WILLIAM JOHNSON 

Weaverham St. Marys “Roll of Honour” records 13 lads named Johnson, two of these lads are on the “Fallen” Memorial F. Johnson Pte., and Jn W. Johnson Pte.

F. (Frederick) Johnson; (Fallen), (Cheshirebmd record a Frederick Johnson born in 1877, W/ham.)

J. W. (John William) Johnson; (Fallen); (This lad appears to have been known as William.)

A. (Arthur) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd record two lads named Arthur Johnson born in 1882, W/ham.)

F. (Fred/Frederick?) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Frank P. 1886, Frank 1889, Fred 1890, and a Frank 1898 all W/ham.)

J. (James) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd records the birth of a James 1875 & 1880, James W. 1885, James F. 1886, James 1891, James W. 1891, James Edwin 1900. W/ham.)

J. (Joseph) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Joseph 1886, & 1889 and a Joseph W. 1894, W/ham.)

J. (John?) Johnson; (Is this John Johnson of Acton Bridge, one of the lads recorded as J. Johnson’s on the R.o.H.?)

J. J. (John James?) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd record a John J. Johnson born in 1894, W/ham. Freebmd records the birth of a John James Johnson.)

P. (Percy George) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd record a Percy G. Johnson born 1881, W/ham.)

R. (Reuben?) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Reuben 1891 and Raymond 1897 W/ham. A Robert Johnson was born in 1884 in N/wich.)

J. T. (John Thomas) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd records a John Thomas Johnson born in 1880 in N/wich and a John T. W. Johnson born in 1881, W/ham.)

W. (William?) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd records the birth of a William E., 1878, Walter 1879, William 1881, Walter 1882, William 1883, William 1889, and William 1897, W/ham.)

W. (William?) Johnson; (Cheshirebmd records the birth of a William E., 1878, Walter 1879, William 1881, Walter 1882, William 1883, William 1889, and William 1897, W/ham.

B. M. & Co. R.o.H. booklet, Winnington Wks, pre WW1 listings, record 18 lads named Johnson and in the post WW1 listings they list a further 10 lads named Johnson. Some of the lads above are the B. M. & Co. lads but not all.

Guardian Article 21st June 1918 P3/C1; (Same article 12/7/18 P3/C1.) ROLL OF HONOUR KILLED PRIVATE JOHN WILLIAM JOHNSON

A few days ago Mr. and Mrs. Albert Johnson of Moss Street, Weaverham, were notified that their son, Private John William Johnson, of the Cheshire Regiment, was killed. A comrade wrote; “My pal W. Johnson has been killed. Please let his mother know as she will be getting anxious. It happen on the 4th.” Private Johnson who was 23 years of age enlisted in November, 1915, and was drafted to the front twelve months later. He was formerly employed by the Weaver Refining Co., Acton Bridge. One brother was wounded in March and is now lying in a military hospital at Leeds, whilst there is still another on active service.

C.W.G.C. - remember a William Johnson at the Soissions Memorial, France. William had died on Thursday 30th May 1918, he was aged 24. William was with the 9th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, No 32623. Son of A. (Albert) and Mary Ann Johnson of 1 Moss St., Weaverham.

William’s father Albert Johnson‘s name came up with the Weaverham search. He would be recorded as William’s next of kin, they lived at 1 Moss St., Weaverham. William was with the 9th Cheshires, Reg’t. No 32623. He was 20 years of age when he signed up, his “Calling” was a Labourer and he was single. William was just 5ft 4.5ins tall and his weight was 106lbs, with a 34in girth, (chest). William’s service “Reckons” from 3rd Nov. 1915, posted private 6th Nov. 1915, posted again, 18th Nov. 1915 and joined the Exp. Force on the 16th July 1916. Comment in the files that William had gone missing on 27th March 1918. William’s travel log; Home 13/11/15 – 15/7/16 246 days, France 16/7/16 - 30/5/18 1 year 318 days, Total Service 2 years 199 days

William’s family were also included in the files, mother Mary Ann; brothers Fred, (30); James, (28); Arthur, (16); Daniel, (12); and one sister Alice, (19). Are brothers Fred and James two who had enlisted? YES.

Research Bob Heaton