Last surviving British Dam Buster unveils Lord Wandsworth College war memorial

Former Lord Wandsworth College pupil, and one of only two surviving members of the Dambuster raids, helped the Hampshire school to mark Remembrance during a special ceremony last week.

Squadron Leader George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, who was made an MBE for his services to World War Two just last week, took part in the wreath procession and a special unveiling ceremony on Friday 10 November.

The school’s annual service saw members of their CCF parade at the new memorial which was designed, funded and project managed by students from the school.

The memorial lists the names of 22 former pupils that gave their lives for their country during both the First and Second World Wars.

The service was made all the more spectacular with a fly by from a chinook from RAF Odiham to really mark the occasion.

The Lord Wandsworth College Headmaster, Adam Williams, said: “It was a privilege and an honour to have Johnny Johnson attend our ceremony and we are very grateful to him and his family for joining us on what was an incredibly special occasion.”

Johnny said: “Respect must go to the children who raised the money for the memorial to be built.”

Johnny was a pupil at Lord Wandsworth College from 1933 until 1940 and served with the RAF from 1940 to 1967.

Sqn Ldr Alex Hamilton, contingent commander of Lord Wandsworth College CCF, said: “It was a delight to welcome Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson back to the college and really fitting that he should unveil the memorial to those members of the college who lost their lives in the war.”

The CCF has an Army and RAF Section of cadets and is made up entirely of volunteers. The college recently established a partnership with the Costello School in Basingstoke who now parade with them on a weekly basis.

With thanks to Lord Wandsworth College for providing photographs from the event.