Basil Lawrence Ivan Johnson, CBE, DFM, was a lifelong faithful member of St. Agnes from his christening day shortly after his birth on 1st February 1920, to his final going home on 21st April 2005.
He attended St. Agnes Day School where his mother, Mrs. Florence Johnson of Hay Street, was a day school teacher and throughout his life he served St Agnes. He was a member of the St. Agnes Anglican Church Men and in January 2000 received an award for long and dedicated service to St. Agnes.
In June 1993 he was named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours as Commander of the British Empire for his service during World War II, his leadership skills and his active involvement in civic and religious services to his country.
In February 1999 he was named as one of the 100 Most Outstanding Bahamians of the 20th Century by Jones communications for his war service and his work with The Bahamas Branch of the Royal British Legion.
A World War II Veteran, he served with distinction in the British Royal Air Force Voluntary Reserves between 1941-1946 where he rose to the rank of Warrant Officer in the Pathfinder Force and was awarded the Distinguished Flying medal in recognition of his high sense of devotion to duty. He was the President of The Bahamas Branch of the British Legion for forty years, and championed the Legion’s Poppy Day activities for forty-three years.
An engineer by profession, Mr. Johnson was employed at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation from 1936 to 1980. He was married to the late Eunice Johnson and they had four children.