South Yorkshire Times, September 30th 1944
Prisoner Of War
Leading Seaman John Booth (24), R.N. of 20 Avenue Road, Wath, who was reported missing from operations off the Dutch coast 11 weeks ago is a prisoner of war in German hands.
The first news of his capture came over the German radio in which he himself broadcast a short message to his wife. A Wath man heard the broadcast and Mrs. Booth was given the message the day after her second wedding anniversary. Since then, she has received letters from all over the country and has had numerous callers bringing the good news.
Leading Seaman Booth, who has been in the Navy for four years, served for four years in a destroyer on foreign service and was in the action in which the Ark Royal was sunk. He had served for about two years in motor torpedo boats when his ship was sunk.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Booth of 16 Foundry Lane, Mexborough.