Arthur Johnson

Corpl. A Johnson Worksop Guardian 12 April 1918 Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson, of 23 Kilton Road, Worksop, have received information that their son, Corpl. Arthur Johnson, Machine Gun Corps., was killed in action on March 21st. A letter from deceased’s Officer, written on April 1st reads as follows:- “Dear Mrs Johnson,-With the deepest regret I have to inform you that your son Corpl. Arthur Johnson was killed on March 21st. He was shot through the heart. Corpl. Johnson had been in my section for a year and I assure you that it was a pleasure to be associated with him. A good soldier and a good sportsman, he was respected and admired by all who knew him. A short time ago I recommended him for a decoration for his bravery and good work….. Please accept my sincere sympathy, I feel his loss personally, very keenly yours faithfully, H.C.Sturgess, Sec. Lieut.” Corpl. Johnson was also mentioned as missing in a letter from Lance Corpl. T. Beal to his parents, Mr. and Mrs J. Beal, Carlton road. Deceased was on the Army Reserve before the war broke out, and he was called up on August 9th, 1914, previously being employed at Manton. He was wounded at Neuve Chapelle on May 9th in the arm and the shoulder. About five weeks ago he was home on leave. His brother Pioneer John Johnson, is on service in France with the flying Pigeon Service, and another brother, Gunner Fred Johnson, has been with the R.G.A. in the West Indies for about three years. Deceased‘s brother in law, Pte. Barry Smith is in a Labour Corps. Attached to the Royal Fusiliers. The family are well know and respected in the town, and much sympathy will be expressed with them in their bereavement

CWG additional information:- Son of John and Emma Johnson, of 23, Kilton Rd., Worksop, Notts. His Croix de Guerre award is engraved against his name on the Priory Church memorial. Commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Research by Colin Dannatt