Stanley Frederick Johnson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Stanley Frederick was the second son of Fred Sewell Johnson and Alice Johnson nee Sills. His father was born in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, in 1858 (J/A/S Louth Lincolnshire) and his mother in Nottingham. Fred and Alice were married in 1881 (J/F/M Nottingham) and had seven children of whom five survived childhood. Five children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911: Nellie [also Nelly] b. 1882 (O/N/D Nottingham), Maggie b. 1884 (J/A/S Nottingham), Samuel Henry k/a/ Harry b. 1886 (A/M/J Nottingham), Stanley Frederick (possibly Fred Stan b. 1889 O/N/D Nottingham) and Leslie Sills b. 8 September 1896 (J/A/S Nottingham). In 1891 Fred (32) and Alice (35) were living at 142 Burford Road, Hyson Green, with their four children, Nellie (8), Maggie (6), Sam (5) and Fred (sic) (1). Also in the household was a servant, Betsy Rate (19). The family was at the same address in 1901. Fred was a lace warehouse manager, while Nellie (18) a milliner and Maggie (16) a dressmaker were both working from home and Harry (15) was a lace designer. Fred Stan (11) was still at school and Leslie (4) was under school age. By 1911 Fred (52) and Alice (55) were living at 7 Albert Grove, Lenton. Only three of their children were in the home on the night of the census; Nellie (28) and Maggie (26), who were still working as a milliner and dressmaker respectively, and Leslie (14) who was an apprentice litho artist. It is possible that Fred (Stan), who would have been about 21 years old in 1911, had already emigrated to Canada. He lived in Toronto and worked as a butcher. His youngest sibling, Leslie Sills Johnson, married Florence Alice Roe on 29 September 1923 at Chellaston, Derbyshire (1923 J/A/S Shardlow Derbys). He died in 1974 (Jun Rushcliffe) aged 77.
D Coy, 3rd Battalion, Toronto Regiment. Stanley enlisted on 30 July 1915 and served on the Western Front. He died at his parent's home, 7 Albert Grove, Lenton, on 12 November of pneumonia resulting from contracting influenza while on leave from France to visit his family in Nottingham. He was buried the following Saturday in Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery (Oak 3065).
Nottingham Evening Post, Roll of Honour, 13 November 1918: 'Johnson. Whilst on leave from France, of pneumonia, Pte SF (Stan), 3rd Canadians, the beloved second son of Fred S and Alice Johnson, 7 Albert Grove Lenton Sands.' Nottingham Evening Post, 15 November 1918: ‘Johnson. On the 12th inst., at 7 Albert-grove, Lenton Sands, Pte SF (Stan), 3rd Canadians, of pneumonia, whilst on leave from France. Loved by all. From his loving brother Harry, Flo and children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 15 November 1918: ‘Johnson. On the 12th int., at 7 Albert-grove, Lenton Sands, Pte. SF (Stan), 3rd Canadians, of pneumonia, whilst of leave from France, the beloved second son of Fred S, and Alice Johnson. Church Cemetery, Saturday 3.30pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’,12 November 1919: ‘Johnson. In loving remembrance of Stan, the dearly loved second son of Fred S. and Alice Johnson, who died November 12th 1918, after three years’ service in France with the 3rd Canadian Battalion. 7 Albert-Grove, London Sands.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Inscription on tablet marking Stanley's grave in Nottingham Church Cemetery: 'This tablet was placed here by the officers, NCO and the men of D-Co. 3rd Canadian Bttn. Toronto Regiment as a mark of affection for Pte. SF Johnson. Died 12th Nov. 1918 whilst on leave from France.' This is a CWGC grave without the standard CWGC headstone as a tablet was provided by Stanley's regiment. The tablet was restored by a private individual in 2018 to mark the centenary of his death.
