A VETERAN has asked that we shall not forget the memory of one of the youngest men to die for his country in the Second World War.

The body of John Ostrich, originally from Cardiff, rests in Penzance cemetery. He was killed in 1941 while serving with the merchant navy aboard the SS Margo. He was 14 years and 344 days old.

On the afternoon of March 8, 1941, while sailing on the English Channel, his boat came under attack from three German aircraft.

They raked the ship with machine gun fire, cannons and bombs. While no explosives hit the Margo, her hull was damaged.

Crew members returned fire with small calibre weapons onboard the Margo, hitting one of their attackers. But the remaining aircraft continued to fire on the boat for the next few minutes before disappearing over the horizon.

While assessing the ship's damage the crew found their young mess room boy dead.

A course was set for Penzance to land the body and the wounded ashore.

Archie Richards, a former serviceman with the Royal Navy, who notified The Cornishman of the grave, said: "I don't want this to be a competition for who has the youngest war dead. I just want to let people know that a 14-year-old died for his country and lies here." His final resting place is sited across a path from other war graves, meaning John Ostrich is separated from fallen comrades . Mr Richards added: "I also hope that maybe a family member might come across this and want to visit the grave."

For years, he said, the Royal Navy Association held a service at the war memorial in Penzance cemetery and members had wondered about this boy who died a man.

Recent government acknowledgement now allows Merchant Navy veterans to stand alongside armed forces personnel and their efforts and achievements in time of war have been recognised as an important part in winning the war

A book They Shall Grow Not Old by Billy McGee is dedicated to more than 500 boys aged under 16 who died in service with the Merchant Navy during the Second World War.

It is only available from the author who can be contacted on billy1963@ntlworld.com