Ernest Johnson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Frederick, a house painter, and Hannah Johnson had their first child, Alice, whilst living in Whitwell, Derbyshire. Within a year they were back in Worksop where they resided for the rest of their married lives at Bridge Street. They had another 7 children, all born in Worksop, Frederick, Annie, Charles, Harry, William, Ernest and George. By 1911, there were 4 sons still left remaining in the family home, Charles, a printers compositor, William a railway clerk, George a bricklayer and Ernest, an assistant draughtsman. It was Ernest who, at the age of 24 joined the Scots Guards on the 21st October 1916.
Pte. Ernest Johnson Worksop Guardian 26 October 1917 Another Worksop soldier to make the great sacrifice is Pte. Ernest Johnson, Royal Scots’, fifth son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Johnson, Bridge Street, Worksop. He enlisted on October 20th last year, and after training at Cogglesall Essex, and Fermoy, (Ireland), he volunteered for a draft? Call, and left Ireland for France on June 2nd. He was killed whilst gallantly fighting on September 26th. The news was conveyed in the following letter, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson from their boy’s chum, A. S. Roberts: - “I hope you will forgive my intrusion, but as I was Ernest’s best chum, I thought I would take this opportunity of writing to you and express my heartfelt sympathy at the loss of your son, who was shot while we were making an attack on the enemy on the morning of the 26th. Ernest came with me from Derby nearly a year ago, and we had always been good friends, so you will guess what a shock it was to me when I heard that he had been killed in action. I scarcely know what to write to you, but Ernest was always liked in his platoon, as he was such a nice, quiet young man, and his death came as a shock to his many friends…..Wishing you my heartfelt sympathy and every condolence in your great bereavement, I remain, yours very sincerely, A. S. Roberts”. Pte. Johnson was well known in Worksop, and much sympathy is expressed with his parents, who have three other sons serving, Viz, Fred, in the Welsh Guards, who has been wounded and is now, back with his Regiment. Harry, who is in the Canadians, and who was seriously wounded on the Somme last November, and is still in hospital; and George, who is in the Sherwood Rangers, now in Palestine. Pte. Ernest Johnson is an old Abbey Schoolboy and was for several years a member of the Priory Church Choir under Mr. Pickford. After leaving school he entered Messrs. Steel and Garlands, being in the drawing office, and afterwards on the office staff of Messrs, Samuel Osborne and Son’s, Sheffield
CWG additional information:- Son of Fred and Hannah Johnson, of Dowse's Cottage, Bridge St., Worksop, Notts. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Research by Colin Dannatt
