Brian Johnson

Published on 4th January 2018

It is with real sadness that we have to announce the death of one of our longest serving observers, Brian Johnson.

Brian passed his car test in September 1986 and became an observer soon after. He continued in this role for 26 years, helping many of our Associates successfully achieve advanced driver status.

Being a trucker by trade (he drove for Golden Wonder amongst others), Brian followed this up with his commercial test in 1988. Becoming an observer for commercial vehicles naturally followed! Over the next five years Brian helped 11 drivers pass their commercial Advanced Driving test.

Brian joined our committee in 1995 only resigning in 2013 due to ill-health. During this time he became Chief Observer, responsible for standards and training of all our observers. He also arranged many specialist events, often involving a coach or bus from the Northampton Historical Vehicle Association of which he was a member. The Group enjoyed turning up to Bletchley Park, Sulgrave Manor and the National Tramway museum in one of their beautiful vehicles.

Always generous with his time and with a heart of gold, Brian used to hold sessions with his truck so Group members could understand the view from the cab and have a go at manoeuvring.

Brian had a never ending supply of jokes and one-liners, and a beaming smile! He was also an expert crossworder, and often set the crosswords in our newsletter.

Away from the IAM, Brian was a keen scrabble player, and was a member of the Northampton Twinning Association. This meant he had many trips to twinned towns, and knew the Mayor of Northampton – whom he always brought as a guest to our Christmas meals!

In 2011 Brian was awarded The Presidents Award to thank him for his excellent service to the group.