MBE for last Dambuster hero
THE last survivor of the Dambusters raid on Nazi Germany has been made an MBE after a campaign backed by the Daily Express.
Some 250,000 people signed a “people’s petition” demanding Second World War hero George “Johnny” Johnson, 95, be knighted.
And although he has not become a Sir, the accolade is recognition of a lifetime of remembrance and community service.
It goes some way to correcting an injustice that saw the selfless service of the young airmen of Bomber Command ignored by successive governments.
Mr Johnson, a member of the RAF’s 617 Squadron which mounted the daring “bouncing bomb” raids on the Ruhr dams on May 16, 1943, said he would accept the honour on behalf of his brothers in arms who never returned home.
The chances of seeing out the war were 500-1 if part of Bomber Command.
But it was not until 2012 that a memorial was opened in London’s Green Park – thanks to our readers who donated £1million towards the cost with Daily Express owner Richard Desmond giving a further £500,000.
Paul Walmsley, 70, from Reading, whose father flew 100 missions in Lancaster bombers, started the movement to get Mr Johnson honoured in 2015.
Last night he said: “I’m a bit disappointed but at least it’s an honour. Johnny should have been knighted for his service to the country and his tireless community work. An MBE is better than nothing.”