John Lee Machin
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John Lee Machin, the elder son of the late Mr and Mrs George Vessey and Grace Machin, who formerly lived at Worksop and Green Mile, Babworth, Retford, afterwards removing to Usselby Hall, Lincs.
He entered the Navy on 15th May 1916, aged 13.
He was a Midshipman with Seniority on 15th May 1920. He was promoted to Acting Sub-Lieutenant in September 1922. From January to August of the following year, he trained at the RN College in Greenwich. He was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant with seniority on 15th June 1923. From March 1924 through January 1925 he served aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Montrose. His next promotion, to Lieutenant, came on 15th June 1925. He served aboard the cruiser H.M.S. Centaur from August 1926 to July 1927. He served aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Velox from January 1928 to August 1929.
That October, he was transferred to the destroyer H.M.S. Walpole. He served as her First Lieutenant until February 1931.
From January 1932 to January 1934, he served as First Lieutenant aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Cygnet. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander during this assignment (15 June 1933). His next assignment was as Commanding Officer of the destroyer H.M.S. Rowena from October 1934 to July 1935.
From August 1936 to February 1937, he served as the Commanding Officer of the destroyer H.M.S. Diana in the China Station. He was assigned to H.M.S. Victory, RN Barracks, Portsmouth from February-August 1939. He was then assigned as the Commanding Officer of the destroyer H.M.S. Kelvin from October 1939 to June 1940. His final assignment was to the battle cruiser H.M.S. Hood in late July 1940. He was killed in action aboard Hood on the morning of 24th May 1941.
Research by Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis.
Unknown
Photo of John Lee Machin
Loss of John Lee Machin. Source unknown.
Photo: Courtesy of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis
Loss of John Lee Machin. Source unknown.
Photo: Courtesy of Michael and Elizabeth Szarelis