| Joseph Inkerman Johnson | |
| Birth Date: | 1914 |
| Death Date: | (aged 26) |
| Birth Place: | Hulcote, Northamptonshire, England |
| Death Place: | Bishopsbourne, Kent, England |
| Allegiance: | United Kingdom |
| Serviceyears: | 1935–1940 |
| Rank: | Sergeant |
| Unit: | No. 222 Squadron RAF |
| Battles: | Second World War
|
Joseph Inkerman Johnson was born in 1914 in Hulcote, Northamptonshire. He joined the RAF in June 1935 as an Aircrafthand (Carpenter).[1] He was later remustered as an Airman-in training Pilot and won his wings on 11 August 1939 — three weeks before Britain declared war on Germany.
In May 1940 Sgt. Johnson was posted to 222 Squadron. In June he claimed the 'probable' destruction of a He 111 over Dunkirk. By August 1940 he had flown 25 missions. The squadron was posted to RAF Hornchurch on 29 August 1940.[2]
The following day no. 222 Squadron was scrambled several times during the day, and at 16:00 hours to intercept a large formation of bombers in the direction of the Thames Estuary and were attacked by the escorting fighters. Flying a Spitfire Mk 1, R6628 Johnson was shot down at 18:02 by a Messerschmitt Bf 109[3] and crashed near Bishopsbourne, south of Canterbury in Kent.[4] It is believed that Johnson died before the crash.
Johnson is buried in Towcester Cemetery in Northamptonshire. His grave is Row G, Grave 2[5] and it gives his service number — 520406.[6] His name is included on the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne.