Johnson, Gwynn Wray
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Gwynn Wray |
Surname | Johnson |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 29-06-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Charles Henry Johnson and Mary Frances Johnson (née Harris), of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax III |
Serial Number | LV961 |
Markings | QB-G |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | Marissel French National Cemetery, Beauvais |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 267-271. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 190 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/27956 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 424 (Tiger) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Green, Skipton on Swale, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone, inscribed Metal Plaque & Maple Tree |
Memorial Text | A memorial to the Canadian personnel who served at RAF Skipton on Swale during WW2, including 424 Sqn RCAF |
Miscellaneous Information
Gwynn was born at Toronto on 24 December 1920. His father was born in Wales and worked as a clerk to the Registrar General in Parliament Building and his mother was born in Streatham, London, England. He had an unmarried half sister named Una Florence Johnson. Gwynn attended the King John Public school 1928- 1932 (High school entrance), followed by Runnymede Collegiate 1933-1937 (Matric), and Weston Tech. 1937-1938 (special industrial). He then went to the Galt Aircraft School, 1939-1940 as an Aero Engine Fitter. The only sport he took part in occasionally was bowling but he enjoyed car and motor cycle racing and also studied engine design. During 1937 Gwynn worked for Wesley Fletcher, of Runnymede Welding as an assistant spray painter of automobiles, before returning to school. |
He enlisted at Galt on 30 March 1940. After training, he embarked from Canada on 23 June 1943 and arrived in the U.K. at 3PRC on 2 July 1943. He then went to 15 (P)AFU on 3 August 1943, 24 OTU 16 November 1943, 61 Base 19 March 1944 and 424 Squadron 10 May 1944. Gwynn sadly lost his life the following month on 29 June 1944. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1835/10 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1835/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 28-06-1944 |
End Date | 29-06-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Skipton on Swale |
Day/Night Raid | Night (53% moon) |
Operation | Metz- to bomb railway yards. Part of a 230 strong bomber force to attack railway installations at both Blainville and Metz. Both targets were hit but 20 aircraft were Lost (8.7%). |
Reason for Loss | Crashed 16km east of Beauvais, France |