Introduction to a War Hero
A blue badge was unveiled to remind a war hero and mark its legacy. John Henry Smythe, known as Johnny, left Sierra Leone in 1941 to join the RAF. Then he became one of the first black lawyers in Great Britain before settling in Thame, Oxfordshire. Johnny died in 1996, but the Tiel Museum continues to remember its heroic residents with a "very special exhibition" and a blue badge in his old house.
Early Life and Career
Johnny was one of 60 men from the Africa continent who acted as an aircraft crew in the Air Force during the Second World War. After he had qualified as a navigator and was promoted to a flight officer, his son explained that he was based in Norfolk in 623 Squadron and "he started his operations there". At this special time in 1943, the wear rate for Bomber Command and the planes, in which it was shot down with a very, very fast node rate, was very high.
War Experience
In fact, Johnny was shot down during his fifth operation, his fifth mission, which was actually his 27th flight. He made a successful parachute jump out of the plane, but was captured and spent 18 months in Staag air 1 prisoner of the war camp. In 1951 he was awarded a military MBE. Mr. Smythe described his father as "very strong" and someone who promoted "very high morality and strong principles".
Life After the War
After the war he returned to Sierra Leone. Smythe said his father was a lawyer who originally worked for the government. Then he became the Attorney General and then Attorney General for the Land. He helped to write the new constitution in 1961 and later went to private practice and founded his own legal chambers. He was awarded an OBE for his services for the government in 1978.
Legacy
Johnny retired and spent his last five years in Thame to be close to his son. He is buried on St. Mary’s Churchyard. Mr. Smythe said it was "a very special moment" when Tiel Museum decided to tell his life story – "it was enormous for the family". He said, "Although the people in Beahen knew him, they had absolutely no idea about his life results because he was relatively modest. I also don’t think he fully understood what he achieved, I really don’t think he has ever understood it."
Tribute
The event, which took place last Saturday, was "visited" by the mayor and deputy mayor of Thame, the County County Council in Oxfordshire, as well as the representatives of the RAF and the Lord Williams’ school, in which his life is part of the curriculum for history. He said, "It was a fantastic day, very humble for the family and full of better talking." Eddy Smythe, his son, said: "It sent shaking frost through my body when the badge was unveiled and saw his name there, this recognition he never was looking for was amazing." The blue badge is located outside of Johnny Smythe’s home in Thame, serving as a reminder of his remarkable legacy.
