John Gillam Bunn grew up in Chelmsford where he was educated at the grammar school. After leaving there he worked for a firm of accountants in the town before joining the R.A.F. when aged 18. After training in South AFrica he saw service in Malta and it was there he was killed in June 1944. His home was in Wood Street, Chelmsford.

John was born in 1923, the only son of Frederick Charles Bunn (1894-1973) and Phyllis Ellen Bunn (nee Gillam) (1895-1982). John's father had been born in Winchester, Hampshire in 1894; his mother in Bocking the following year.

His parents had married in Braintree on 18th May 1918. At the time John’s father was a 23 year-old soldier living in Blackdown Camp in Hampshire. Frederick’s bride was aged 22 and lived at 111 South Street in Braintree.

John was followed by two younger sisters.

The family had moved to Hendly in Wood Street, Chelmsford by 1928.

John was educated at King Edward VI's Grammar School in Chelmsford and obtained the University of London General School Examination Certficate with Matriculation in 1939. He subsequently worked for the accountants  Messrs Luckin & Sheldrake in Chelmsford. He was fond of athletics and a keen tennis player.

When aged 18 John joined the Royal Air Force (Volunteer Reserve). He trained in South Africa and saw service with 108 Squadron squadron, a night fighter squadron in England and in north Africa, flying Beaufighters. He went to Malta in 1944 but lost his life there within a few weeks on active service on 18th June 1944 along with his pilot, Sergeant 570681 Kenneth Firth. John was aged 21 and was serving as Sergeant (Navigator) 1612957 when killed.

At the time of his death John's parents were living at 152 Wood Street, Chelmsford.

Today John lies at Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery in Malta (Prot. Sec. (Men's). Plot F. Coll. grave 51.) along with Kenneth Firth.

John is commemorated on the King Edward VI's Grammar School War Memorial.

John left an estate valued at £213 0s. 8d.

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