Daithi O Buitigh Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Normally iI wouldn't post petitions here, but this one is deserving, especially seeing we have the last two Lancs on tour. When you look at the gongs that get handed out just because somebody makes millions kicking a football or warbling a few notes on a recording, Johnny Johnston, as the last survivor of Operation Chastise should get one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyAndJo Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Absolutely agree... I've just signed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew767 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Done Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve T Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Yep, just signed, can we get more of us behind this please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve T Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Just checked it, at this rate the 15,000 needed signatures will be done in about an hour! Surely the more he gets the more convincing the appeal.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve T Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Hmmm, now says it needs 25000 signatures, OK wife, kids and grandchildren next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I will sign for sure. But I very much doubt that the one human so deserving of an honour like that will get it.......I doubt he hasn't bank rolled the political parties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C. Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Done, fingers crossed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve T Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 We are modellers! If he doesn't get one then we can make one out of tin foil, egg boxes and all our unwanted gold that we didn't sell to the TV advertised site, yes? Anyone else got unwanted gold ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prop Nut Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Out of respect to this man, let's at least get his name right - it's Johnson, not Johnston! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 I'm not so sure that this is such a good idea, notwithstanding the respect and admiration that we all feel for him and all the chaps who took part in Operation Chastise. He is modest man by all accounts, who has made his view well known on the heroics of those who took part, and in some cases gave their lives. Personally, I'd like to see something put in place of a more permanent nature (the bomber command memorial is a start) as the bravery of all flyers during the war years seems to be begun to be forgotten. Take 'Battle of Britain Day' on September 15th and the 'wings week' appeals, both are hardly ever mentioned these days and are in danger IMO, of disappearing from the attention of the wider public if nothing is done. By all means let's get Johnny his gong, if he's agreeable, but let's also not forget how we could easily allow the memory of all those young flyers (in fact all those who served) to be lost, perhaps in only another generation. Edited By Cuban8 on 19/08/2014 19:12:42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levanter Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Tricky one this. My grandfather came over from New Zealand to join the war effort. He joined up as a Pilot Officer but then got cashiered defending a pal in a prank and went operational in Wellingtons as a Sergeant Pilot. He did three tours starting over Germany, then North Africa and then the Far East. Very few people survived three tours and well before the war ended he went to Training Command hopefully to pass on some of his secrets. He was lucky but he learned quickly. I have seen his log book and his first entries described him as "Average" They don't mince their words. Later entries were "Exemplary" He lost aircrew who were shot and died in the aircraft, he lost aircrew in a forced landing, a rear gunner died baling out when the whole crew were told that he didn't expect to get his damaged plane down in one piece. They were ordered to bale out but the rest put their faith in him. They survived a fair old thumping but were all up again within a week.. Engine out, losing height and in atrocious conditions he nearly converted Salisbury Cathedral into a Winchester lookalike. He had a tough war but as he said many a time "he was just doing his job" In fact they pretty well all said that. He came out with a DFC and had a full career later as a BOAC captain retiring out of VC10s when the younger ones were converting to Jumbos. After retiring he never used his title Captain, he never saw himself as anything special and he died aged 92 just under a year ago. By a very long way, he outlived every single one of his compatriots that all came over on one ship from NZ. He would have absolutely hated the idea of having a knighthood and I have a feeling that this incredibly brave veteran may think the same. "I was just doing my job" For that reason I am not going to vote but I am going to have a long moment of reflection for one of the very few remaining heroes and all those that didn't make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Signed , in memory of all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Hill 3 Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Signed and very proud to have done so! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josip Vrandecic -Mes Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Hello Daithi , certainly support this petition,can be seen from the attached : '' Hi Josip Vrandecic, You just got Josip to sign this petition: The Chief of Defence Staff: Award Mr George 'Johnny' Johnson (Dambusters) a knighthood''.....etc.. Regards Jo . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Simmons Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Signed & have passed it around to my friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony K Posted August 19, 2014 Share Posted August 19, 2014 Posted by Daithi O Buitigh on 19/08/2014 16:53:10: When you look at the gongs that get handed out just because somebody makes millions kicking a football or warbling a few notes on a recording, Johnny Johnston, as the last survivor of Operation Chastise should get one Are Les Munro and Fred Sutherland still alive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daithi O Buitigh Posted August 20, 2014 Author Share Posted August 20, 2014 They probably are, but Les was RNZAF and Fred RCAF - Johnny was RAF (I'm not sure how knighthoods work for Canada or New Zealand). I suppose I should have said the last surviving RAF veteran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Signed it, even though he might not get it at least let's get him the publicity. Levanter 3's post says it all really, talk about neglected heroes. A national disgrace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leccyflyer Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Posted by Levanter3 on 19/08/2014 19:13:33: Tricky one this. My grandfather came over from New Zealand to join the war effort. He joined up as a Pilot Officer but then got cashiered defending a pal in a prank and went operational in Wellingtons as a Sergeant Pilot. He did three tours starting over Germany, then North Africa and then the Far East. Very few people survived three tours and well before the war ended he went to Training Command hopefully to pass on some of his secrets. He was lucky but he learned quickly. I have seen his log book and his first entries described him as "Average" They don't mince their words. Later entries were "Exemplary" He lost aircrew who were shot and died in the aircraft, he lost aircrew in a forced landing, a rear gunner died baling out when the whole crew were told that he didn't expect to get his damaged plane down in one piece. They were ordered to bale out but the rest put their faith in him. They survived a fair old thumping but were all up again within a week.. Engine out, losing height and in atrocious conditions he nearly converted Salisbury Cathedral into a Winchester lookalike. He had a tough war but as he said many a time "he was just doing his job" In fact they pretty well all said that. He came out with a DFC and had a full career later as a BOAC captain retiring out of VC10s when the younger ones were converting to Jumbos. After retiring he never used his title Captain, he never saw himself as anything special and he died aged 92 just under a year ago. By a very long way, he outlived every single one of his compatriots that all came over on one ship from NZ. He would have absolutely hated the idea of having a knighthood and I have a feeling that this incredibly brave veteran may think the same. "I was just doing my job" For that reason I am not going to vote but I am going to have a long moment of reflection for one of the very few remaining heroes and all those that didn't make it. Thank you for that excellent post. Spot on.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 There are a few Knighthoods now spare - as some have been recently been taken away off celebs who've been doing horrible things over the years and now have their come-uppence... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john melia 1 Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Just signed the petition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan p Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 hi Levanter 3 Their is great truth in what you say, I have known 2 people as described a tail end charlie who survived 2 tours in lancs and a coastal command nav (atlantic/middle east/berlin airlift) who is still very active in his late eighties. Looking at the useless articles they award "Honours" too these days lets at least honour those that did and have contributed something to our country expecting nothing for it but doing their job. Ps I signed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm woodcock 1 Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Why do we need to kick MPs so they do the obvious. All these hero's need recognizing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve T Posted August 20, 2014 Share Posted August 20, 2014 Sorry to raise a concern, but yesterday when I first got onto this is said, 15000 signatures needed, later that evening it said 25000, ......now it says 35000. I just wonder what is going off here as we all put our so called electronic signatures but also some indication of location. Anyone able to put me at a little more ease? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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