Born in Byrnestown, Queensland, Australia on 20 May 1919, John was the son of Robert and Dorothy Boyd. John was educated at Gatton College in Queensland and worked as a jackaroo on a farm before enlisting in the Royal Australian Air Force in October 1940. He was sent to Canada to train as a fighter pilot and received his wings in June 1941.

John was posted to Malta and flew Hurricane and Spitfire fighter aircraft with 185 Squadron. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal on 1 May 1942 for courage and leadership after shooting down several enemy aircraft and was promoted to Pilot Officer. He was killed during a dog fight with a German ME.109 fighter plane two weeks later. He was 22 years old.

He was laid to rest in CWGC Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery.

SECOND WORLD WAR CONTENTS:

COMING SOON!

• Profiles People

• Living through Conflict

• A Fight For Freedom

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission Stories

• Commemoration and Legacy 

• Artistic Responses to Conflict

RELATED CONTENT:

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission

• Commonwealth Stories