John Waldegrave

Who was John Waldegrave?

Commander John Montagu Granville Waldegrave, DSC was a British naval commander during World War II.

Waldegrave was the eldest son of the 5th Baron Radstock. He commanded the cruiser HMS Vindictive 1938–1939, and the sloop HMS Puffin in 1939. He was awarded the DSC for anti-submarine work performed while commanding the Puffin.

On 29 June 1940, he married Lady Hersey Boyle, the second daughter of the retired navy man, the 8th Earl of Glasgow, and they had two daughters:

Hon. Horatia Marion Waldegrave, married Oliver John Diggle and had three children Rowena Mary Diggle, John Wyndham Hugh Diggle and Emma Georgiana Diggle

Hon. Griselda Hyacinthe Waldegrave, married and had issue

From 1942–1943, he served in the Operations Division, attached to shore station HMS President. On 6 September 1943, he was assigned to the cruiser HMS Penelope as executive officer. On 18 February 1944, Penelope was torpedoed by U-410 while returning from Anzio and Cmdr. Waldegrave was lost with the ship.