William Henry Johnson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Henry Johnson was born in 1883 the son of John Johnson William Henry married Georgina Dallison (born 15th July 1882 Annesley) on 1st April 1907 at Mansfield, they lived at 14 Byron Street, Mansfield, and had a daughter Dorothy Edna Johnson born 14th August 1907. In 1911 the family lived at Forest Skegby near Mansfield Nottinghamshire, William Henry 28 yrs is a coal miner hewer, he is living with is wife Georgina 28 yrs and their daughter Dorothy Edna 3 yrs, also living with them is his widowed father John Johnson 69 yrs a coal miner hewer. His widow lived at 106 Outram Stret, Sutton in Ashfield,
Lance Corporal William Henry Johnson served with the Royal Marine Light Infantry. William was killed in action on 6th May 1915 at Gallipoli. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey (Panels 2 to 7). Johnson was one of 'Kitchener's Marines' who were transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the RMLI. Des Turner notes '600 RMLI transfers came from 2 regiments - 200 from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and 400 from the Sherwood Foresters. They were predominantly ex-miners and labourers, fit men wanted for their ability to dig trenches and tunnels. The 200 KOYLI recruits were transferred to Plymouth Division RMLI and were given service numbers PLY/1(S) to PLY200(S). This was also the case for the Sherwood Foresters 200 who were dispatched to Portsmouth where already 30 men were recruited and so they became PO/31(S) to PO/230(S). 200 remaining Foresters went to Chatham and were numbered CH/1 to CH/200(S).'
William Henry Johnson is commemorated in a Book of Remembrance held by Mansfield District Council. CWGC additional information: 'Husband of Georgina Johnson, of 14, Byron St., Mansfield, Notts.' Mansfield Reporter, 4 June 1915: ‘Suttonians Killed in the Dardanelles. We regret to announce the death of several Suttonians in the Dardanelles’ fighting. They are as follows: Private Thos Goodall, 25 Fairfield-road. Private William Hy Potter, Mason-street. Private Robert Waldron, High Pavement. Lance-Corpl. WH Johnson, who was connected with the Skegby Cricket Club. All the men were in the Royal Marine Light Infantry.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
