S. G. M. (Simon) Johnson (FS 70-73). Nina Johnson, Simon’s wife, has kindly sent in the following tribute: “Special people leave this world having made it a better place. Simon had wonderful parents in Peter and Liz, who set him on the road to an interesting education, first at Miss Junes, onto Moorlands and then St Bees School in Cumbria where his polishing of the CCF Badges was legendary. Though he claimed not to be sporty he loved the game of fives, but the group never got their Guinness World Record ratified! Squash and skateboarding activities he also enjoyed. Then followed Park Lane College of Further Entertainment and with the ‘Roundhay Gang’ he enjoyed adventures in the Lake District in a Fiat 500, acting as a ‘roadie’ at concerts so that he got in free, seeing great stars on their journey to fame - music was always a passion, also model-making, be it planes, tanks, boats. At our wedding Peter, the best man, raised eyebrows by saying Simon used to retire quite often to his bedroom with a model! Holiday jobs at Johnsons or PGW helped to fund another passion, cars. At that time, it was VW Beetles, finishing a run of three with a Last Edition Silver B2, which became my runabout in London when the tank could be filled for £5 - those were the days!
A foot in the door at Radio Leeds led to his crossing the border to Lancashire and working at the then Radio Blackburn. The adventures really did begin when I was working in London on the Generation Game and Blankety Blank and Simon used to drive down almost every weekend in the Silver Beetle, his record time being 2hrs 55 minutes having been in the slip stream of various vehicles! He was always on hand to help with technical support for my Drama Group’s church Christmas plays (he did the voice of God!), as I aways volunteered him and said I know a man who can. Simon and Gerald produced one of the first single’s for Children in Need, with Jon Anderson of the group Yes at Radio Lancashire - crazy nights but such fun. Then it was time to settle down as my father would say - and although my mother warned Simon that I was a bit of a ‘wild cat’ he was not put off - sadly my mother could not share our wonderful wedding in 1984.
Our honeymoon gave a flavour of what was to come - the Normandy beaches, gun emplacements and war memorials! The Willys Jeep was obtained to take both our fathers back to Normandy for the 50th Anniversary. What an incredible trip we had, and finding out that they landed on the same beach one day apart was mind-blowing. We filmed their chats each night over a few whiskies and Bradley’s collection of Solido vehicles grew.
Moving to Manchester with the BBC, Simon gained new skills; always a trendsetter, working in the new concept of Bi-Media, Studio Cameras, the Satellite Truck and Video Editing; he could turn his hand to anything, but also helped others; the only things he struggled with were hoovering and dusting! When he worked on the Sydney Para Olympics, he not only globe-trotted but helped the Spanish broadcasters get on air - he was the 4th Emergency Service. He was always helping someone or some group - be it The Air Cadets when his son Bradley joined, the British Legion, Help for Heroes, and the various military charities.
Simons’ involvement with the Military Vehicle Trust started with helping with press and publicity, which led to a phone call one day and a voice saying could you find me a tank? This was for a memorial to the veterans of the battle for Hill 112 - of course he helped, and it is there. Becoming chairman of the MVT was a role and a responsibility he took very seriously, and he worked tirelessly to modernise and develop the club to a very high standard, and I am proud of what he did and achieved. Simon’s retirement had given us time to make more precious moments and of course new hobbies. His enthusiasm, talents and support for people and causes knew no bounds. Unfortunately, he contracted pulmonary fibrosis, an awful disease. He missed out on two lung transplants and was taken into hospital and tragically caught Covid. He was so very brave dealing with the challenges and the restrictions he faced. All the messages, cards and calls subsequently received have said what a gentleman, how generous, kind, helpful, diplomatic, supportive, knowledgeable and loving they found him. To all of the people who respected, gave him friendship and support, I thank you.” Further photos may be seen here. A copy of the Service of Thanksgiving may be viewed here.

 

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The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk