March 7, 2018 4.37 pm This story is over 68 months old

Last surviving Dambuster George ‘Johnny’ Johnson opens Lincoln education centre in his name

A proud day.

The Last Dambuster George Johnson, opening the centre named after himself back in 2018, with SESN CEO Richard Bell. | Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The last surviving British member of the Dambusters raid, Squadron Leader George “Johnny” Johnson MBE, DFM, officially opened the new George Johnson Education Centre in Lincoln.

A special ceremony was held at the centre on Weaver Road, set up by the Specialist Education Support Network, on Wednesday, March 7 to celebrate the milestone.

In peacetime Mr Johnson, who was born in Lincolnshire in 1921, taught people with learning difficulties and later developed pioneering programmes in mental health rehabilitation at Rampton and Balderton hospitals.

The centre is aimed at young people aged between 11 and 16 who have been excluded from mainstream education or may be struggling generally with a range of social, emotional and behavioural issues.

As well as the main site, the centre also has several satellite provisions including a training facility at building firm Gelder Group’s premises at Sturton by Stow.