A plaque in memory of a Royal Marine who lost his life in a diving accident in 1971 was unveiled in Gibraltar on Sunday 29th August. 

A statement from British Forces Gibraltar follows below:

Corporal Johnny Stanworth, from the Royal Marines, lost his life in 1971 at the age of 22 while  diving on Europa Reef. An extensive search by RN Clearance Divers, several RN vessels as  well as Spanish Naval vessels and helicopters took place, but sadly was unsuccessful.  

More than 30 family, friends, veterans and guests gathered at Europa Point for the special  memorial ceremony, which was held exactly 50 years ago to the day he died. 

The project to dedicate the memorial to Johnny has been two years in the making, thanks to the  determination of former diving buddies Tony Ward and Pete Wilkins. 

Tony has spent the last two years getting permission from Gibraltar Government officials, family  members and military bosses, and working through COVID-19 challenges, to get the green light  for the memorial. 

Tony, 74 from Northampton, said: “In 1968 I was on the same swimmer/canoeist course as Johnny and I had a lot of respect for him. He would have gone far in the Royal Marines. Johnny  was awarded the Kings Badge at the age of 18 in his Royal Marines Commando training. 

“Back in 2019 his friend Pete Wilkins mentioned that there is no grave or memorial for Johnny on  the Rock. 

“We agreed that it was about time something was done to rectify that, and, perhaps a memorial  plaque in Gibraltar might be appropriate.”