Fred Varney Johnson
In 1901 when he was 13 years old, Fred was an errand boy. He enlisted in the army on 14 September 1904 although it is not known if he was in the regular army or the Territorials; his trade at this time was given as lace hand. In 1911 he was a cardboard box labourer.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
He was born about 1888 the son of Harry and Eliza Johnson. At the time of the 1911 census Harry and Eliza, who were living at 104 Hartley Road, Radford, completed the census that they had been married for 27 years and had had eight children born alive of whom seven were still living. Seven children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911; Harry A, Mabel, Fred Varney, Tom, Ivy, Constance and Dorothy Mabel (Dolly).
In 1891 Harry and Eliza were living at 16 Alfred Street Central; Harry was a coach painter. There were three children in the household on the night of the census; Mabel (5), Fred Varney (3) and Tom (1).
By 1901 the family was living at 104a Hartley Road, Radford; all seven children were in the household: Harry (16), Mabel (15), Fred (13), Tom (11), Ivy (7), Constance (6) and Dorothy Mabel (4).
Ten years later they were still at the same address but only their three youngest daughters were at home; Ivy, Connie and Dorothy (Dolly).
Fred married Florence Catherine Mary Abdy (born 30th January 1888) in Nottingham in 1909 (marriage registered Jan/Feb/Mar) and by 1911 they were living at 14 Wilton Road, Nottingham.
At the time of her husband's death, Florence, who was a leaf stripper for a tobacco manufacturer, was living at 2 Goodall Street, Hyson Green.they had no children.
Commencing 7th June 1915 his widow was awarded a pension of 15 shillings a week.
Florence married Edgar HP Trueman in Nottingham on 19th May 1917 and died in 1932 aged 42.
Private Fred Varney Johnson enlisted on 14 September 1904 at Nottingham, his service record does not survive so it is not known whether he was in the regular army or Reserve/Territorials but he was in civilian employment in 1911.
He served in the 2nd battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, He entered theatre on 10 August 1914 in France and was killed in action two months later 27th October 1914 he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret memorial. He qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 5 December 1914: 'Johnson. Killed in action October 27th, Fred Varney, KOYLI, son of Harry and Eliza Johnson, 104a Hartley Road and husband of Florence Johnson, 2 Goodall Street, Hyson Green.'
Soldiers' Effects: legatee, widow Florence Johnson (later listed as Mrs Florence Trueman).
Photo of Fred Varney Johnson
Le Touret Memorial, France courtesy of the cwgc