Edgar Johnston
Encyclopedia
Edgar Charles Johnston DFC
(30 April 1896 – 22 May 1988) was an Australia
n fighter pilot
in World War I
, later on a leading member in civic aviation in Australia.
He was born in Perth
as son of Harry Frederick
and Maria Louisa Johnston, his oldest brother was Edward Johnston. He started studying at the University of Western Australia
in 1914, but then enlisted to the First Australian Imperial Force
in 1915. After serving with his unit in Gallipoli, he joined the Royal Flying Corps
in 1917, where he flew with No. 24 Squadron. He later transferred to No. 88 Squadron, flying Bristol Fighters
.
He shot down 20 German aircraft ( 7 solo & 1 shared destroyed, 11 solo & 1 shared 'out of control') between his entry into the war and the war's end
in 1918, making him the 5th highest-scoring Australian pilot of the war. In late 1918, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for a particularly brave patrol in which he defeated two superior German flights.
After the war, Johnston returned home in 1919 and married Margaret Allison Maitland, daughter of Andrew Gibb Maitland
in 1921. He started working in the civil aviation branch as planner for aerodromes. In 1929, he was appointed Deputy Controller of Aviation, serving under Horace Brinsmead
. When Brinsmead was incapacitated in 1931, Johnston was acting Controller, until he took the office in 1933. He continued to be responsible for Aviation, after 1936 as controller-general and foundation chairman of the Civil Aviation Board, and after 1939 as Assistant Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation.
In 1955, he retired from the Department of Civil Aviation, and took up a post with Qantas
until his retirement in 1967. Even after his retirement, his influence and contributions continued.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(30 April 1896 – 22 May 1988) was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n fighter pilot
Fighter pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, later on a leading member in civic aviation in Australia.
He was born in Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
as son of Harry Frederick
Harry Johnston (surveyor)
Harry Frederick Johnston was Surveyor-General of Western Australia from 1896 to 1915.Harry Johnston was born in 1853, as a grandson of Marshall Clifton. He qualified as a surveyor. In 1884, he led a surveying expedition to the Kimberley region of Western Australia...
and Maria Louisa Johnston, his oldest brother was Edward Johnston. He started studying at the University of Western Australia
University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia was established by an Act of the Western Australian Parliament in February 1911, and began teaching students for the first time in 1913. It is the oldest university in the state of Western Australia and the only university in the state to be a member of the...
in 1914, but then enlisted to the First Australian Imperial Force
First Australian Imperial Force
The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. It was formed from 15 August 1914, following Britain's declaration of war on Germany. Generally known at the time as the AIF, it is today referred to as the 1st AIF to distinguish from...
in 1915. After serving with his unit in Gallipoli, he joined the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in 1917, where he flew with No. 24 Squadron. He later transferred to No. 88 Squadron, flying Bristol Fighters
Bristol F.2 Fighter
The Bristol F.2 Fighter was a British two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft of the First World War flown by the Royal Flying Corps. It is often simply called the Bristol Fighter or popularly the "Brisfit" or "Biff". Despite being a two-seater, the F.2B proved to be an agile aircraft...
.
He shot down 20 German aircraft ( 7 solo & 1 shared destroyed, 11 solo & 1 shared 'out of control') between his entry into the war and the war's end
Armistice with Germany (Compiègne)
The armistice between the Allies and Germany was an agreement that ended the fighting in the First World War. It was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne Forest on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although not technically a surrender...
in 1918, making him the 5th highest-scoring Australian pilot of the war. In late 1918, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
for a particularly brave patrol in which he defeated two superior German flights.
After the war, Johnston returned home in 1919 and married Margaret Allison Maitland, daughter of Andrew Gibb Maitland
Andrew Gibb Maitland
Andrew Gibb Maitland was an English-born Australian geologist.Maitland was born in Birkby, Yorkshire, England and studied civil engineering at Yorkshire College of Science, Leeds where he was influenced by the professor of geology Alexander Henry Green.In 1888 he was assigned Second Assistant...
in 1921. He started working in the civil aviation branch as planner for aerodromes. In 1929, he was appointed Deputy Controller of Aviation, serving under Horace Brinsmead
Horace Brinsmead
Horace Clowes Brinsmead was the Controller of Aviation in Australia between 1920 to 1933.He was born in 1883 at Hampstead, London as the son of Edgar William Brinsmead and Annie Brinsmead. He migrated to Australia around 1903, where he settled down in North Queensland, later in Tonga...
. When Brinsmead was incapacitated in 1931, Johnston was acting Controller, until he took the office in 1933. He continued to be responsible for Aviation, after 1936 as controller-general and foundation chairman of the Civil Aviation Board, and after 1939 as Assistant Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation.
In 1955, he retired from the Department of Civil Aviation, and took up a post with Qantas
Qantas
Qantas Airways Limited is the flag carrier of Australia. The name was originally "QANTAS", an initialism for "Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services". Nicknamed "The Flying Kangaroo", the airline is based in Sydney, with its main hub at Sydney Airport...
until his retirement in 1967. Even after his retirement, his influence and contributions continued.