Last Dambuster’s memory of 1943 raid still vivid as he collects MBE from Queen

BRITAIN’S last surviving Dambuster said his memories of the bombing raids on Germany will last forever as he collected an MBE from the Queen.

Squadron Leader George Leonard ‘Johnny’ Johnson (95) was part of Royal Air Force 617 Squadron, which conducted a night of raids on German dams in 1943 in an effort to disable Hitler’s industrial heartland.

After collecting his gong at Buckingham Palace for services to the Second World War remembrance and the community in Bristol, he said he was indebted to the thousands of people who signed a petition calling for his wartime service to be recognised.

TV presenter Carol Vorderman launched a petition to get Mr Johnson a knighthood, branding the decision to leave him off the list “disgraceful” after finding out that he had been nominated in 2015.

She marched to Westminster in January to hand-deliver the petition containing 235,000 signatures to 10 Downing Street, alongside RAF Gulf War veteran John Nichol.

Mr Johnson said: “I’m glad it’s over but very much appreciative. Apart from everything else I’m very grateful to all those people who signed that petition, particularly Carol Vorderman and John Nichol. The outcome for me is very gratifying for me, it really is.”

He said he was also grateful to campaigner Paul Walmsley, who wrote to the Queen on his behalf.

Collecting his award, Mr Johnson said the Queen told him: “Glad to see the Dambusters are still here.”

On May 16 and 17 1943, a total of 133 Allied aircrew left for the raid aboard 19 Lancaster bombers, carrying Barnes Wallis’s specially-adapted bouncing bombs — that looked like “glorified dustbins”, according to Mr Johnson — led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson.

Fifty-three men were killed and three were captured.

Mr Johnson said he still has “strong memories” from that period. He added: “That is something which will live forever as far as I’m concerned.”