‘Human minesweeper’ – Second World War hero diver dies aged 98

A hero diver who cleared hundreds of mines, bombs and booby traps from Nazi-occupied harbours has died at 98. “Human minesweeper” Able Seaman John Payne is believed to be the last member of the Royal Navy’s ­P Parties that searched in cold, murky waters for explosives.

Their crucial efforts opened up Cherbourg and Antwerp to Navy ships, allowing vital supplies to reach Second World War Allied forces fighting towards Germany.

Able Seaman Payne, who grew up in Lancing, West Sussex, was awarded the British Empire Medal for gallantry. The P, or Ports Parties, were effectively human minesweepers, and one of the most highly decorated units of the War.

The work was dangerous and ­in Rouen the Germans tied mines to every crane on the quay so they would explode when they fell in the water.

One time, Able Seaman Payne took out the detonators of ­an unexploded ordnance with just a spanner while he also made safe a V1 rocket.

Able Seaman Payne and his fellow divers contended with floating mines as they cleared Rouen, Dunkirk and the Belgian port of Antwerp.

He recalled: “We worked all day, ­diving sometimes twice a day, depending on the harbour and the job to do.”

Once the Allies crossed the Rhine in March 1945, he helped clear Bremen with “the most mines of all the ports”. John is survived by his wife Jill, daughter Sheila and stepsons Nick and David.

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