Amy Johnson was born in Hull on 1st July 1903, the daughter of John William Johnson, from the family firm of Andrew Johnson, Knudtzon and Company, fish merchants. She was also the grand-daughter of successful mill-owner William Hodge who was Mayor of Hull in 1860.
When she was eighteen she began a relationship with a Swiss businessman, Hans Arregger, who was living in Hull. Amy had hoped they would marry, but the relationship broke down and Hans married another woman, but he kept Amy's letters for the rest of his life (they are now held at the Hull History centre).
In 1925 after completing a B.A. degree at Sheffield University Amy returned to Hull to undertake a secretarial course at Wood's College. In the spring of 1926 she wrote to Hans: “...Mollie and I went up in the aeroplane. We both enjoyed it, but I would have liked to have done some stunts.” The following year she moved to London to pursue a career in advertising.
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