William Johns, better known as ‘Johnnie’ Johns, was from Eltham in London and an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA).

He was a Captain in the Royal Engineers who had been awarded the Military Cross, and was attached to 2 Special Boat Section (SBS) before joining Combined Operations Pilotage Parties (COPP). He was in COPP 3 during its Far East recommission. 

Operations in which he is known to have been involved were:

• Akyab (Sittwe) reconnaissance on 31 December 1944 and 1 January 1945.
• Demolition of stakes for Operation Pungent, landings in Myebon, on 11–12 January 1945
• Operation Baboon — reconnaissance in Phuket, Siam (now Thailand) from 8–11 March 1945, deployed from HMS TORBAY.

He was killed in action in Phuket on 9 March 1945.  He is commemorated at Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore.