Known locally as Johnnie Johnson, James Edgar Johnson was born in Barrow on Soar near Loughborough on 9th March 1915. He lived in Melton, the first house on the left of Welby Lane as you leave Nottingham Road, with his parents - his father being a local Police Inspector.
Johnnie qualified as a Civil Engineer at Nottingham University in 1937. He joined the RAFVR and did his flying training at 21 E&RFTS, Stapleford before enlisting for full-time service in the RAF at the beginning of WWII.
He first went to ITW at Jesus College, Cambridge, completed his ab initio flying at 22 EFTS, Cambridge and his intermediate and advanced flying at 5 FTS, Sealand.
He was posted to 7 OTU, Hawarden in August 1940, joined 19 Squadron the same month and moved to 616 Squadron at Kenley on 5th September 1940. He was 83267 Pilot Officer, (Aircrew category Pilot) on the RAF's books.
His first victory came on 26th June 1941, an Me 109. on 6th and 14th July he destroyed Me 109s and on 21st September two more. He was awarded the DFC on 30th September 1941 and made Flight Commander. He was awarded a Bar to his DFC on 26th June 1942 and the next month was given command of 610 Squadron at Ludham. Over Dieppe on 19th August he destroyed a FW 190 and on 13th February claimed another.
In March 1943 he was posted to Kenley to lead the Canadian Wing. Between 3rd April and 4th September 1943 he destroyed 10 FW 190s and shared another, destroyed 4 Me 109s and shared three more and shared an Me 110. He gained the DSO on 4th June 1943 and a Bar to it on 24th September 1943. He was posted to the Planning Staff at 11 Group in September but returned to operations in March 1944 when he was posted to Digby to lead 144 Wing. Between 25th April and 27th September 1944 he destroyed 8 FW 190s and 5 Me 109s. He was awarded a second Bar to his DSO on 7th July 1944. The Wing was disbanded in October 1944 and he was posted to lead 127 Wing. On 6th April 1945 he was promoted to Acting Group Captain and given command of 125 Wing.
He ended the War as the top-scoring Allied pilot, with 38 confirmed victories. He received the DFC (US) on 18th January 1944, the Order of Leopold (Belgium) in 1947 and the Croix de Guerre (Belgium) in the same year.
He remained in the RAF and in 1950 was attached to the US Air Force, serving in the United States and in Korea. He was awarded the Air Medal (US) in December 1950 and the Legion of Merit (US) in October 1951.
He retired on 15th March 1966 at the age of 51 as an Air Vice-Marshal. He was made a CBE on 1st January 1960 and a CB on 1st January 1965.
He died on 30th January 2001 in Derbyshire, where he had lived for many years and where he enjoyed his fishing at the Ladybower Reservoir.

His RAF promotions were:-
• PO 10 August 1940
• FO 10 August 1941
• FL 10 August 1942
• SL 16 June 1943
• WC 4 October 1945
• WC 1 July 1947
• GC 1 January 1955
• AC 1 July 1960
• AVM 1 January 1963

• A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Air Vice-Marshal J.E. "Johnnie" Johnson was held on Wednesday 25th April 2001 at St. Clement Danes, Strand, London WC2. The Chief of the Air Staff was represented by Air Vice-Marshal H.G.Mackay, Air Officer Commanding and Commandant, RAF College, Cranwell and the Air Force Board by Air Vice-Marshal Peter Liddell. The Reverend David Mackenzie, Resident Chaplain, officiated. The lesson was read by Johnnie's son, Michael, and Colonel Kenneth W. Cordier, USAF, read "Empty Cockpit".
  


• A Special Church Service was also held at Waltham Parish Church on Saturday 16th June and an original Battle of Britain Spitfire piloted by "Shiny" Simmonds flew over the village as part of this salute to Johnnie.



• AVM Johnson's unique wartime archive including all the medals awarded to him were sold by auction on 10th December by Spinks. The details are contained in a London TIMES article by Robin Young on 11th December.



• A task group was formed in July 2003 by the Melton Borough Council, comprising councillors Frank Moore-Coltman, Tom Netherton and representatives from the RBL and RAFA to investigate the possibility of AVM Johnson being officially honoured in Melton Mowbray. One suggestion already received, from former Councillor J.E.Porter, is that a statuette be erected on the forecourt to the Borough Council offices on Nottingham Road, Another suggestion mooted that Private Richard Burton VC (see below *) be similarly honoured, and Col. Peter Roffey (former CO of the RAVC (now DAC) Welby Lane and President of the RBL) suggested a memorial plinth to both men in the town's Memorial gardens. It is known that a local gentleman (now unfortunately deceased) had ideas of placing a genuine "Spitfire" somewhere in the town, repainted in AVM Johnson's squadron colours, but the idea was unfortunately not brought to fruition before the owner's death.
  It was announced in mid-December 2003 that following further deliberations the Borough Council had given sanction for two plaques (one in respect of each of these heroes of Melton) costing in total £2,000 to be placed on the Corn Cross at the junction of High Street and Nottingham Street (known as Corn Hill in past days). The Cross already bears a plaque commemorating the granting of the Freedom of the Borough to the Royal Army Veterinary Corps.
• In June 2005 advertisements appeared by NPS Property Consultants as being under instructions from the Norfolk County Council to offer for sale (closing date 28th July 2005 for offers in excess of £135,000) the former 2nd World War RAF 2-storey control tower at RAF Ludham along with 1 acre of grassland.
  Johnnie Johnson took command of 610 Squadron there in July 1942.
  The property has the benefit of DPP for conversion to a 3 bedroom holiday home and, in its isolated position enjoys excellent views over the surrounding farmland.

*     The only Melton Mowbray person to be awarded the Victoria Cross was RICHARD BURTON. He was born in Melton Mowbray on 29th January 1923 and lived in the area of Egerton Road/Bentley Street, but moved to Scotland in later life and died there in 1993. He was a Private in 1st Bn. The Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment (he later achieved the rank of Corporal). On 8 October 1944 at Monte Ceco, Italy, when an assault was held up, Private Burton rushed forward from his platoon and engaged a Spandau position with his tommy gun, killing three of the crew. Later, again showing complete disregard for his own safety he disposed of the crews of two machine-guns and thanks to his outstanding courage the company was able to consolidate the position. Afterwards, in spite of the fact that most of his comrades were either dead or wounded, he repelled two counter-attacks, directing such accurate fire that the enemy retired. His citation in part reads:- “Private Burton’s magnificent gallantry and total disregard for his own safety during many hours of fierce fighting in mud and continuous rain were an inspiration to all his comrades”

The VICTORIA CROSS REFERENCE website gives more detail of Richard Burton's bravery.