Johnson, Cyril
Mr. Cyril Johnson M.A. Senior History Master at the Buckhurst Hill County High School was killed on October 14th, 1943 in a flying accident in this country while on active service with the R.A.F. Educated at the Strand School and King’s College, London, Mr. Johnson first taught at the Nantwich and Acton Grammar School from 1932 – 1937 before proceeding to the Swanwick Hill County School. In September 1940 he joined the staff of his last school, and threw himself whole-heartedly into the varied activities of a young and growing school, during a very trying period. In March 1942, he joined the R.A.F. and after a brief initial training in this country completed it in S. Africa where he could have remained as an instructor. He had returned to this country barely eight weeks before his death, which will be deeply mourned by his friends and colleagues and pupils past and present. Cyril Johnson was a history scholar of fine perception and culture and his teaching was inspired by a passionate love of truth and a reverence for the values inherent in his subject. On the playing field and in the classroom his service was characterised by an untiring zest, enthusiasm and devotion. He leaves a wife and daughter. A.M.A. March – April 1944
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Johnson |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | Cyril |
| Date of birth | 24 December 1909 |
| Family details | Son of Harold and Constance Johnson; husband of Mabel Kenyon Johnson. Daughter aged 7 and son as yet unborn. Home address-Wistaston, Cheshire |
| Previous education | Strand School |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1927-1930 |
| Dept / course | Faculty of Arts, History |
| Qualifications | M.A. Lond. |
| Military unit | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
| Service number | 1615489 |
| War / conflict | World War Two (1939-1945) |
| Date of death | 14/10/1943 |
| Age at death | 33 |
| Rank at death | Sergeant (Nav.) |
| Place of death | Kells Brows, Whitehaven |
| Cause of death | Killed in flying accident. Plane had defect in wing span. Note of student record: Kiled in flying accident - RAF 14.10.43 |
| Commemoration(s) | King’ s College Chapel |
| Notes | In 2007, Sgt Johnson was made an honorary Cumbrian.
|
| Sources | King’ s College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission |