John Peter Houghton Stratton (1926-1946)

Second World War Roll of Honour

John Peter Houghton Stratton was born in South London on 7 September 1926, the son of James Joseph Houghton Stratton, a sales manager, and Dorothy Violet (née Abbott) Stratton of 18 Berceau Walk, Watford. He was educated at Watford Grammar School before matriculating at Downing College as an RAF Cadet in October 1944, probably studying in College for two terms, and played rugby for the College. After enlisting in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, he was selected for pilot training and attached to No. 19 Flying Training Squadron.

On 18 January 1946, John Stratton and his flying instructor, Flying Officer Philip Hunter Wattleworth, took off from RAF Cranwell in Harvard Mk IIb FX228 for a training flight. During the exercise, the aircraft was in the circuit at Cranwell in foggy weather conditions when it was in collision with Harvard Mk IIb FT173 from the same unit. The aircraft crashed, killing John Stratton and seriously injuring Philip Wattleworth, who died from his injuries the following day.   

John Stratton, Aircraftman 2nd Class, was killed on active service on 18 January 1946, aged 19. He is buried at St Andrew's Church in Cranwell.