James Thomas Bolton

James was born on 18th September 1915 in Wroxall, Warwickshire. A former policeman, James joined the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman on 26th August, 1942, one month short of his 27th birthday. Following his general naval and specialist training at Torpoint, Campbeltown and Dunoon, James was deployed to HMS Scorpion (G72), a brand spanking new S Class Destroyer in April 1943. Over the next 18 months Scorpion (and James) successfully completed a total of seven convoys to/from Murmansk and Arkangelsk. In December 1943, Scorpion played a significant part in the sinking of German battleship Scharnhorst at the Battle of North Cape. Scharnhorst and five German destroyers left their base in Norway with intent to attack Convoys RA55A and JW55B. The German ships scattered, searching for the convoy shipping. Scharnhorst was pursued and engaged by warships of the Home Fleet, including Scorpion. At least one of Scorpion’s torpedoes struck Scharnhorst. On 26th December 1943, Scharnhorst succumbed and she capsized. Scorpion rescued 30 of only 36 survivors from Scharnhorst that night. In June 1944, Scorpion escorted minesweepers and convoys bound for Sword Beach as part of the Normandy Landings. James left service aboard Scorpion and therefore Artic Convoy duties on 21st October 1944. He left service 4th September 1945. James died and was buried at Wroxall in 1977.