No.891600, Sergeant, Eleanor JOHNSON
Aged 22
Eleanor Johnson was born in Cavendish (Sudbury Q2-1919 4A:1173), daughter of Arthur and Millicent Eleanor JOHNSON (née SMITH). In 1939 her father [23-9-1884] a railway labourer; mother Millicent E [17-7-1890] railway gate keeper and her brother Hugh [29-12-1922] a grocer's assistant, were at Offord Railway Crossing, Cavendish. |
940 (West Riding) Balloon Squadron was based at RAF Norton at the start of the war. Each squadron consisted of three flights of eight
balloons each. A barrage balloon, sometimes called a "blimp" is a large balloon tethered with metal cables, used to defend against aircraft attack by damaging the aircraft on collision with the cables, or at least making the attacker's approach more difficult. Some examples carried small explosive charges that would be pulled up against the aircraft to ensure its destruction. The idea was to keep attacking aircraft at a height where radar and anti-aircraft guns could be effective. Eleanor's death was registered Sheffield Q1-1942 9C:846. the exact circumstances are as yet unknown.
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