CROWDS gathered yesterday to pay their respects to a Gwent wartime hero on the 66th anniversary of his death.

Malpas-born John Wallace Linton VC and his crew were killed when the HMS Turbulent sunk in the Mediterranean in 1943.

Commander “Tubby” Linton, who was renowned through the submarine service for his coolness and determination, died along with his crew almost certainly as a result of Italian depth-charging.

A minute’s silence was held and wreaths were laid at a memorial yesterday, during an annual ceremony commemorating the lives of those who died.