Commander Linton was born in Malpas in 1905.Malpas is a parish of the City of Newport in South Wales.Despite being a Victoria Cross holder many of the residents of the area are unfamiliar with his name and history.In 2004,following a campaign by the local branch of the Royal Naval Association,a city centre pub was renamed after him.
The following is from the paper Navy News:
It will be ‘Up Spirits’ in Wetherspoons’ popular pub in Newport, South Wales, as it is to be renamed the John Wallace Linton, in memory of wartime hero Cdr Linton VC DSO DSC, a local man.
‘Tubby’ Linton was a wartime legend, and there will be many toasts to his memory at the Wetherspoons ceremony, and to the brave crew of the submarine HMS Turbulent, who lost their lives with him in 1943.
It was a member of the Newport branch of the Royal Naval Association (RNA) who came up with the idea of asking Wetherspoons to honour the memory of Cdr Linton by renaming the pub after him.
Supported by the local paper, the South Wales Argus – especially Mike Buckingham – an approach was made to the Wetherspoon Company, and to the delight of all, the response was favourable.
What was surprising, as local interest in Cdr Linton grew, was how few of the people of Newport had heard of him, though the town had erected a memorial in his memory on the bank of the River Usk, although it is somewhat remote and prone to vandalism.
This is how it was reported by the South Wales Argus :
Pub named after VC hero
From the South Wales Argus, first published Monday 23rd Feb 2004.
WITH naval standards snapping in the wind, Newport's former sailors paid tribute to one of their own as the name of Commander John Wallace Linton VC was bestowed upon a Newport pub.
The Wetherspoon's pub in Cambrian Road has been named after Newport's submarine hero - the only Newportonian to win the Victoria Cross during World War Two - after representations from the Newport branch of the Royal Naval Association.
Commander Linton's submarine, HMS Turbulent, was presumed sunk by enemy action in the Mediterranean in 1942 having wreaked havoc with enemy shipping.
All 69 members of the crew, including Commander Linton, who was born at Malpas, were lost.
The Victoria Cross, the highest British award for valour, was awarded for sustained bravery and persistence rather than for an individual act of heroism.
The official naming, and the unveiling of a brass plaque inside the pub was carried out by Newport's Mayor, Councillor Ray Truman.
The standards of the Wales branch of the Submariners' Association were paraded together with those of the Newport branch of the Royal Naval Association and the Newport branch of the Merchant Navy Association.
Frank Batterham, chairman of the Newport branch of the RNA, said: "We are very proud to be here today and grateful to Wetherspoon's who have chosen to honour this hero."
Councillor Truman said: "Even after over 60 years, you can still read about the exploits of Commander Linton on the Internet.
"It is a pleasure to be here today to honour his bravery and that of his crew."
Paul McDonnell, licensee of what is now the The John Wallace Linton, said: "As soon as the Royal Navy veterans told us what they wanted sympathetic bells started ringing.
"Newport is a city with naval traditions and Tubby Linton was the finest.
"I'm proud that our pub should bear his name."
The pub can be found at The Cambrian Centre,Newport.
His many and brilliant successes were due to his constant activity and skill, and the daring which never failed him 
