Based on the comments on the relevant Naval losses of the day, the need for unity during war times and given RKs obvious commitment to making sure that the loss to some is properly represented in writing as a focal point for remembering the loss to everyone (e.g. unknown soldier) being remembered within the context of a collective sacrifice for freedom and Empire, I think the extension from John to Jack IKipling) to Jack as meaning 'Jack Tar' (who after all is the Tommy Atkins of the "Senior Service" and maybe preceded him by centuries), would be instantly related to a suffering family member and, possibly more importantly, to the general public.
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