MBE for Britain's last Dambuster Johnny

George '˜Johnny' Johnson, the Horncastle-born last British Dambuster, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
George Johnny JohnsonGeorge Johnny Johnson
George Johnny Johnson

The 96-year-old, who hails from Hameringham, said he was ‘honoured’ to receive the award.

It follows a high-profile campaign in which several celebrities backed calls for Mr Johnson to be honoured.

More than 300,000 people also signed petitions in support of Mr Johnson.

At one stage, it was hoped Mr Johnson would be knighted but - speaking from his home in the Bristol area - he said he would have found it difficult to accept that accolade.

With typical modesty, he said he was delighted with the MBE and dedicated his award to all the aircrew who never returned home from missions.

Mr Johnson is still a regular visitor to the Horncastle area - and to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby.

He was a member of 617 Squadron that destroyed German dams on a daring raid during the Second Word War.