Commander John Simon Kerans DSO (30 June 1915 – 12 September 1985) was an officer in the Royal Navy and later a Conservative Party politician.

He is also the author of the 1964 book The World's Greatest Sea Adventures, Publisher: Odhams Books Ltd.[1] As Assistant British Naval Attaché in then Nanking, China in 1949, Lieutenant-Commander Kerans took command of HMS Amethyst when the ship came under fire on the Yangtze River during the final stages of the Chinese Civil War after the captain and 16 others were killed in the shelling.

[2] The ship was detained for ten weeks during negotiations for its release, until Kerans led a night-time escape.

His remains are interred in the churchyard of St Peters, Tandridge and the grave can be found in the eastern side near the boundary wall.

The photo left was on the 75th anniversary memorial service 2024 with wreaths laid by The Royal Naval Association Reigate, The Oxted Branch Royal British Legion and Reigate Sea Cadets.