No. 71974, Private, Arthur John JOHNSON
Aged 34
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Arthur John Johnson was born in Swaffham Bulbeck (apparently Newmarket Q2-1882 3B:535 ), son of Charles Arthur and Ruth JOHNSON (née CHAPMAN).
1891 census...Aged 8, he was at High Street, Swaffham Bulbeck with his father Charles A JOHNSON [28] miller ; his mother Ruth [28]; sisters Rosetta [7] and Alice [3 months] and brothers Frank [3]and Abraham [1]. All were born in Swaffham Bulbeck. 1901 census...Aged 18, a gardener, he was at Commercial End, Swaffham Bulbeck with his parents, brothers Frank(farm labourer) and Abraham and sister Lily, as well as new siblings, John [8] Ethel [7], Fanny [5] and Thurza [1]. The new children were all born in Swaffham Bulbeck. 1911 census...Aged 28, he was a domestic gardener for Richard Marsh at Egerton House Racing Stables, Newmarket. His parents were at Commercial End, Swaffham Bulbeck with his sisters Ethel, Fanny and Thurza, also brothers Albert T [8] and Charles [6] both born in Swaffham Bulbeck. 2 siblings had died. On 12th August 1914 he married Hannah Gertrude FORDHAM (b. 25-2-1883) in Swaffham Bulbeck. Army forms give his address as 12 River Road, Holloway Road, Islington and his wife was later at c/o Mrs Felsted, 9 Aubrey Mansions, Sisson Street, Marylebone. In 1919 his parents, brother Abraham, Albert and Charles, and sister Thurza were in Swaffham Bulbeck, sister Rosetta (Mrs Batten) was in Gt Wratting, Ethel (Mrs Hacking) was in Swaffham Bulbeck, Lily and Fanny were in Cambridge. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket, on 6th June 1916, giving his age as 33 years 6 months, a gardener from Commercial End, Swaffham Bulbeck. Next of kin, wife Hannah Gertrude,
née FORDHAM.
He was mobilised at Bury St. Edmunds on 11th December 1916, aged 33yrs 11 mnths, height 5 feet 5.75 inches (172.1 cm), weighing 126 lbs (57.2 kg) and chest 38" to 40.5" (96.5 to 102.9 cm). He was posted to the British Expeditionary Force on 29th May 1917 and on 31st July 1917 recorded as wounded, then wounded and missing and then as killed. His wife was awarded 13/9 per week pension ( £0.69). The 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters were engaged on this, the 1st day of 3rd Battle of Ypres (usually known as Passchendaele), in the advance towards Bellewaarde Lake. 24 Brigade attacked with 1st Worcestershire, and 2nd Northamptonshire. 2nd East Lancs and 1st Sherwood Foresters were then to pass through the lead battalions on reaching their objectives. Covered by mortar fire 2nd Northants took Bellewarde Lake. Beyond that the troops struggled through Chateau Wood barely managing to keep up with the barrage. The Worcesters and Northants advanced to the Blue Line, capturing Jacob Trench and Bellewarde Ridge. However as the Sherwood Foresters passed through them they came under heavy fire from Hanebeek Valley and Glencorse Wood and the brigade was forced to withdraw to Westhoek Ridge. Of the 78 of the Foresters who were killed, only 14 have known graves. Arthur being one of them, the rest are named on the Menin Gate in Ypres.
Arthur found here and re-interred in Hooge Crater in 1920 (www.tmapper.com) photo; Michael J Pettitt click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
