From the web site of The World Ship Society

HAVERS, JOHN SOMERSET (1920 – 2011)  

It is with great sadness that the Southampton Branch reports the death of John Havers at the age of 91, who passed away peacefully on 15th October [2011] in Cardiff.  John loved ships and one of his early diaries records more than ten major liners being visited in just four months at the start of 1935.  

Serving in the RNVR during the War, he was based in Colombo, Suez and Crete, as well as Southampton, Tilbury, Liverpool and South Wales ports.  After the War, John joined Union-Castle and became purser on Carnarvon Castle from 1946 until 1960, a ship he had first visited when new in 1926!

John was Vice-Chairman of the WSS Southampton Branch from 1972-74 and Chairman of the Branch from October 1974 until October 1985.  The Branch was privileged that John was able to attend the Branch Diamond Jubilee lunch on P&O’s Oceana in October 2010.  John was also a founder-member of the Solent Maritime Society, immediately becoming Vice-Chairman and in 1970 became Chairman, a position he held until the end of 1999.