Ordinary Seaman Mervyn Waldron Johnson
Royal Naval Patrol Service, HMS Europa LT/JX 222378
Date of Birth: 27th of February 1906
Place of Birth: Dawlish, Devon
Date of Death: Died 16th of October 1940, aged 34
Buried: Teignmouth Old Cemetery, plot CC83
Awarded the 1939-1945 Star and the War Medal 1939-1945
Mervyn Waldron Johnson was born on the 27th of February 1906 to parents Albert Edward and Alice Johnson (née Medland) of Teignmouth, Devon.
In 1911, the Johnson family were living at 42, Northumberland Place, Teignmouth, Devon. Olive Medland, 1889, sister of Alice, was staying with the family.
| Norman Johnson, 1895 | Alec Johnson, 1899 |
| Greta Johnson, 1900 | Mervyn Waldron Johnson, 1906 |
In the 4th quarter of 1930, Mervyn married Rose Edith Cull of Higher Blagdon, near Paignton, Devon.
In the 1939 census, Mervyn and Rose were living at 31, Daimonds Lane, Teignmouth, Devon. Mervyn was a Postman Driver.
HMS Europa
In the summer of 1939, the Admiralty purchased 67 trawlers with a further 20 newly constructed and at the outbreak of WW2, every available minesweeper of the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Patrol Service was at her war station.
HMS Europa - This plaque was given to the memory of those who served in the Royal Naval Patrol Service in all parts of the world on minesweeping and anti-submarine duties and to those who gave their lives in this cause during World War III (1939 - 1945) "Lord hear us when we call to thee for those in peril on the sea" Doug Ireland WMR 5010
HMS Europa, usually known as Sparrow's Nest, became the Central Depot of the Royal Naval Patrol Service, located at Lowestoft, the most easterly point of Great Britain, and then the closest British military establishment to the enemy until decommissioned in 1946.
HMS Europa is the training school for men of the Royal Navy's auxiliary patrol service - © IWM (A 1941)
Mervyn Waldron Johnson was killed by enemy action on the 16th of October 1940, aged 34. The naval death report indicated that he was either;
- Killed in action
- Died of wounds or disease following wounds
- Missing after action and subsequently presumed killed in action
- Killed
- Died of wounds or exposure
- Died of disease following wounds or exposure
- Drowned Missing and subsequently presumed killed or drowned following loss of a ship in action, by mine or torpedo.
Inscription - In loving memory of my devoted husband Mervyn Waldron Johnson who was killed through enemy action Oct. 16th 1940, aged 34. Loved by all.
