Dorothy served in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during the Second World War.



On 2 May 1942, she married Private Ernest P. Johnson, from Arcadia, Wisconsin. This was reported as the first WWII marriage between an American serviceman and a British woman.



Ernest Johnson was a member of the Arcadia 32nd Military Police (MP) company, National Guard, and was stationed in London at the time of their marriage.



Their daughter Frances was born in London on 8 April 1943. After her baptism, one of Ernest’s friends, Private Henry Resten, who was from the same MP company, sent in a photograph he had taken on the day to his parents with the following comment:

“The picture I am sending is of Ernest Johnson and their baby the day the baby was baptised. I was godfather and Joyce West, one of Mrs. Johnson’s friends was godmother. It was a beautiful service and made me feel good all over.”



The couple had three more children – Ronald, Michael and Stephen – and lived for many years in Arcadia, Wisconsin. Ernest died in 1991, Dorothy in 2001.



Frances M Johnson died 9 April 2002.



Ronald P Johnson was born 24 July 1944? in Fulham, London and died 20 November 1965 in Vietnam.



Michael Johnson was born 3 April 1946 in Arcadia, Wisconsin and died 10 May 1972.



Their youngest, Steven Johnson was born 2 March 1951 in Arcadia, Wisconsin.