WWII veteran John passes away in Quadring care home

Former World War II Royal Air Force veteran John Summerson has passed away.

The 98-year-old died at Stonehaven Care Home in Quadring on Friday 12.

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.

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

John became involved with fundraising for the Anglia Motel in Fleet more than 25 years ago, where owner Harold Payne, started the Normandy Veterans Association, raising money for local service units along with fundraising to take veterans back to Normandy.

He took 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.