John Henry Johnson
1901 - clothiers' assistant.
1911 - grocer's assistant.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John Henry was the son of Samuel and Linda Johnson (née Storer).
His father Samuel was born in 1853 (reg. Chesterfield). His mother Linda was born in Alfreton, the daughter of Ann Storer, and baptised at Alfreton parish church in November 1853. Samuel, a miner, and Linda were married at Alfreton parish church in April 1873 and had 13 children, three of whom died in infancy or childhood; Sydney Storer b 1888 d. 1888, Albert Ernest b. 1890 (JAS) d. 1890 (JAS) and Elsie b. 1892 d. 1893 (AMJ). Nine other children have been traced on the census returns 1891-1911: George William b. 1876, Mary Ann b. 1878, Martha b. 1880, Linda b. 1882 (reg. JFM), Samuel b. 1885, John Henry b. 1886, Raymond Clarence b. 1889, Ethel Mary b. 1894 and Leonora b. 1895.
Henry [John Henry] married Sylvia Huddleston Saxby in 1913 (reg. OND Nottingham); they had two sons, Clarence Roy (b. Jan. 1914) and Cyril Francis (b. Jan. 1916).
Sylvia was the daughter of Francis Saxby and his wife Mary Elizabeth (née Matthews). Her parents were married at Carrington St John, Nottingham, in March 1888 and had four children: Caroline Emily Ling (Linnie) b. 1888, Sylvia Huddleston birth reg. 1894 (JFM) bap. Nottingham St John 11 February 1894, Eliza Ann May (May) b. 1898 and Eric Matthews birth reg. 1906 (JFM). The couple also had an adopted daughter, Lily Ling (b. abt. 1887, Alfreton).
Francis, a groom/coachman (domestic service), his wife and their first child, Caroline, were living at 22 Hall Street, Carrington, in 1891 but had moved to Bunbury Street, Meadows, when their second daughter, Sylvia, was baptised in 1894. The family, including Lily Ling and a boarder, Arthur Johnson, were living on Kirke White Street, Meadows, by 1901. Francis was now a tram driver (later motorman) with Nottingham Corporation and continued to work for the tramways until he retired. Their son Eric was born five years later. Francis and Elizabeth, three of their daughters, Lily, their son Eric and three boarders, including Arthur Johnson, were recorded on the 1911 Census at 207 Wilford Road, Meadows. Their eldest daughter, Linnie, had married Edward Henry Fisher, a chauffeur, at Wilford parish church (St Wilfrid) in January 1910; they had one child, Edward Francis.
Sylvia's died on 11 November 1918 (Armistice Day), five months after the death of her husband, and their two sons were left in the care of their maternal grandparents.
Francis and Mary were living at 199 Wilford Road by 1921. Also in the home were their son, Eric, an electrical engineer, their two grandsons who were school age, their married daughter, Mary Dodman and her husband Christopher (m. 1918), and three boarders, Arthur Johnson and a married couple, Arthur and Alice Reardon. They were still living at the same address in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Also in the household were their son Eric, an electrician, and their two grandsons, Clarence, a press tool maker, and Cyril, a dairyman.
Francis Saxby died in 1944 and his widow in 1950. Their son, who had married in July 1940, died in 1980, and their grandson Cyril died in 1993; Clarence Roy has not yet been traced after 1939.
John Henry Johnson served as Henry Johnson (alias).
He joined the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) and was killed in action on 30 May 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France.
CWGC history of the Soissons Memorial (extract): 'The original British Expeditionary Force crossed the Aisne in August 1914 a few kilometres west of Soissons, and re-crossed it in September a few kilometres east. For the next three and a half years, this part of the front was held by French forces and the city remained within the range of German artillery. At the end of April 1918, five divisions of Commonwealth forces (IX Corps) were posted to the French 6th Army in this sector to rest and refit following the German offensives on the Somme and Lys. Here, at the end of May, they found themselves facing the overwhelming German attack which, despite fierce opposition, pushed the Allies back across the Aisne to the Marne. Having suffered 15,000 fatal casualties, IX Corps was withdrawn from this front in early July, but was replaced by XXII Corps, who took part in the Allied counter attack that had driven back the Germans by early August and recovered the lost ground.' (www.cwgc.org)
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Inscription:
Face 1. In loving memory of Francis Saxby, died Jan. 1st 1944, aged 75 years. Also Mary Elizabeth Saxby wife of Francis, died Nov. 4th 1950, aged 82 years.
Face 2. In loving memory of Sylvia H Johnson, dearly loved daughter of F & ME Saxby, died Novr. 11th 1918, aged 24 years. She was one of earth’s sweetest flowers. Also John H Johnson, her beloved husband, killed in action in France, May 30th 1918, aged 34 years. May his reward be as great as his sacrifice.
Henry's Army service record includes a War Office letter to OIC Infantry regarding the disposal of his personal property: 'Articles of personal property belonging to the late 201338 Private Henry Johnson (alias) John Henry Johnson, 1st Bn Notts & Derby to be sent to Mr Francis Saxby 199 Wilfred Road Nottingham who should be informed that they are the property of the late soldiers’ children.'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 11 November 1919: ‘Johnson. In loving memory of our dear sister Sylvia, who passed away November 11th, 1918. A loving sister, true and kind, beautiful memories left behind. Linnie and Harry.’ [Caroline Emily Ling m. 1910 Edward Henry Fisher] (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 11 November 1919: ‘Johnson. In loving memory of our dear sister Sylvia who passed away November 11th, 1918. One year has passed, but still we miss her, none but aching hearts can tell, but in heaven we hope to meet her, never more to say farewell. May and Chris.’ [Eliza Ann May m. 1918 Christopher Dodman] (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 28 September 1931: ‘Died in his Chair. Tragic End of a Well-Known Alfreton Figure. Mr Samuel Johnson, of Hall Street, Alfreton, died suddenly in his chair at home last night. He had apparently been in his customary health up to his fatal seizure. Mr Johnson had attended the evening service at the Alfreton United Methodist Church, and returned home to entertain the preacher for the day to supper. During the evening he had a seizure and passed away. He was 78 years of age, and leaves a widow and an adult family. Mr Johnson had lived in Alfreton many years and was an old member of the Alfreton Urban Council and an ex-chairman of that body. He retired from the council, and was elected rate collector some 20 years of more ago. He gave up the position about two years ago, after a revision of the duties under the last Local Government Act. He was one of the oldest local preachers in the Ripley United Methodist circuit, and had held many offices at his own church in Alfreton.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Henry Johnson
Commemorated on the Soissons Memorial. Photograph courtesy of Andrew Mackay.
Photo of Henry Johnson
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand (April 2026)
Photo of Henry Johnson
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand (April 2026)
Photo of Henry Johnson
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand (April 2026)