Queen Elizabeth has bestowed an MBE on Britain’s last surviving Dambuster.
The 91-year-old monarch honoured Squadron Leader George Leonard ‘Johnny’ Johnson during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday (07.11.17) by making him a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).
George, 95, was part of the Royal Air Force 617 Squadron which conducted a series of raids on German dams during the Second World War in an effort to disable enemy troops.
As he collected his award, Queen Elizabeth told him: "Glad to see the Dambusters are still here."
George is the last surviving Dambuster in Britain, and he is one of only two survivors to take part in bombing raids on the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany, with the other being Canadian former front gunner Fred Sutherland.
The former pilot has "strong memories" of his time as a Dambuster, but insists he’ll only share his experiences with those who are interested in hearing his tale.
He said: "That is something which will live forever as far as I’m concerned. I don’t volunteer, but if people ask will I talk to their club or their group, that means they are interested and if they are interested I will talk to them. I’ve got to the stage now where I say to the children ‘If I say I don’t want to do this any more, you can send the box in as soon as you like’."
George has also been awarded an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University, but says meeting the Queen this week – which was the second time he’d had the honour of meeting the monarch after previously having an audience with her three years ago – was the "highlight of his life".
He added: "I also had an honorary doctorate with Lincoln University which was basically because of my work with the mentally handicapped and that to me meant as much as this did, apart from the fact of meeting the Queen again, which was wonderful.
"I had the honour of an audience with her about three years ago and I felt honoured to meet her for a second time. I think she’s a wonderful lady, I have always thought so and it was confirmed so much at that audience at Windsor Castle, that has to be the highlight of my life, that audience."
Queen Elizabeth gives MBE to war veteran
