Veteran John dies aged 98

Local World War Two veteran John Summerson has died.

Royal Air Force veteran John passed away on March 12, aged 98, at Stonehaven Care Home, Quadring.

John was born in Donington in 1922 and served in the Royal Air Force during WWII with the Desert Rats in Syria.

He spent many years working as chief cashier with the Water Board in Spalding before taking early retirement.

He spent much of his spare time supporting charities, in particular Soldier, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) where he was a caseworker, assistant secretary, treasurer and fundraiser and was awarded Honorary Life Membership in 2007.

Over 25 years ago John became involved with fundraising for the Anglia Motel where the owner, Harold Payne, started the Normandy Veterans Association, which raises money for local service units along with fundraising to take veterans back to Normandy.

He had great pride in attending events that Harold and his team organised, in particular attending the emotive annual commemorations held in Normandy, the most recent being the 75th Anniversary in 2019.

John was widower of Pearl and stepfather to David.

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