101-year-old World War II pilot lays wreath remembering veterans

Standing with a poppy pinned to his chest, Norman Johnson laid down a wreath reflecting on those who lost their lives serving in the war.

“I still remember of course,” he said. “Family, friends.”

Tenants at the Renaissance Retirement Residence had an early Remembrance Day Ceremony on Thursday afternoon.

Johnson, who lives at the residence, served as a pilot with the Royal Air Force in World War II.

Now 101-years-old, he is seeing less veterans at each ceremony.

“There’s not too many of us left anymore,” Johnson said. “You just make the most out of the time you’ve got left.”

Johnson grew up in Northumberland in the United Kingdom, and said he didn’t give a second thought to signing up to serve his country when the war broke out.

“It was something you did,” Johnson said. “That was it.”

He first came to Saskatchewan in the 1940s for flight training in Assiniboia. He flew planes for five years in the air force in Burma and India.

Both Johnson’s brothers served in the war, but one was killed in Italy while in the army.

“You start recollecting people afterwards,” he said. “It’s an ongoing thing.”

Read more:

• ‘Aging membership’ Some legion branches struggle to keep open
• Saskatoon Poppy Campaign warns of text message poppy scam
• ‘A statement of respect:’ Sask. MLAs unanimously pass poppy rights law

After the war, Johnson settled in Canada with his family.

Each year, the centenarian pilot is pleased by the number of people who show up to the Remembrance Day ceremony.

“Actually I’m thankful that they do remember,” he said. “It’s quite easy to forget I guess.

“I’m quite amazed that Remembrance Day has come around so well.”

In Regina, the Brandt Centre will host its Remembrance Day Service on Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. with doors opening at 10:00 a.m.

In Saskatoon, the SaskTel Centre will hosts its Remembrance Day Service on Nov. 11 at 9:30 a.m. with doors opening at 8:45 a.m.