John Love was born on 22nd November 1881 in the Devon village of Axmouth. The third of ten children, his parents were Samuel and Alice Love. Samuel was an agricultural labourer, and, on completing his schooling, his son initially followed the same path.
John sought out a longer term career for himself, however, and, on 4th March 1897, he joined the Royal Navy. Sent to HMS Boscawen, the training base in Portland, Dorset, he was too young to formally enlist, and so was given the rank of Boy 2nd Class.
Young John seemed to learn the tools of his trade quickly, as he was promoted to Boy 1st Class after just nine months. In February 1898, he was given his first sea-going assignment, on board the frigate HMS Minotaur and, over the next eighteen months, he went on to serve on board two further vessels: the cruiser HMS Melampus, and the screw sloop HMS Melita.
It was while he was attached to Melita that John came of age. Now formally inducted into the Royal Navy, he was given the rank of Ordinary Seaman. His service records show that he was 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall, and had light hair, blue eyes and a fresh complexion.
Again, it seems that John impressed his superiors as, in August 1900, he was promoted to Able Seaman. Having signed up for a period of twelve years, he went on to serve on board seven further ships, and had three stints at HMS Defiance, the torpedo training school in Devonport. The town’s dockyard, HMS Vivid, became a home-from-home, and was the base to which Able Seaman Love returned in between sea voyages.
John received a further promotion in October 1910, and, when the now Leading Seaman Love’s initial contract came to an end a year later, he re-enlisted without any hesitation.
According to his annual reviews, Leading Seaman Love regularly showed a very good character, but his ability slowly began to fall, from superior in 1911, to satisfactory in 1912-1914, and moderate from 1915 onwards. His service papers do not given any evidence to support this drop, but it may back up his regular stints at HMS Defiance. What may have been initial promise seems not to have born fruit as John’s time progressed.
From August 1916, Leading Seaman Love remained landlocked, and he spent the next nine months in Devonport. His records suggest that his health was beginning to suffer and, on 23rd May 1917, he was medically discharged from the navy. The reason for his discharge was recorded as sunstroke, but it seems likely that there were additional health conditions relating to his return to civilian life.
At this point, John’s trail goes cold. It seems likely that he returned home as, on 15th January 1919, he passed away in the St Thomas’ registration district, which covered the area around Exmouth.
John Love was 37 years of age when he passed away. His body was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Michael’s Church, Axmouth, not far from where his family were still living.
