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'I WANT A GONG FOR MY CHUMS'

Dambuster hero Johnny Johnson says knighthood would be an honour to his World War Two comrades as Carol Vorderman’s petition to get him the honour flies past 125,000 signatures

Johnny, 95, is the last British survivor of the bouncing bomb raids on Hitler's dams in 1943

composite Johnnys plea

DAMBUSTER hero Johnny Johnson said today if he got a knighthood it would be to honour his World War Two comrades.

Johnny spoke as soared past 125,000 signatures.

 Dambusters hero Johnny Johnson says he's 'stunned by the response from Sun readers' to our campaign to have him knighted
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Dambusters hero Johnny Johnson says he's 'stunned by the response from Sun readers' to our campaign to have him knightedCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Johnny, far left, with RAF colleagues on July 22, 1943, said the gong would honour his World War Two comrades — including the 53 killed just 35 days before this photo was taken
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Johnny, far left, with RAF colleagues on July 22, 1943, said the gong would honour his World War Two comrades — including the 53 killed just 35 days before this photo was takenCredit: Bantam Press

He said: “I’m stunned by the response from Sun readers.

"If it comes off I hope I may be allowed to push this great honour on to the memory of the 55,573 bomber command air crew who died and the 53 of my comrades who made the same sacrifice on the dams raids.

“I’m fairly sure the Queen will accept that.”


SHOW YOU GIVE A DAM

PLEASE SIGN CAROL VORDERMAN'S PETITION AT:


 Carol Vorderman greeting Johnny at the 75th anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets in Bristol last year, is backing our campaign
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Carol Vorderman greeting Johnny at the 75th anniversary of the RAF Air Cadets in Bristol last year, is backing our campaignCredit: Fame Flynet
 Carol Vorderman has sent an application to Parliament nominating Johnny for a knighthood
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Carol Vorderman has sent an application to Parliament nominating Johnny for a knighthoodCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Johnny, 95, added: “To get the award from the Queen herself would be a great honour, for the squadron and for me.”

Johnny, of Bristol, is the last surviving Brit of the bouncing bomb raids on Hitler’s dams in 1943.

I’d ask the British public to get behind this and look on it as an honour to the squadron

After leaving the RAF, Johnny devoted his life to helping children and those with mental difficulties overcome trauma.

But he was snubbed in the New Year’s Honours list.

 Johnny, 95, is the last British survivor of the bouncing bomb raids on Hitler’s dams in 1943
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 Johnny, 95, is the last British survivor of the bouncing bomb raids on Hitler’s dams in 1943Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
 The honours system was criticised after Johnny, pictured in 1962, was denied recognition
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The honours system was criticised after Johnny, pictured in 1962, was denied recognitionCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

We told yesterday how TV star and RAF ambassador Carol Vorderman is backing the campaign and has sent an official application to Parliament.

Widower Johnny said the honours system needed changing and hoped the Prime Minister reviews it.

 'To get the award from the Queen herself would be a great honour, for the squadron and for me,' says Johnny (circled, with the Dambuster raid crew)
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'To get the award from the Queen herself would be a great honour, for the squadron and for me,' says Johnny (circled, with the Dambuster raid crew)Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
 An award could be made in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this June
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An award could be made in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this JuneCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

He said: “I’d ask the British public to get behind this and look on it as an honour to the squadron.”

An honours committee will consider the application and an award could be made in June’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

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