Gordon Kevin Johnson
From Our Contribution
 | |
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 16 Jul 1918 |
| Place of Birth | Northam, Western Australia |
| Death | 22 Sep 1972, aged 54 |
| Place of Death | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years old |
| Description |
5'11" (1.80m) tall ; 168lbs 76.203 kg ; medium complexion ; hazel eyes ; brown hair ; scar on right knee |
| Occupation | Civil Servant |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Prospect road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr. Clement Michael Johnson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W29894 & 415216 (RAAF)] |
| Date of Enlistment | 30 Jul 1940 & 12 Aug 1941 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer |
| Unit/Formation | No. 5 Service Flying Training School RAAF |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 24 Aug 1942 ‒ 18 Nov 1942 |
| Transport Details | not known Sydney to UK |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 20 Oct 1944 ‒ 4 Dec 1944 |
| Transport Details | Not known UK to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Defence Medal 1939-45 War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Gordon's father was a retired Railway enployee. Gordon attended CBC Perth from 1930 until 1932, followed by CBC Strahfield in NSW from 1932 until 1936, receiving his Leaving Certificate ib seven subjects including French and Latin. He then attended the Underwood Busainess College at night for 18 months while employed bythe WA State Public Service..
War Service
Mobilised by the CMF on 30 Jul 1940, he was undergoing training at the Melville Training Depot when he resigned on 6 Sep 1940 in order to join the RAAF. In the meantime, on 16 Aug 1940 he had been appointed Lance Corporal. Interestingly his enlistment date for the RAAF is nearly 1 year later, 12 Aug 1941. However, his RAAF enlistment includes reference to him having remained in the 28th Australian Infantry Battalion (The Swan Regiment) from May 1940 until August 1941.
On 12 Aug 1941 Gordon enlisted in the RAAF at No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre, mustered as aircrew and he was sent the same day to No. 4 Initial Training School RAAF near Victor Harbour in South Australia. on 13 Nov 1941 Gordon was posted to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF at Essendon in Victoria. On 8 Feb 1942 Gordon was posted to No. 7 Service Flying Training School RAAF at Deniliquin in New South Wales where on 2 May 1942 he received his Flying Badge with experience on Wirraways and Masters. On 8 Apr 1942 he married Lois Cazna Bruce (1922-1985). His next posting was to No. 1 Embarkation Depot RAAF at Ascot Vale in Victoria on 19 Jul 1942, and soon after, on 24 August he boarded a ship for the UK, where on arrival on 18 Nov 1942 he was sent to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre RAF. On 25 Dec 1942 Gordon was promoted to Flight Sergeant. On 8 Apr 1942 he had married Lois Cazna Bruce (1922-1985).
Gordon was posted to No. 5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying & Refresher Unit RAF on 23 Mar 1943, and on 31 Mar 1943 he required medical attention, such that he was posted to RAF Gosford in Northumberland. A week later on 8 Jun 1943 he was released to No. 59 Operational Training Unit RAF at RAF Turnhouse. While there on 25 Dec 1943 he was promoted to Warrant Officer. This was followed by a move to No. 1 Tropical Experimentation Unit RAF on 24 Jan 1944, and on 1 Mar 1944 to No. 4 Tropical Experimentation Unit RAF, and on 21 Mar 1944 to No. 3 Tropical Experimentation Unit RAF. On 18 Jul 1944 Gordon was seen by a Medical Board with a problem with an enlarged disc in his back, and found to be unfit to serve for a lengthy period of time, necessitating his return to Australia. He was granted Sick Leave from 22 July until 11 Aug 1944.
On 14 Sep 1944 Gordon was posted to No. 11 Personnel Despatch & Receiving Centre RAAF before returning to Australia on 4 Dec 1944 at No. 3 Personnel Depot RAAF at Sandgate in Queensland. He moved again on 4 Jan 1945, this time to No. 1 Personnel Depot RAAF in Melbourne. On 2 Jul 1945 Gordon was posted to No. 5 Service Flying Training School RAAF at Uranquinty in New South Wales. However, with the war over, on 6 Oct 1945 Gordon returned to No. 1 Personnel Depot RAAF where on 13 Mar 1946 he was discharged from the RAAF.
Post War
Electoral Roll records: 1958 at 132 Walker street, North Sydney, clerk; 1963 at 2 Tucker street, Crows Nest, clerk.
Son Raymond Bruce Johnson (9 Dec 1946, 2004). Son John Gordon Michael (18 Jul 1948 - 1995)
Notes