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Johnson, Einar

Date of birth:
October 9th, 1917 (Vennesla, Norway)
Date of death:
August 23rd, 1943 (Hei- en Boeicop, The Netherlands)
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Graves General Cemetery Hei- en Boeicop
Row: 1. Grave: Joint 1.
Service number:
R/178385
Nationality:
Canadian

Biography

Einar was born on October 9 1917 in Vennesla Norway, the son of Gustav Johan Johnson and Elfrida Alvilda Johnson nee Amundsen (both Norwegians) of Wardner British Columbia. They were married on January 18 1912 in Vikeland Norway. His sisters were Gudrun Ella Thompson, Mrs. Hjordis Hill and Mrs. Edna Elizabeth Ballard and one brother died at childbirth.

He was a labourer and member of the Presbyterian Church. He spoke English and Norwegian, and his hobbies were hunting, fishing, shooting and fixing guns and his sports were hockey and softball.

He enlisted on July 27 1942 in Calgary and he went on January 12 1943 thereafter overseas to the UK.

Einar was killed in action on Monday August 23 1943 age 25 due to a crash near the village of Hei- en Boeicop before or after an attack on Leverkusen in Germany. The other fallen RAF Volunteer Reserve crew members were Sgt Joseph A. Spencer age 22 in grave 1-3, Sgt Thomas F. Watkins age 23 in grave 1-1, Sgt Jack Punter age 26 in grave 1-2, Sgt Stanley J. Banting age 21 in grave 1-2 and Sgt Ronald W. Horwood age 21 in grave 1-3. The other RAF crew member Sgt S. Williamson survived the crash and he became then a prisoner of war and he survived later the war.

On his headstone: SLEEP IN PEACE, FOREVER IN OUR MEMORY. MOM, DAD AND SISTERS GUDRUN, HJORDIS & EDNA

He served with the 61 (R.A.F.) Sqdn Royal Canadian Air Force.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
December 4th, 1942
Air Gunner Badge
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Sergeant
Unit:
No. 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
August 27th, 1946

Posthumously awarded
RCAF Operational Wings

Sources

Photo