John Johnson
John James 'Fleein Jack' Johnson (b. 21 October 1901, Kirkhouse, Whiteness, d. 27 February 1987, Whiteness) was a pilot, County Councillor for Whiteness And Weisdale between 1973 and 1975 and Shetland Islands Councillor for Whiteness, Weisdale & Tingwall from 1974 until 1978.
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[hide]Biography
John left Whiteness school at 14 and went to sea, first on the smack Bertie. He later joined the crew of Alex. Sandison & Son's 'Silver Lining', on which he spent most of WWI before moving on to a steamer. He joined the RAF in 1921, being one of the first Shetland men to do so. He was stationed on an RAF base near Heliopolis in Egypt where he undertook his flight training. He later flew Vickers Vimy and Virginia bombers, leaving a distinguished RAF career in 1933.
He took on a commercial pilot's licence and flew with Highland Airways on their Orkney service before the outbreak of WWII. During that war, John was a flying instructor and test pilot. He was demobbed in 1945 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant and the Air Force Medal.
He returned to the sea aboard the seine netter Pioneer and later aboard the Endeavor. A disastrous fishing season in 1961 saw that boat sold and John return to the merchant navy. He served on the Ferndene and with Salvesens on the Scotland to Norway trade route before he retired in 1965.
John originally backed the Labour party politically, but disagreements led him to support the Scottish National Party in 1968.
Political Career
Zetland County Council
Shetland Islands Council
External Links
| Zetland County Council | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John Rae |
Member for Whiteness and Weisdale 1973-1975 |
Council body dissolved |
| Shetland Islands Council | ||
|---|---|---|
| Constituency created | Member for Whiteness, Weisdale And Tingwall 1974-1978 |
Succeeded by Florence Grains |
