George Leonard “Johnny” Johnson, the last surviving original member of RAF 617 Squadron’s famous “Dambusters” raid of 1943, died peacefully at his care home in Westbury on Trym, Bristol, on Wednesday night surrounded by his family.

On his 101st birthday, Mr Johnson received an MBE from the Queen for services to Second World War remembrance and the community in Bristol. TV presenter Carol Vorderman launched a petition to get the veteran a knighthood.

Mr Johnson was the last survivor of the famous bombing raids on the Mohne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany, and says he still has “strong memories” from that period.

Mr Johnson’s crew were asked to join a special mission towards the end of his first tour, but were not told what the mission was until the night before. They successfully dropped a bomb on the Sorpe dam, and caused major disruption to Germany’s efforts in the war.