William Henry Johnson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Henry Johnson, a book keeper by trade, and Rose Hannah Beck married in 1875 in Doncaster. In 1881 they were living in 6 Beaver Place, Worksop and had had their first Child named William Henry after his father. The couple had two more children, both girls, Louisa and Florence. Although another boy was born to them called Cyril, he unfortunately died when he was only 3 years old. By now the family had moved to Dock Road where they spent many years residing there. William Henry junior, by 1901 had moved to Skipton, Yorks, working as a railway clerk. He married Annie Harmston in 1908 at Skipton. She was the daughter of Charles Harmston in whose household William had previously been a boarder. Their address was Upper Sackville Street, Skipton, the same residence that is mentioned in the will of William after his death in the National probate calendar:- William Henry Johnson of Upper Sackville Street, Skipton, died 25th Aug 1918 in France. Probate London 23rd May to Annie Johnson widow effects £297.
Range taker Wm Ht Johnson Worksop Guardian 20 September 1918 In our last issue we recorded briefly the death of Range taker Wm Ht Johnson, M.G.C. only son of Mr and Mrs W H Johnson, Dock Road, Worksop, who was killed in action on Aug 26th. The late soldier was not so well known in Worksop as his parents, he having been engaged for many years as a booking clerk at Skipton, Yorkshire, and only occasionally visiting his native place, where his family have been settled and are highly respected. The “Skipton Herald” reports hid death with great regret and speaks most highly of him. He had been book keeping at Skipton for 10 years and he was also a bass singer for many years in the Christ Church choir, and took a permanent part in concerts and entertainments, promoted with connection with the church. He married a daughter of Mr Harmston, Granville Street, Skipton and in a letter to her, the deceased is spoken of by his chums as being liked by all the section with which he was serving. He had been in France five months. He was 38 years of age. The sympathy of our readers will be extended to his parents and sisters in the loss of an only son and brother. The following is a copy of a letter received by Mrs Johnson, the deceased soldiers widow, showing the good feeling between him and his chums:- “Dear Madam, I beg to acknowledge the parcel which arrived today, and which you must have sent on before receiving our letter to you with regard to your husband. Well, we have shared it around the boys of his section, for I know he would have wished us to do so, as it is a rule amongst the boys, and then we send word to the lines to break the news, so we all send our sincere sympathy to you, and we feel very much the loss of a good pal (for we have lost a good many in this affair), and I hope you get his papers etc. I was next to him at the time, and he could not know anything about it at all, for he was just bending down to put some tea in his mess tin. We have laid him to rest near “Bongray Farm” New Bray, Somme, so you will be able to visit his last resting place, where a good many poor mother will not, We are out for a brief rest, which we will need, so I will close sending you our best thanks and thanking you for the parcel, I remain yours sincerely, Corpl W Marsland, MGC.”
CWG additional information:- Son of William Henry and Hannah Johnson, of Worksop, Notts.; husband of Annie Johnson, of 17, Upper Sackville St., Skipton, Yorks. Formerly 270203, W. Yorks Regt. Commemorated on the Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery Bray-sur-Somme, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
