Telegraph obituary for last known 'P' Party diver Johnny Payne BEM
12 May 2023 - As ever, I am grateful to Telegraph naval obituarist Capt Peter Hore RN for agreeing to pen this obituary for Johnny Payne BEM, the last known ‘Second World War ‘P’ Party diver. These divers were the pioneers of what became the RN Clearance Diving branch.
Over the past few years, Peter has been extremely cooperative in writing tributes to members of our small community for publication in the Daily Telegraph. Other examples have included (in alphabetical order):
Cdr Philip Arthur Balink-White MBE RN
Lt Cdr Brian Dutton DSO QGM RN
Lt Cdr 'Uncle Bill' Filer MBE GM RN
Lt Cdr Ian Fraser VC DSC RD* RNR
Lt Cdr John ‘Futch’ Futcher MBE RN
Surgeon Vice Admiral Sir John 'Jab' Harrison
Surgeon Vice Admiral Sir John 'Doc' Rawlins KBE, FRCP, FRAeS
Lt Cdr 'Robbie' Robinson MBE RN
Lt Arthur 'Bubs' Russell MBE RNVR