JOHN WILLIAM JOHNSON 1889–1968

Born 18th October 1889, Moulton, Lincs

Married to Ethel Hopewell, 5th May 1915 at St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe on Trent. Children John Hopewell (Jack), born 1917, George Alec born 1920, twins Hubert and Leslie born 1921 and Maurice born 1930

Died 27th November 1968, age 79, Acton, Ontario, Canada

1901 Census

Age 11 at school living in Holbeach Marsh, Lincs with father John Thomas 37, farm labourer, mother Eliza (née Wright) 31 and brothers Bertie 8, George 6 and Harry 3.

1911 Census

Age 21, working as a farm labourer. He lived with his parents at Crown House, Holbeach St Marks. His father and brothers Bertie and George were also farm labourers. His brother Harry was a shop assistant. More siblings had been born – Bertha 8, Violet 6, Arthur 4 and Margaret 1.

Military Service

Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Service Number: J65086

Military Unit: Royal Navy

Theatre of War: Possibly France and Flanders and Balkans -HMS Venerable supported troops on the Western Front and at Gallipoli.

Occupation on enlistment: Poor Law official

Height 5ft 8½ ins, chest 39 ins, hair brown, eyes blue, complexion fresh

He took employment at Notts. County Asylum (Saxondale), he is listed in their records as an attendant who served in the Armed Forces on the HMS Venerable. He is recorded on Ancestry as serving on the following ships:

8.1.17–23.2.17:  Pembroke I (Chatham barracks)

24.2.17–4.5.17:   Crescent (depot ship in the UK)

5.5.17–21.11.17:  Pembroke I

Invalided out November 1917: ‘Nerve and middle ear deafness Left and right.’

Pension awarded 30% disability for life. In 1922 12 shillings (60p) plus 5 shillings 3d (26p) for wife and children

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory

Other information

His Occupation in marriage register given as asylum attendant, residence: Carrington. All their children were born in Holbeach, Lincs.

1921 Census

Address: 16 Sluice Road, Holbeach, Lincs

Employment: Small holder

Household: wife Ethel, sons John and George Alec, born 1920

1939 Register

Address:  39 Sluice Road, East Elloe, Lincs.

Occupation: Small holder of lands

Household: living with wife Ethel and son Maurice

Reasons for inclusion on the Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Worked in the parish of Radcliffe on Trent at the Asylum and married a woman from the village.