“Johnny” Preferred

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1043, 6 August 1930, Page 9

“Johnny” Preferred

SICK OF THE PUBLICITY Amy Johnson’s Homecoming NOT KEEN ABOUT MARRIAGE OFFERS United P.A.—By Telegraph—+Copy right LONDON, Tuesday. CANNOT we drop this ‘Amy Johnson’? She is an appalling person. lam sick of the sight of my photographs in the newspapers; sick of my own name. Cannot I now be called ‘Johnny,’ the name I was known by in the London Aero Club?” So spoke the girl flier, Miss Amy Johnson, as she faced the vast multitude of welcomers at Croydon airdrome, from which she had departed unknown and unheralded three months before.

Miss Johnson was cool and charming, and not the least perturbed by the tumultuous welcome which must iu point of numbers and enthusiasm have excelled any individual welcome to London. Lord Thomson, on behalf of the Government, said Miss Johnson’s flight would remain one of the most memorable achievements of the year 1930, which had been a young women’s year. Fired by a spirit of adventure. Miss Johnson had contributed to the development of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Her lonely progress along the long trail blazed by intrepid airmen years ago, and still beset by mysteries and hazards for the most accomplished and most experienced pilots, had been watched with tense and ever-growing interest. Her indomitable resolution compelled respect; her plucky tenacity had won a way to British hearts and the people assembled there had come to pay tribute to her magnificent qualities, which had brought such success. IN THE SILENT SKY In replying, Miss Johnson said she was never so happy as when she was alone in the silent places of the sky. “These are my tastes. It requires all my courage to make speeches. I want to show you by my flying, which I am undertaking to encourage aviation in. England, exactly how I love England, how glad I am to be a member of our wonderful Empire, and how deep is my gratitude to everybody.” Miss Johnson’s voice was clear and distinct. It was broadcast throughout England. When the air liner City of Glasgow crossed the coast it, had been accompanied by a bewildering array of airplanes, large and small, which flew in formation to Croydon, constituting the greatest aerial welcome ever accorded in Britain. Thousands of people assembled on the cliffs had seen this armada of the air escorting England’s heroine.

When the speeches were finished the spectators rushed toward the platform. Miss Johnson shook hands with her friends. Then she was surrounded by enthusiastic admirers and virtually rushed off her feet toward a waiting motor-car, which was followed by a procession to the airdrome as the girl flier waved to the crowd. By that time darkness had fallen and the procession continued under the flare of flood-lights toward the airdrome buildings. Later, when Miss Johnson came out of the buildings, she was escorted by several policemen to her car, and bejran a triumphal journey to London. It was midnight before Grosvenor House was reached, after a long drive through streets lined six deep with cheering crowds of people. The car was slowed down on passing the Cenotaph, to which Miss Johnson paid tribute. HYSTERICAL WOMEN Progress was difficult through Trafalgar Square, and the enthusiasm of the public was intensified at Grosvenor House, where Miss Johnson was mobbed as she stepped out of the car and forced her way up the steps, assisted by policemen. Girls threw mascots, flowers, and presents at her, and many tried to kiss her and shake her hands. Women fainted, and children were knocked down in the crush. Miss Johnson appeared on the balcony soon afterwar Is, and waved her thanks to the chej.-ing crowd. In an interview she said. “Sydney gave me a tremendous welcome, but London’s welcome has beaten it tonight. It was frightfully bumpy flying today. I hate being a passenger after having a pilot. I have received innumerable offers of marriage from various parts of the world, but they do not interest me.” Miss Johnson’s friends would have kept her talking all night, but her parents intervened, and marched her off to bed.