224277 Sqd.Ldr. Charles Edward Johnson Royal Air Force 44 Squadron (d.24th May 1940) My cousin, Squadron Leader Charles Edward Johnson's parents were Charles Frederick Johnson and Catherine Mary (nee Cable). His father, a Lincolnshire man, was an engineer who joined the Royal Navy in World War 1. Sadly, Charles Frederick died in 1919 from a disease he contracted during his navy service. He was only 37 years old. Charles Edward was just a toddler of 3 when this happened.
The family had moved to London after living in Portsmouth for many years. It was here that tragedy struck a second time when his mother died when he was just 9 years old.
He was made of resilient stuff though and obviously had leadership qualities. This young man was flying a Handley Page Hampden Mark B.I on a mission from RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire to attack rail communications in Germany when he was hit by flak over Aachen, Germany on the 24th of May 1940. The plane crashed and all on board perished.
The crew are now buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery:
- S/L C.E.Johnson
- P/O D.C.Barker
- Sgt H.G.Collins
- Cpl W.Crook
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