W. E. Johns

William Earl Johns ( born February 5, 1893 in Bengeo, Hertfordshire, † June 21, 1968 ) was an English pilot and writer. He became known in addition to his own name and under the pseudonyms Captain WE Johns and WE Johns and William Earle.

Life and work

John came from a humble background, his father was a tailor, his mother saleswoman. As of January 1905, he attended Hertford Grammar School of his native city and some time evening classes of the local art school. In the summer of 1907 he began a four-year education in the local administration. In 1912 he was appointed as a health inspector to Swaffham (Norfolk ).

1913 Johns reported as a volunteer for the Territorial Army (Norfolk Yeomanry ). In August 1914, he appeared there at his service. Since mobilization was increasingly likely married John on October 6, 1914 Maud Penelope Hunt ( 1882-1914 ) and had with her ​​a son, William Earl.

In September 1915 we went to Turkey to strengthen there in the Battle of Gallipoli, the British troops. In the fall of 1916 John was transferred to the artillery. He was later stationed on the Macedonian front in Greece, but was due to malaria longer time in the hospital. The following year he was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps ( RFC) and ordered flight training due back to England.

After the end of World War Johns remained in the Royal Air Force ( RAF). He worked in the administration and also served as a recruiting officer. In this paper TE Lawrence fell on him, who wanted to report under the pseudonym TE Shaw as a simple volunteer for the RAF. It was only on the orders of General Philip Chetwode Walhouse, 1st Baron Chetwode Lawrence could submerge with the wrong name.

1923 Johns separated from his wife and committed for another four years. Stationed in Birmingham, he led in turn a recruiting office. There he made the acquaintance of Doris May Leigh (1900-1969), who later lived with him in Newcastle upon Tyne together. From that time, D. M. Leigh as " Mrs. Johns ', even though John had never divorced.

On October 15, 1927, adopted Johns to retirement. For four years, until October 15, 1931, you still took him as a reservist and then finally he retired back into private life. As a specialist in the RAF and flying he wrote as a freelancer for several newspapers and magazines. The John Hamilton Ltd. became aware of him and John was with their support as of March 1932, the magazine "Popular Flying " published.

Reception

As an author, John was very successful debut in 1922 with his novel " Mossyface "; this work was published under the pseudonym William Earle. In his magazine "Popular Flying " and the first " Biggles " story was published. " Biggles " brought it on over a hundred volumes and became his magnum opus. The first Biggles novel "The camels are coming " was released in the summer of 1932 still under William Earle, then later as' Capt. E. W. Johns; the last shortly before his death under W. E. Johns.

Works (selection)

• Biggles cycle. 1932-1968 (100 vols )
• Steeley series. 1936-1939 (6 vols ).
• Worral series. 1941-1950 (11 Dde. ).
• Gimlet series. 1943-1954 (10 vols ).