H.M.S. Northney was a shore base on Hayling Island, near Portsmouth, which was used to train Landing Craft and Combined Operations personnel.

On 10th July 1943, following the successful conclusion of the North African campaign in mid May, a combined allied force of 160,000 commonwealth and American troops invaded Sicily (operation Husky) as a prelude to the assault on mainland Italy. The commonwealth forces made their landings in the south-east corner of the island between Pachina and Syracuse, and the majority of those buried in Syracuse War Cemetery died during the landings or in the early stages of the campaign.

In the Royal Navy casualty lists for 10th July 1943 Ian Graham is recorded as having died by drowning. It is most likely that he was part of the crew of a landing craft or small motor vessel involved in the landing of troops when he was drowned.

His body was recovered and he is buried in Syracuse War Cemetery.

Perthshire Advertiser, July 1943

“Able Seaman Maurice Graham, younger son of Mrs Graham, Cordon Mains, Abernethy, officially stated to have been drowned while on service. He was twenty years of age.”

Ian Graham is also commemorated on the Abernethy War Memorial.