The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. A E Johnson

Alfred Elliott Johnson was born on 8th October 1917 in Portsmouth.

He joined the RAF in September 1933 as an Aircraft Apprentice. After the outbreak of war Johnson remustered as an Airman u/t Air Gunner. He completed his training and was serving with 23 Squadron at Collyweston in early July 1940.

His subsequent service is currently undocumented until he was commissioned in the Technical Branch (Armament) in October 1943.

Johnson was released from the RAF in 1945 as a Flying Officer. He was granted a civil flying licence on 16th August 1948 (ID photo above) and must have rejoined the RAF as he was killed in a flying accident on 23rd October 1959.

The accident report recorded:

The crew of Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer XG561 of 209 squadron were involved in a local training sortie. Shortly after takeoff from Ipoh the pilot made a sharp turn to the left. The tower controller told the pilot about the presence of a telegraph pole and the pilot was able to avoid the pole but not the electrical cables. The port wing was torn off and the aircraft crashed and exploded, killing Johnson and SAC DJD Motton.

Apparently to avoid a low pressure area approaching the airfield the pilot decided to turn to the left after takeoff instead to the right as in the published departure procedures.

Johnson is buried in Cheras Road Christian Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur.