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NOW GIVE HIM A DAM GONG!

Carol Vorderman delivers petition with more than 200,000 signatures to Downing Street demanding Dambusters hero ‘Johnny’ is knighted

The star and RAF veteran John Nichol handed it over to Number 10 at midday

THE Sun’s petition to get a knighthood for the last Dambuster George “Johnny” Johnson has been hand delivered by TV star Carol Voderman today after it gathered more than 200,000 names.

Former Countdown presenter and RAF ambassador Carol Vorderman took the petition to No10 with veteran John Nichol.

George was festooned with a raft of medals including a Distinguished Flying Medal for his part in 617 Squadron's daring 1943 blitz on Nazi-controlled dams
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George was festooned with a raft of medals including a Distinguished Flying Medal for his part in 617 Squadron's daring 1943 blitz on Nazi-controlled damsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Carol Voderman delivered the petition to Number 10 on Thursday
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Carol Voderman delivered the petition to Number 10 on ThursdayCredit: PA
The pair delievered it after starting out at the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park
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The pair delievered it after starting out at the Bomber Command Memorial in Green ParkCredit: SWNS
Last surviving hero . . . George 'Johnny' Johnson with our front page
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Last surviving hero . . . George 'Johnny' Johnson with our front pageCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

George "Johnny" Johnson was part of Royal Air Force 617 Squadron, which conducted a night of raids on German dams in 1943 in an effort to disable Hitler's industrial heartland.

The 95-year-old is the last surviving British member of the Bomber Command crews who used Barnes Wallis's revolutionary bouncing bombs, releasing them 60ft above ground.

Of the 133 airmen who left on the missions, 53 did not return, giving the mission a survival rate of just over 60 per cent.

 

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Thousands have signed the petition to support Johnny

Jonny is one of the last surviving Dambusters
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Jonny is one of the last surviving DambustersCredit: Bantam Press

Despite being nominated for an accolade, the former squadron leader was not recognised in the New Year Honours list.

TV presenter Carol Vorderman, who launched the petition presented it alongside RAF veteran John Nichol, said the public response has been "overwhelming and cannot be ignored".

Speaking yesterday Voderman said: “It’s clear that the British public want heroes like Johnny to be given the respect they deserve.

His story is as relevant today as it ever was. In addition, Johnny has devoted his life to helping others and continues to do so with his charity work and work with young people.

"We have put together a new official nomination for an honour which we will deliver at the same time. I'm not sure that anyone has had as many letters of support for a nomination as Johnny."

Speaking earlier this month from his home in Bristol, Mr Johnson said he was "absolutely amazed" at the public's response to the petition.

Carol Voderman and RAF veteran John Nichol delivered the petition to Downing Street at midday
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Carol Voderman and RAF veteran John Nichol delivered the petition to Downing Street at middayCredit: PA
It has been signed by more than 200,000 people
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It has been signed by more than 200,000 peopleCredit: PA
The petition calls for the last surviving British Dambuster to be knighted
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The petition calls for the last surviving British Dambuster to be knightedCredit: PA

He said he would accept an honour if he was offered one, but added that it would be to remember his squadron and not himself.

He said: "I would... bearing in mind it wasn't me, it was the squadron it was going to - that's the whole point.

"I try to emphasise to people that I am the lucky one and I am still alive. It is the squadron that I served with, represented and still represent. Any honour that comes in my direction is an honour for the squadron."

Carol Voderman has been leading the campaign to get the Dambusters veteran a knighthood
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Carol Voderman has been leading the campaign to get the Dambusters veteran a knighthoodCredit: PA
Today it reached Downing Street, meaning it will later be discussed by Parliament
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Today it reached Downing Street, meaning it will later be discussed by ParliamentCredit: PA
Veteran John was tortured in Iraq after his Tornado was shot down in the first Gulf War in 1991
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Veteran John was tortured in Iraq after his Tornado was shot down in the first Gulf War in 1991Credit: SWNS

Johnny, 95, from Bristol, is the last surviving hero from the 1943 bouncing bomb raids on Hitler’s dams.

And a former RAF pilot has called bomb-aimer Johnny, of Bristol, “the bravest of the brave”.

Flt Lt Ken Trent, 95, joined 617 Squadron as a Lancaster bomber pilot after the daring raids.

Ken, 95, who survived more than 40 missions including the 1945 blitz on Hitler's "Eagle's Nest" hideout in the Alps, said: "Everyone in Bomber Command was brave but in my eyes Johnny was the bravest.

"He was a bomb aimer so it was his job to make sure they hit the target.

"During the raid on the Sorpe dam he made the pilot circle round ten times before he was happy to drop it.

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"Everyone on that flight just wants to get rid of the bomb and go home but Johnny was determined to get it spot on.

"He wanted it to be bang in the right place and he had the guts and determination to make a really good job of it."

Johnny has dedicated his life to teaching children and helping people with mental health problems.

Carol is an honorary group captain and ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets scheme
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Carol is an honorary group captain and ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets schemeCredit: Fame Flynet
Carol Vorderman is spearheading a campaign to get Johnny a knighthood
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Carol Vorderman is spearheading a campaign to get Johnny a knighthoodCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

We launched a campaign to get him a gong after he was overlooked in the New Year Honours list.

Carol delivered the petition along with an official nomination.

Ken, who runs a property firm in Jersey, added: "They chuck these gongs around at their penpushing pals but this is someone who really deserves one.

"It would be such a great thing to honour him.

"I'd love to see him at Buckingham Palace being knighted by the Queen."

Ken published his memoirs "Bomb Doors Open" last year with proceeds going to the RAF Benevolent Fund and Holidays for Heroes.

An RAF pilot called bomb-aimer Johnny “the bravest of the brave”
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An RAF pilot called bomb-aimer Johnny “the bravest of the brave”Credit: SWNS:South West News Service
George 'Johnny' Johnson, the last surviving pilot of the 1943 'bouncing bomb' raid, has been denied a gong in the New Year's honours list
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George 'Johnny' Johnson, the last surviving pilot of the 1943 'bouncing bomb' raid, has been denied a gong in the New Year's honours listCredit: Alpha Press

Carol was joined on her visit to Downing Street on Thursday by RAF hero John Nichol, 53, who was tortured by Saddam Hussein's thugs after his Tornado was shot down in the first Gulf War in 1991.

The petition was delivered at midday with those involved starting out at the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park at 11am.

John said: "It is a privilege and an honour to be backing The Sun's campaign to get Johnny awarded a knighthood.

"Today we are a free and proud country because of the selfless sacrifice and unwavering courage of men like Johnny.

"We should honour and respect that sacrifice and dedication."

Let Number 10 known what YOU think 
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