The Airmen's Stories - P/O S F F Johnson

Sydney Frederick Farquhar Johnson was the son of Captain SF Johnson, killed serving with the Border Regiment in January 1917.

Johnson was educated at Twyford, Stowe and in Switzerland. He served in the Honourable Artillery Company before transferring to 600 Squadron, Auxiliary Air force at Hendon in 1939.

Called up on 24th August, he completed his flying training and rejoined 600 at Northolt in May 1940.

He was in action with the squadron throughout the Battle. On 2nd January 1941 he was posted to Catterick to join the recently reformed 256 Squadron as a Flight Commander. The squadron was equipped with Defiants for night-fighting.

On 26th February 1941 Johnson’s Defiant N3520 ran out of fuel. He ordered his gunner, Sgt. G Lewis, to bale out. Johnson tried to bring the Defiant down at Middle Wallop but was killed when it crashed before he could reach the airfield.

He was 25 and is buried at Cliveden War Cemetery, Taplow, Bucks.