Last Dambuster Johnny Johnson dies aged 101

The last survivor of the World War Two Dambusters has died at the age of 101.

George Leonard "Johnny" Johnson was the last surviving original member of the 617 squadron which destroyed vital dams in Germany during World War Two.

His family said that he died peacefully at his care home in Westbury on Trym, Bristol on Wednesday night.

Born in Lincolnshire, the retired Royal Air Force officer rose to fame as a bomb aimer in the squadron during Operation Chastise.

He was just 21 when the squadron used experimental bouncing bombs to target the Ruhr Valley, which released large volumes of water into areas used for war production.

Around a third of the RAF Bomber Command crew did not survive the raid.

In later life he described the experience as “exhilarating” and that he felt honoured to have had “the chance to take part”.

Following the death of his wartime colleague Fred Sutherland in January 2019, Mr Johnson became the last survivor of the original Squadron.

After the war Mr Johnson worked as a teacher in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

He was awarded an MBE in 2017 and celebrated his 100^th birthday last year, telling the BBC: “I’ve had a very lucky life in every respect."

The former Dambuster leaves behind his wife Gwynn Johnson, three children, eight grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

Historian, James Holland also paid tribute to the World War Two veteran, saying: “Lovely Johnny Johnson - what a wonderful, gentle, thoughtful human being.

“The last of the Dambusters. That’s it. End of an era. A big and sad moment.”