Carol Vorderman set to deliver petition to get last Dambuster hero George ‘Johnny’ Johnson a knighthood as 200,000 people support our cause
Johnny is the last surviving Brit of the bouncing bomb raids on Hitler's dams and deserves an honour
THE Sun’s petition to get a knighthood for the last Dambuster George “Johnny” Johnson has hit 200,000 names.
It will be delivered to No10 tomorrow by TV star and RAF ambassador Carol Vorderman.
She said: “The response has been overwhelming and cannot be ignored.
“It’s clear that the British public want heroes like Johnny to be given the respect they deserve.”
Johnny, 95, from Bristol, is the last surviving hero from the 1943 bouncing bomb raids on Hitler’s dams.
Thousands have signed the petition to support Johnny
And a former RAF pilot has called bomb-aimer Johnny, of Bristol, “the bravest of the brave”.
Flt Lt Ken Trent, 95, joined 617 Squadron as a Lancaster bomber pilot after the daring raids.
Ken, 95, who survived more than 40 missions including the 1945 blitz on Hitler's "Eagle's Nest" hideout in the Alps, said: "Everyone in Bomber Command was brave but in my eyes Johnny was the bravest.
"He was a bomb aimer so it was his job to make sure they hit the target.
"During the raid on the Sorpe dam he made the pilot circle round ten times before he was happy to drop it.
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"Everyone on that flight just wants to get rid of the bomb and go home but Johnny was determined to get it spot on.
"He wanted it to be bang in the right place and he had the guts and determination to make a really good job of it."
Johnny, 95, from Bristol, is the last surviving Brit from the 1943 Dambusters mission and has dedicated his life to teaching children and helping people with mental health problems.
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We launched a campaign to get him a gong after he was overlooked in the New Year Honours list.
Carol will deliver the petition along with an official nomination.
Ken, who runs a property firm in Jersey, added: "They chuck these gongs around at their penpushing pals but this is someone who really deserves one.
"It would be such a great thing to honour him.
"I'd love to see him at Buckingham Palace being knighted by the Queen."
Ken published his memoirs "Bomb Doors Open" last year with proceeds going to the RAF Benevolent Fund and Holidays for Heroes.
Carol will be joined by RAF hero John Nichol, 53, who was tortured by Saddam Hussein's thugs after his Tornado was shot down in the first Gulf War in 1991.
The pair will march from the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park to Downing Street.
John said: "It is a privilege and an honour to be backing The Sun's campaign to get Johnny awarded a knighthood.
"Today we are a free and proud country because of the selfless sacrifice and unwavering courage of men like Johnny.
"We should honour and respect that sacrifice and dedication."