John Raymond Heath
He attended the West Retford School and the Grammar School.
Ray was educated at West Retford Preparatory School, and was afterwards a pupil of Retford Grammar School. He left Retford Grammar School to go to college in order to study for the priesthood, but he decided to enlist first.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
He was the youngest son of John Henry and Daisy Heath of Grove Street, Retford, Nottinghamshire.
Ray was engaged to Miss Joan Powell, of Yarmouth, and it had been intended that they should be married on his next leave.
He took a great interest in the activities of West Retford Church, where he was a choir boy, senior server, and later a teacher in the Sunday School.
His elder brother, George Herbert Heath, had been serving since ten days before the outbreak of war and was a sergeant in the R.A.
Ray also sixteen cousins serving in the war.
Ray Heath joined the Royal Navy on May 16th, 1941, and after three months training at Devonport, he was posted to the “Prince of Wales" and was serving on this battleship when it was attacked and sunk by Japanese bombers off the coast of Malaya.
Ray was among the survivors. He had to the jump 60 feet to reach the sea. After being in the water for about two and a half hours he was picked up and taken back to Singapore.
He was sent back to England (arriving on March 11th, 1941) because he had been recommended for a commission.
After spending 14 days' survivor's leave he was posted to the Tynedale, a "Hunt" class of destroyers.
For 11 months A.B. Heath served on the Tynedale in the Channel. The
Tynedale took part in many actions, including Commando raids, and chased E-boats off the French coast and in the Bay of Biscay. On one occasion the destroyer sank a U-boat. Subsequently, the Tynedale went to the Mediterranean. theatre of war While in this she performed a notable service when a ship was torpedoed; an E.N.S.A, concert party and some 10,000 troops were on board, and all were taken off safely. The Tynedale took part in the invasion of Sicily.
Commemorated by name on the Plymouth Naval MemorialHe also survived the sinking of H.M.S. Prince of Wales by Japanese Bombers. H.M.S. Prince of Wales and H.M.S. Repulse weresunk on 10th December 1941 by Japanese warplanes, about 50 miles from the coast of Kuantan in Malaya. The loss of life was the greatest ever experienced by the Royal Navy in one incident; over 840 officers and men died. (Courtsey of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis)
Unknown
John Raymond Heath commemorated on family grave
Courtesy of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis
John Raymond Heath
All Heath photos: Courtesy of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis
Photo of John Raymond Heath
Photo of John Raymond Heath
Photo of John Raymond Heath