Carol Vorderman launches a petition to get Dambuster hero George ‘Johnny’ Johnson a knighthood
Carol stepped in after we told how 95-year-old Johnny was snubbed in the New Year Honours list
CAROL Vorderman is spearheading a petition backing The Sun’s campaign to get Dambuster hero George “Johnny” Johnson a knighthood.
Maths whiz Carol – an ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets – stepped in after we told how 95-year-old Johnny was snubbed in the New Year Honours list.
He is the last surviving British airman from the iconic “bouncing bomb” raids on dams in Nazi Germany and has worked tirelessly for charity.
But he was overlooked while political cronies and penpushers were given gongs.
Carol – who first met Johnny at the cadets’ 75th anniversary celebrations last year – has launched to get him a gong.
Carol, 56, wrote on the site: “I can’t think of anyone who deserves a knighthood more.
“It was extremely disappointing that he was overlooked in this year’s New Year Honours list.
“There were many fine people who received awards, but I believe they would all agree that Johnny deserves one too.
He has dignity beyond most you could ever meet
Carol on Johnny
“He is an incredible man who volunteered for one of the most dangerous missions during World War II
“And since then he has been a teacher, a counsellor and raised huge amounts for charity.
“Please sign this petition to get Johnny the recognition he deserves.”
JOIN WITH CAROL VORDERMAN TO HELP GET JOHNNY KNIGHTED
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The former Countdown presenter, who is a trained pilot, told The Sun: “When you look at the list of people who received awards, very few among them have given and sacrificed as much as Johnny.
“He and his generation – the greatest generation – sacrificed so much to fight for our freedom.
“He has dignity beyond most you could ever meet.
“He is extremely funny, modest and utterly charming.
“Everyone who meets him, young or old or those in between, simply fall in love with him.”
Humble Johnny said he’d dedicate any honour to the 55,573 Bomber Command aircrew who lost their lives during the war, as well as around 8,000 injured and 9,000 taken prisoner.
He said: “The most important thing to say is that it’s not all about me, it’s about the squadron.”
Our campaign was also backed by top politicians and military figures.
Former Defence minister and Tory MP Sir Gerald Howarth said he was delighted to lend his support.
He said: “Next year will mark the 75th anniversary of the Dams raid, one of the most iconic and daring of the war.
“It’s right we should honour its last survivor in part as a memorial to all the men – 133 as I recall – and especially the 53 who gave their lives.”
Ex-para and former British Army Major Dan Jarvis MP said: “It’s bitterly disappointing that the service and sacrifice of George Johnson has not been recognised in the New Year’s honours list.
“No honours and awards system is ever going to be perfect, but the bias in this year’s list towards those who work in and around government, suggests that real reform is now long overdue.
He is a true knight in every sense of the word
Kevin Foster
“I hope that good sense prevails and that George is properly honoured for the huge contribution he has made.”
Tory MP Kevin Foster has written to the chairman of the Honours Committee, Sir Jonathan Stephens, calling for Johnny to be honoured.
Mr Foster wrote: “Johnny is as mild mannered and modest as he was heroic on that day, someone who is a true knight in every sense of the word.
“He has also spent decades raising money for service charities and even his advanced years have not stopped him wanting to support these causes.
“As the sole surviving veteran of an iconic moment in our history an honour would not just be for him but a recognition for all who took part in the raid, including those who never returned.
“Johnny’s example is one many young people look up to today and I know he still supports the work of the Air Cadets. If our honours system is to genuinely be about recognising greatness, inspiring the next generation and indicating service that should be looked up to there can be no better way of showing this than conferring the status of a Knight of the Realm onto this man.”
And there was a surge of support for Johnny on social media.
Stewart Harris tweeted: “To snub George “Johnny” Johnson in the honours list is a disgrace, and now I’ve seen the list it’s a bigger disgrace.”
@GreenwichThomas said: “How does #georgejohnnyjohnson get snubbed despite heroics in ww2 but that talentless Mrs Beckham gets an award for ‘fashion’, disgraceful.”
David Regan posted: “The honours list is a sham heroes like George Johnny Johnson are ignored and pathetic figures rewarded #wrong”
Clive Rhymester said: “The real heroes like George “Johnny” Johnson, always seem to be overlooked. The honours system is now a travesty.”
Nick McCarthy tweeted: “It beggars belief that he has been ignored and the woman who changed Mrs Cameron’s image was honoured. Obscene!”
SHOW YOU GIVE A DAM: Please sign Carol’s petition at