Johnson, William Quinton
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | William Quinton |
Surname | Johnson |
Gender | M |
Age | 20 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 24-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of William Johnson and Hannah Matilda Johnson, of Langenburg, Saskatchewan, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | BF482 |
Markings | LS-R |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 3. D. 5. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 190 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/17660 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 15 (XV) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Church of St. John, Beck Row, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Slate Tablet on rear external wall of Church |
Memorial Text | In remembrance of all who served at RAF Mildenhall and associated aerodromes in the cause of freedom, 1939-1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
William was born at Langenburg, Saskatchewan on 1 July 192. His father was born in Minnesota, USA and was a farmer, and his mother was born in Sweden. (Hannah's maiden name may also have been Johnson). He had two sisters Esmer and Eileen and five brothers, two of whom were already enlisted with RCAF when William enlisted- both of whom had rank LAC. He went to school at Langenburg - the Public School 1929-1938 (grade 8) followed by High School 1938-1941 (grade 11). His hobby was woodwork and tinsmithing and the sports he took part in were softball and baseball. |
On 21 August 1941 William enlisted. After training he embarked from Canada for the U.K. on 7 August 1942. He arrived at 3PRC on 19 August and then continued to 11(P) AFU 29 August 1942, 14 OTU 6 October 1942, 1651 CU 29 January 1943 and 15 Squadron 9 March 1943. Sadly William was to lose his life on 24 May 1943. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/203/58 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/203/57 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 23-05-1943 |
End Date | 24-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Mildenhall |
Day/Night Raid | Night (78% moon) |
Operation | Dortmund. 826 aircraft- the largest since the 1000 bomber raids. 38 aircraft Lost (4.6%). PFF met with clear conditions and marked the target accurately, leading to a good raid. Much devastation was wreaked across large parts of the city. In particular the Hoesch steelworks were put out of action. 624 were killed. This was the last sizeable raid on Dortmund for exactly one year. |
Reason for Loss | Hit by flak and crashed in the target area |