Lt Cdr John Sephton DSC - not forgotten

[November4]

Just seen this on the Book of Face. A lady posted a photo and text on the CWGC pages.

A lonely memorial next to a local cricket pitch has all but been forgotten. Remembering a very courageous pilot.

In 2007 I made a concious effort to look after it once a year. This year, 2012, it is so waterlogged that I am unable to trim it.

As the photo is large and messes up the screen, click here (https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/665124_10151297555241458_1935249732_o.jpg) to see the plaque

Extracted from the London Gazette 8 October 1982

The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the Posthumous award of the Distinguished Service Cross to the undermentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the operations in the South Atlantic:

Distinguished Service Cross

Lieutenant Commander John Murray SEPHTON, Royal Navy.

On 21st May 1982, HMS ARDENT on station in San Carlos Water came under heavy attack from the Argentine Air Force and sustained many bomb hits, causing great damage and loss of life. After the loss of the Seacat missile system, Lieutenant Commander Sephton, the Flight Commander organised the use of small arms by the Flight as a last ditch defence against the concentrated and severe enemy attacks. In a dangerous and desperate situation he was last seen directing fire on the exposed Flight Deck, shooting a sub machine gun vertically up into an A4 Skyhawk the instant before, it dropped the bombs that killed him. Three other Flight members were also killed. Lieutenant Commander Sephton's extreme valour and self-sacrifice was an example and inspiration to all the Ship's Company and undoubtedly deterred the enemy from making even more attacks.

[Wander00]

Bartley is where, geographically?

[airborne_artist]

Bartley is in the New Forest due W of Southampton.

Map (https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-aurora&channel=rcs&q=Bartley&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x487389613b7eecef:0x4eb87e987d1a5270,Bartley,+Hampshi re&gl=uk&ei=7lKaUO7KIoXH0QWE9oCwDA&ved=0CG4QtgM)

[Wander00]

OK - I have an idea. My son did the Public Services Uniformed National Diploma instead of A levels at Brockenhurst College in the New Forest. They have big "Service" connections on the course which still runs. I would be happy if thought a good idea to suggest to the course orgainsers that students might take on the upkeep of the plaque as a Community Service project. Views?

[orca]

Seems like a good idea to me.

I remember reading of Lt Cdr Sephton as a child, the story doesn't get any less humbling does it?

[Wander00]

I have sent the thread to a member of staff at Brockenhurst - we will await developments.

[peppermint_jam]

Enjoyed reading of his bravery, thanks for sharing, I'd not heard his name previosly.

[November4]

Link to the original photo (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151297555241458&set=o.135034996093&type=1&theater) and the lady who has been looking after the memorial.

She does say on that page

... it's a small memorial, I'm happy to do it, pair of shears and a small knife and it's done.

[500N]

"Enjoyed reading of his bravery, thanks for sharing,
I'd not heard his name previously."

Agree.

In having read heaps on the Falklands and Ardent, had never seen his name mentioned or what he and the others did.

Great to see this sort of thing still exists.

RIP

[seadrills]

"Enjoyed reading of his bravery, thanks for sharing,
I'd not heard his name previously."

Agree.

In having read heaps on the Falklands and Ardent, had never seen his name mentioned or what he and the others did.

Great to see this sort of thing still exists.

RIP

The sad aspect to this story is that the Fleet Air Arm are about to celebrate the Battle of Taranto and yet we do
not celebrate any of the events which took place just 30 years ago. If you we're to ask anyone in the Lynx community today not one would have any idea who John Sephton was.

[Charlie Time]

Thankfully that is not true seadrills.

[500N]

I just re read the story of the attacks on the Ardent web site
and others and even that didn't mention his actions that day.

I had heard and read the story of the civvy canteen manager
being made a Petty Officer so he could man a GPMG but
nothing about the Fleet Air Arm actions.


Anyway, it's very pleasing to see someone still takes
the time to tend the site.
.

[seadrills]

Thankfully that is not true seadrills.

Well one might but he is now a QFI so doesn't count - no, sadly I'm sure most if the current community couldn't even tell you which Squadrons were involved in 1982.

[Charlie Time]

Just because the Lynx community won't have served with John Sephton doesn't necessarily mean he is unknown to them. He is still commemorated within 815 NAS and especially by those lucky enough to have been members, albeit a few years later, of the Type 21 club.

[david parry]

Quote Hms Ardent....Two Skyhawks attacked together, dropping 500lb bombs on her aft section, she was on fire and making smoke, with her aft Sea cat launcher,and 4.5 in gun out of action, there was little more Ardent could do,except steam away to the protection of San Carlos waters. Her crew were not yet finished!! A group of 5 led by LT/CDR John Sephton grabbed small arms,and bolted machine guns to the rails. They were hit again by Skyhawks and Sephton was killed, three Skyhawks come in over the stern and placed a trio of 500lbs bombs causing more severe damage. One small gun remained in action manned by the civilian NAAFI manager 33 year old John Leake. By the end of the day, he was credited with one confirmed kill (Mirage) and one probable

[Union Jack]

I had heard and read the story of the civvy canteen manager
being made a Petty Officer so he could man a GPMG but
nothing about the Fleet Air Arm actions.

Further to John Sephton's outstanding bravery, here's a link to put John Leake's own bravery (and his transfer from "Canman" to Petty Officer) into better context John Leake (DSM) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Leake_%28DSM%29) His former Army service clearly stood him in very good stead.:ok:

Jack

[500N]

Interesting reading. I think once you learn to strip, use and carry out IA's on an M60, SLR etc blindfolded, you never lose it !

[Wander00]

Hi Guys and Girls - Brockenhurst College Public Services Uniformed course staff know of this memorial and the amazing bravery behind it. They will not interfere, but would be happy to be more active in the future if necessary.

[Mick Strigg]

Seadrills, you say "yet we do not celebrate any of the events which took place just 30 years ago."

Were you not at the Yeovilton Falklands 30 Mess Dinner earlier in the year then? The Lynx community was!

[seadrills]

Yep - I was there and I'm looking forward to the next time we celebrate this important part of FAA history in 2032.


Why do we have to wait so long? Why have we stopped celebrating that famous battle in Indonesia?

[orca]

I think this thread is a very simple bit of evidence to suggest we do remember, but we are in a bit of a pickle because there are simply so many acts of staggering gallantry in our history that you can't have a dinner for them all.

We could have dinners or some form of celebrations for everything from Konigsberg, Channel Dash, Bismark, Palembang, Borneo, Falklands, Gulf Wars 1 and 2...perhaps former Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland...each of which would have a resonance with a particular community.

If you feel that you belong to a community that could do a better job of remembering their heritage then simply suggest a way of improving it to the CO. How about a history room, or pictures of medal winners on the walls with citations....all of which I thought was SOP....perhaps not. I personally can't believe the lynx community has forgotten who went down south - and even if they did the museum is only 400 yards from 702 and 815...so a little project for the next OFT course could right that wrong in minutes!

I'm sure we do a reasonable job of remembering that whilst we toast the 42 Men Of Taranto we call to mind all those that have gone into battle with wings of gold on their (figurative) sleeve. (And all the bootnecks - including Capt Patch RM who wear their wings...errr...somewhere else...I think...);)

[Ann Davey]

I knew John in Southampton back in the sixties At that time he was at Agricultural college.I saw his picture in a newspaper and an article about his death on HMS Ardent. RIP JOHN

[Fly3]

I served with John at Portland back in the 70's and have fond memories of great parties at his place on Portland Bill. IIRC his observer "Spud" Murphy was also killed in the incident. Both great guys and sadly missed.

[Medmerry]

I knew John in Southampton back in the sixties At that time he was at Agricultural college.I saw his picture in a newspaper and an article about his death on HMS Ardent. RIP JOHN
I maintained the helicopter for 6 months or so. I think he was in the poultry business for a while and joined up just before he would have been over-age, about 25 years old. I've little doubt that he loved his job in the RN.

[Medmerry]

I served with John at Portland back in the 70's and have fond memories of great parties at his place on Portland Bill. IIRC his observer "Spud" Murphy was also killed in the incident. Both great guys and sadly missed.
I maintained the Lynx for a while and John was my boss. I'm sure he loved his job in the RN and would have made commander. Brian Murphy was also killed, he joined as an artificer apprentice.

[Medmerry]

Dad used to play for Bartley Cricket Club and was told that John Sephton played a few games for them. I was at the tree planting in 1982, attended by John's parents.