Sub-Lieutenant John Hugh Nurse served with the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War Two. Born on 31st January 1921, he was the son of Hugh Nurse and Ethel Senior Nurse (née Woodhouse) of Sockburn, Canterbury, New Zealand.
Hugh and Ethel had another son, Robert William Nurse, younger than John.
From 30th October 1943, John flew with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm 896 Squadron as part of 7th Naval Fighter Wing. His squadron had completed time on HMS Victorious and was training at RNAS Eglinton/HMS Gannet, preparing to leave for HMS Pursuer.
On 19th November 1942, Nurse was the pilot of Grumman Wildcat JV413 when it crashed in shallow water on Lough Foyle, Co. Londonderry. The 22 year old ANZAC pilot died in the accident. The crash occurred on a low flying formation flight in bad weather.
John Hugh Nurse’s grave is in Grave 7 of St. Canice’s Church of Ireland, Faughanvale, Co. Londonderry.