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Biggles author W.E. Johns recalled at RAF Museum anniversary event

By John Freeman on March 3, 2018

“Captain” W.E. Johns. Image via RAF Museum

To mark the 50th anniversary of prolific author W.E. Johns‘ death, in 1968, Roger Harris will be talking about the life and work of the famous children’s author and creator of “Biggles”.

As an enthusiast and collector of the works of W.E. Johns, Roger, who runs the fantastic wejohns.com site, will look back at the life of the RAF pilot who inspired generations of young people with tales of heroism and bravery in the skies.

A Biggles text story from Eagle

”Captain” W. E. Johns (it turns out, he wasn’t really a Captain) was born in Hertfordshire in 1893. He flew with the Royal Flying Corps in World War One and made a daring escape from a German prison camp in 1918. Between the wars he edited Flying and Popular Flying and became a writer for the Ministry of Defence.

The First Biggles story, Biggles the Camels are Coming was published in 1932, and W. E. Johns went on to write a staggering 102 Biggles titles before his death in 1968.

• The Life and Works of W.E. Johns 1.00pm Saturday 10th March RAF Museum Lecture Theatre, RAF Museum London, Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL| Book your tickets here

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With thanks to Jeremy Briggs

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.