Johnson, William Harvey
Personal Information
Rank | F/S |
Forename(s) | William Harvey |
Surname | Johnson |
Gender | M |
Age | 19 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 16-03-1945 |
Next of Kin | Son of George William Henry Johnson and Irene Christina Johnson (née Forrest), of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | ND644 |
Markings | HW-N Naughty Nan |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Durnbach War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 8. A. 24. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 56 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/134935 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 100 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | William Johnson Hill, Manitoba; 40km west of Tice Lake |
Country | Canada |
Memorial Type | Hill |
Memorial Text |
Location | Off the A16, Holton le Clay, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Pillar & Information Boards |
Memorial Text | Do not attack the Hornets nest, 100 Squadron Royal Air Force Waltham Grimsby, December 1942 April 1945, Honour the brave |
Miscellaneous Information
William was born on 10 June 1925 at Winnipeg. His father was born in England and worked as a Caretaker and his mother was born in the USA. He had sisters Joyce and Patricia. He attended Lord Roberts School 1927-1934, Gladstone School 1934-1935, Earl Grey school 1935-1938, Kelvin 1938-1941 and United College 1942-1943 (all in Winnipeg). His hobby was model aircraft and the sports he joined in were swimming, football baseball (all in moderation). William worked as a decorator for C. R. Piggot between 1940 and 1941. |
William first enlisted in 1941 but when it was later discovered that he was only aged 16 he was sent home. He re-enlisted on 24 August 1943. After training he was posted to the U.K. and embarked from Halifax on 16 June 1944, arriving at 3 (RCAF )PRC on 25 June. He was then at 19 OTU on 21 August 1944, 71 Base 17 September 1944 and 100 Squadron on 17 February 1945. Sadly this young man was then to lose his life at the age of 19 years on 16 March 1945. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/798/6 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/798/5 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 16-03-1945 |
End Date | 17-03-1945 |
Takeoff Station | Grimsby |
Day/Night Raid | Night (12% moon) |
Operation | Nürnberg |
Reason for Loss | Crashed at Kraftshof, five miles from Nuremburg after being attacked by a pair of fighters |