Joseph Inkerman Johnson was born in 1914 in Hulcote, Northamptonshire. He joined the RAF in June 1935 as an Aircrafthand (Carpenter).[1] He was later remustered as an Airman-in training Pilot and won his wings on 11 August 1939 — three weeks before Britain declared war on Germany.
Joseph Inkerman Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1914 Hulcote, Northamptonshire, England |
| Died | 30 August 1940 (aged 26) Bishopsbourne, Kent, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service |  Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1935–1940 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | No. 222 Squadron RAF |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
In May 1940 Sgt. Johnson was posted to 222 Squadron. In June he claimed the 'probable' destruction of a He 111 over Dunkirk. By August 1940 he had flown 25 missions. The squadron was posted to RAF Hornchurch on 29 August 1940.[2]
The following day no. 222 Squadron was scrambled several times during the day, and at 16:00 hours to intercept a large formation of bombers in the direction of the Thames Estuary and were attacked by the escorting fighters. Flying a Spitfire Mk 1, R6628 Johnson was shot down at 18:02 by a Messerschmitt Bf 109[3] and crashed near Bishopsbourne, south of Canterbury in Kent.[4] It is believed that Johnson died before the crash.
Johnson is buried in Towcester Cemetery in Northamptonshire. His grave is Row G, Grave 2[5] and it gives his service number — 520406.[6] His name is included on the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne.
References
edit- ^ "Sergeant Johnson 222". Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ^ Battle of Britain Squadrons http://www.raf.mod.uk/bob1940/213to236.html
- ^ Battle of Britain Historical Society http://www.battleofbritain1940.net/0031.html
- ^ RAF Hornchurch - The Human Story http://www.rafhornchurch.thehumanjourney.net/squadrons.htm#222
- ^ Commonwealth War Graves Commission http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2949658
- ^ Bishopsbourne Spitfire http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~nog/personal/spitfire.htm Originally published in the Kingston parish magazine based on research conducted at The Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge by M Joplin, a local historian