James Johnson (South African Navy officer)

Vice-Admiral James 'Johnny' Johnson SSA SM DSC (10 February 1918 – 2 October 1990) was a former Chief of the South African Navy (1 April 1972 to 30 September 1977).[2] He was nicknamed "Flam" after his wartime red beard - "Vlambaard" in Afrikaans.[1]

Vice Admiral

James 'Flam' Johnson

SSA SM DSC
Nickname(s)Flam
Born(1918-02-10)10 February 1918
Benoni, Transvaal, Union of South Africa[1]
Died2 October 1990(1990-10-02) (aged 72)
South Africa
Service/branchSouth African Navy
Years of service1946–1977
RankVice Admiral
Commands held
WarsWorld War II
AwardsStar of South Africa SSAG Southern Cross Medal SM Southern Cross Medal SM Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Good Service Medal ' Union Medal ' Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) DSC 1939–45 Star ' Africa Star ' Atlantic Star ' Burma Star ' War Medal 1939–1945 '

Early career

He trained at the General Botha Training college from 1933 to 1934 and joined the P&O Line after leaving General Botha.[3]

He was commissioned in 1938 and joined HMS York in 1939. After his ship was sunk in Suda Bay, Crete, he joined HMS Jed,[1] which took part in the Battle of the Atlantic from 1942 to 1943. During this time he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for Gallantry. He also served as commanding officer of HMS Verbena (K85)[4] and HMS Rosebay (K286)[1]

SA Navy career

After the war he transferred to the South African Navy in 1946 as a lieutenant commander. He held various commands, including SAS Bloemfontein, SAS Transvaal, SAS Good Hope (F432)[1] during March to May 1948 and the Navy Gymnasium.[5] He commanded the Rothesay-class frigate SAS President Pretorius when she was delivered from Britain in 1964, in the rank of captain. He was promoted to commodore in 1966.

1969 he was promoted to flag rank and appointed Chief of Naval Staff.

He was appointed Chief of the South African Navy in 1972[6] and was the last chief to occupy Admiralty House before Naval Headquarters moved to Pretoria.

Awards and decorations

Distinguished Service Cross

The citation in the London Gazette reads:

For outstanding courage, enterprise and devotion to duty in action with enemy submarines while serving in H.M.S. Jed[7]
Lieutenant James Johnson, R.N.R. (Brekpan (sic), Transvaal)

List

References
  1. Uys, Ian (1992). South African Military Who's Who 1452–1992. Fortress Publishers. p. 115. ISBN 0-9583173-3-X.
  2. South African Defence Force Information website
  3. "Old Salts History J0695". Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  4. HMS Verbena (K 85) of the Royal Navy - British Corvette of the Flower class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net
  5. Nöthling, C.J.; Meyers, E.M. (1982). "Leaders through the years (1912–1982)". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2): 9e.
  6. Engelbrecht, Leon. "Fact file: Chiefs of the South African Navy". DefenceWeb. DefenceWeb.
  7. London Gazette Issue 36400
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.