Archive Report: Allied Forces

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09.07.1941 No. 611 Squadron Supermarine Spitfire Vb W3325 P/O. Robert Alan Johnston

Operation: Escort, Circus 41 (St. Omer area)

Date: 9th July 1941 (Wednesday)

Unit: No 611 Squadron

Type: Supermarine Spitfire Vb

Serial: W3325

Base: RAF Hornchurch, Essex

Location: St Omer, Pas-de-Calais, France

Pilot: P/O Robert Alan Johnston 86369 RAFVR Age 23 Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

P/O Johnston was escorting Stirling bombers on an operation to Mazingarbe, Pas-de-Calais. It is believed that his aircraft (Newcastle-On-Tyne 1) was shot down by a Me 109 in the St. Omer area

Circus operation - Fighter-escorted daylight bombing operations against short-range targets with the aim of bringing the enemy air force to battle. The number allocated depicts the area 

Spitfire aircraft of No. 611 Squadron

Burial details:

 

Pihen-Les-Guines Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France (courtesy of CWGC) Part of the War Memorial stone in St. Perter's                                                                                                     Churchyard (courtesy Rev. Margaret Preuss-Higham)

Left: Part of the memorial plaque in St. Peter's Church, Portesham, Dorset (courtesy 

P/O Robert Alan Johnston. Pihen-Les-Guines Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. Grave Ref: Row B. Grave 3. Son of Robert Hector and Kathleen Hariot Johnston of Putney, London. Born in Chesterton on the 15th April 1918. Robert was granted a commission as Pilot Officer on probation in September 1940 and in November 1940 was confirmed as Pilot Officer. The Spitfire Robert was flying was a presentation aircraft named Newcastle-On-Tyne I. Robert is remembered on the Church of St. Peters War Memorial Plaque, Portesham, Dorset. Robert's brother Sgt. Henry Bruce Stirling Johnston was killed in action on the 19/20th August 1941 in (Wellington R1455) while serving with No 9 Squadron

Left: JU88 type aircraft claimed by P/O Johnston and F/Lt Leather

While serving with No 611 Squadron and stationed at RAF Tern Hill, Shropshire P/O Robert Alan Johnston claimed a shared 'victory' with F/Lt William Johnson Leather by shooting down a Ju88 at Blewbury, Newark at 14.45hrs on the 13th November 1940

Dorothy Robinson, aunt of Alan and Bruce and sister of Richard Stirling Robinson put up a memorial for her family in Putney Vale Cemetery in June 1945

On the 20th August 1940 the Newcastle Spitfire Fund was inaugurated to provide a Spitfire or Hurricane plane to be named "Newcastle upon Tyne"

Researched by: Kate Tame Aircrew Remembered and for all the relatives and friends of the crew. Special thanks to Rev Margaret Preuss-Higham, St Peters Portesham, Anne and Martyn Gardiner, Newcastle Libraries - Local Studies Factsheet No 4

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