Born at Rookery Farm, Green Ore, his family moved in 1937 to Croft Farm. A keen cricketer, he played for Wells Catherdral School in 1937. He was a farmer and thus in a reserved occupation during the war.
In 1946 he married Audrey Price, daughter of the licensee of the Crown Hotel in Wells. They had 2 children, 5 grandchildren and by the time of his death, 5 greatgrandchildren. He played cricket for Wells Wednesday XI becoming captain in 1965 and was a life long Bristol City Football Club fan. As a member of Mendip Ploughing Society he eventually became a committee member. He was a committed Christian being a chorister, church warden for 15 years and Parish Church Council member for 22 years.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Ore (Wells) Patrol | Patrol member | 01 Apr 1941 | 31 Dec 1944 |
Wells Cathedral School
Dairy farmer
Having joined Auxiliary Units at 17 years of age, John Sealy was frustrated in his ambition to join the RAF. He was accepted as aircrew, but was returned to the farm once identified as an Auxilier, this being considered more important. He was sworn to secrecy and only told his parents he was in the ordinary Home Guard, only revealing his true role to them in 1945, having kept the secret to protect them from the risk of torture after an invasion. He had to pretend throughout the war that he was a "plain old farm lad with a Home Guard uniform", despite being highly trained and heavily armed. However, in 1996 he had a his moment of glory when his story was recounted in a number of local and national newspapers, resulting in TV appearances as well as mentions in a number of books. He was proud to tell his story and enjoyed being interviewed.
John kept a number of mementos of his Auxiliary Units service, including his stand down letters, Home Guard service certificate, the badges from his uniform and a pair of the powerful magnets used to attach explosives to vehicles and fuel storage tanks. He also received a leather wallet from the other patrol members which was marked as being from 303 Patrol (though they were actually in 203 Battalion - it is unclear if this was a mistake or further secrecy!). He was awarded the Defence Medal and kept it in the box it was sent in.
On 15 Dec 1945 the Wells Group of Somerset Auxiliers had a stand down meal at the Bekynton Cafe in Wells. The men are listed in their Patrols. Frank is listed as a member that was not involved from formation.
https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/sealy/2899096
Daily Mail 7 Sep 1996
Western Daily Press 7 Sep 1996
Daily Express 7 Sep 1996
Wells stand down menu
The Sealy Family