During WWII, James “Johnnie” Johnson built up a formidable reputation as an RAF fighter ace.
An ace is generally accepted to be anyone who shoots down five or more enemy aircraft, and in Johnnie Johnson’s case, he exceeded, by far, a mere five. Johnson was credited with 34 individual victories over enemy aircraft, as well as seven shared victories, three shared probable, 10 damaged, three shared damaged and one destroyed on the ground.
Leaving the RAF many years later as Air Vice Marshal Johnson (not forgetting CB, CBE, DSO and Two Bars, DFC and Bar, DL), he founded a housing association in 1969 to provide affordable homes for veterans. It operates mostly in the north of England as well as in Hertfordshire.
It – the Johnnie Johnson Housing Association – was acquired in 2024 and became part of national housing provider Sanctuary Group. This purchase triggered a stipulation by AVM Johnson that his original donation of £100,000 be gifted to SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity upon such an acquisition.
Since this time, the donation had accrued interest, and with a top up from Sanctuary, the final amount donated was £200,000.
The Controller of SSAFA, Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, received a cheque from Sanctuary at a ceremony on August 8 at the National Memorial Arboretum.
Commenting, Sir Andrew said: “The wartime courage of ‘Johnnie’ Johnson and then his vision – as he set up the housing association that bore his name and which helped thousands of veterans and their families over the years – were both exceptional.
“His legacy has lived on since his death in 2001 and will continue to do so through this donation to SSAFA as it supports personnel, serving and retired, of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, as well as their families, into the future.
“His generosity is matched by that of Sanctuary, which has increased the donation to SSAFA from its own funds very significantly. I am extremely grateful to it as well.”
Speaking afterwards, Craig Moule, Sanctuary’s Group Chief Executive, said: “Sanctuary is dedicated to supporting veterans and their families. We believe that those who have served our country deserve support as they move back into civilian life and plan for the future.
“In making this donation to support SSAFA with its vital work, it’s fitting that we remember the service and sacrifices made by our Armed Forces. I’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Johnnie Johnson for his extraordinary generosity.”
Kathryn Fox-Rogers, Managing Director of Johnnie Johnson Housing, commented: “It was a really special day, an occasion to be incredibly proud of and a fantastic way to mark JJH joining the Sanctuary Group.
“We are all exceptionally proud of this housing association and of Johnnie himself.”
Others attending included Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire Colonel David Leigh, and Air Commodore Adam Sansom.
Also present was Rayleigh and Wickford MP, and former Armed Forces Minister, Mark Francois, who added: “As a former Armed Forces Minister, I was delighted to be able to attend this very special event and notable milestone.
“This significant donation from both Johnnie Johnson and Sanctuary will make a tremendous difference to the lives of Armed Forces personnel up and down the country for years to come, and I am very pleased that the legacy of Johnnie Johnson lives on.”
SSAFA’s work, like the housing association that bears Johnnie Johnson’s name, continues.