Amy Johnson blue plaque unveiled in Child's Hill

A blue plaque has been unveiled at Vernon Court, Hendon Way, Child's Hill, marking the former home of pioneering aviator Amy Johnson. Johnson, known as 'the Queen of the Air', achieved international recognition for her daring flights during the 1930s.

Early Life and Aviation Achievements

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Born in Kingston upon Hull in 1903, Johnson earned a degree in economics before moving to London. She developed an interest in flying, joining the London Aeroplane Club in 1928 and obtaining her pilot’s licence by the end of 1929. With financial support from her father, she acquired her first aircraft, a Gypsy Moth named Jason.

In 1930, Johnson achieved global fame by becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Departing from Croydon Airport with just 100 hours of flying experience, she completed the 11,000-mile journey to Darwin in 19 days. This feat earned her the Harmon Trophy and a CBE.

Johnson moved into her Hendon Way residence in the same year as her record-breaking flight. Throughout the 1930s, she undertook further significant flights. In July 1931, flying Jason II, she and co-pilot Jack Humphreys completed the first one-day flight from London to Moscow, continuing to Tokyo and setting a new speed record for the route.

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Marriage and Further Flights

In 1932, she married fellow pilot Jim Mollison. The couple lived nomadically, residing in hotels rather than Johnson's Hendon Way home. That same year, Johnson set a new solo record for the London to Cape Town flight using her de Havilland Puss Moth, Desert Cloud. The following year, she and Mollison attempted a nonstop flight from South Wales to New York City, but crash-landed due to low fuel, surviving with minor injuries.

Wartime Service and Final Flight

Following her divorce from Mollison in 1937, Johnson explored various career paths. With the outbreak of war, she returned to aviation, flying RAF aircraft for the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). She held the rank of first officer. Johnson died on 5 January 1941, while flying an Airspeed Oxford for the ATA. Reports suggest she may have run out of fuel in adverse weather and crashed into the Thames Estuary. Despite rescue attempts, her body was never recovered. A memorial service was held, and she is commemorated on the Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede.

The mystery surrounding her final flight has persisted, with some accounts suggesting she may have been mistakenly shot down.