A GROUP gathered on the banks of the River Usk in Newport today to remember a Gwent wartime hero.

Malpas-born John Wallace Linton VC was killed when the HMS Turbulent sank off the coast of Sardinia in March 1943, after it was hit by a depth charge.

Commander ‘Tubby’ Linton, who was well-known throughout the submarine service for his determination, died along with his crew, almost certainly as a result of Italian depth-charging. The ill-fated submarine went down sometime between March 13 and 18.

A short service, led by Father Edwards Mathias-Jones, Vicar of St Stephen’s Church in Pill and Honourable Chaplain to the Newport branch of the Royal Naval Association, was held by the memorial which is next to the Riverfront.

A wreath decorated with poppies was then thrown from Newport Bridge into the river following the service.

Among those to attend the annual memorial service were representatives from the Newport branch of the Royal Naval Association, the Merchant Navy Association and the Royal Welsh Comrades Association.

Doug Piddington, from the Royal Naval Association’s Newport branch said it is important that Commander Linton and the 54 crew members who lost their lives are remembered.

Grant Harvey, from the Royal Welsh Comrades Association said Commander Linton is believed to be the only person to be awarded a VC honour in Newport and that the memorial ‘honours a hero.’

Also in attendance were Newport’s Mayor Councillor Herbie Thomas and Jayne Bryant, the prospective Labour AM candidate for Newport West.

Cllr Thomas said: “A lot of men lost their lives on that day. This is an ideal tribute to a Newport man and it is only right that we remember a hero of our city.”