On Tower Hill Memorial is the name of Sailor John William Shreeve serving on S.S. Avonwood (Middlesbrough), with the Merchant Navy who died 12/12/1942.

John William Shreeve was born in Jarrow in 1921. It is probable he was the son of Louis Shreeve and Florence Cable. The couple had a number of children all registered at South Shields between 1919 and 1933. By 1939 Florence with some of her children was living at 95d Talfourd Road, Peckham. Southwark, Camberwell London.

John William married Maud A. Winter in 1942. Records give an address 25 Cancell Street, Brixton London.

STATEMENT relating to the death of J. Shreeve of the S/S Avonwood survivor ex Avonwood, picked up by S/S Ethylene on which vessel he died (before landing) Corpse conveyed to Royal Jubilee Infirmary, North Shields where he was certified dead.
I, Lawrence Bruce Anderson, (36yrs) Master S/S Ethylene, Braemore, Stockton Road, Seaham Co. Durham do solemnly and sincerely declare that at about 10-30 p.m. on Saturday, 12th December, 1942,while proceeding in convoy with other ships, the convoy having been attacked by E Boats and certain of the ships sunk, my lifeboats ,having been manned and taking part in rescue work, were successful in rescuing 13 seamen, 6 of them from the Norwegian Vessel Marianne and 7 from Avonmore. I made the rescued men comfortable as possible and all seemed to be going well with them when an A.B. ex Avonwood named Shreeve suddenly collapsed and fell in the forecastle where he was preparing to go to bed. On being advised of this happening I gave the second Mate a bottle of rum and asked that artificial respiration should be tried. This was not successful as the man had passed away.
I can only assume that he collapsed and died from heart Failure due to shock and exposure while in the water after his ship had been torpedoed.
Everything that could be done was done but without success, he turned a bluey yellowish colour.
Sgd. LB Anderson Declarant 14/12/42

The Wartimes Memories Project say he was buried in Tooting Cemetery.

John William Shreeve is remembered at Hartlepool on H115.16