Johnson, John A 1916

John Alfred Johnson 1892 -1916

John Alfred Johnson was born to John and Flora Johnson in September 1892 in Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire. In 1911, John describes himself as a farm labourer and is living with the Russ family in Stroud Copse, Warfield in Berkshire. He and his elder brother Charles had lost their mother in 1895 and John snr had remarried in 1896 to Harriet. With the new family growing up John needed to find a new home to make way.

John married Matilda Sarah Richardson in 1914 in Easthampstead and they lived in Wokingham when he enlisted into the Army, the 2nd battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment. Their daughter Rose Louisa May was born in November 1914 (she died in 1996). The Royal Berks took part in the Battle of the Somme and it was on July 1st, the bloody first day that John was killed.

Following John’s death, Rose and her brother Harvey were to have a stepfather and their mother was, by the time the memorial was erected, Mrs Matilda Proud.

John’s family tree has been quite difficult to construct because two J A Johnson’s were born in the registration district of Cookham, in 1892. We were fortunate to have recieved help from the family; Kirsty Reid and Linda Walker. Kirsty is John Johnson’s Great Grand daughter and tells us more of the story.

“John’s marriage certificate to Matilda Richardson (Granny Proud!) shows him as being 22 years old (1914). This ties up. Their address is listed as Chapel Terrace, Binfield, which is also listed on my Nans birth certificate as the place of her birth. I wish Nan was still alive to ask her about it. My Dad is very interested in the family history but went blind 4 years ago and so I have been researching it for him/us. Just for info Rose Louisa May Johnson married a Reginald Davis and had two sons.

Rose was the only child of John Alfred – interestingly we had always been told that her brother Harvey was her true brother, but upon researching it seems Uncle Harvey was born several years after John died! Matilda remarried and had two further children, Dora and Robert. I believe Aunt Dora is still alive, but I haven’t seen her since my Nan died in 1996.

About two years ago I contacted a lady (Linda Walker), her Grandparents were John Johnson senior and Harriet (the second marriage of John Alfred’s Father). She already knew bits about John Alfred so it is certainly him.”

Linda tells us “John Johnson and Harriet Lewendon were my grandparents, my mother was Florence Johnson (born 1914). I have been in contact with Kirsty Reid and I hope this helps to  put the record straight”.

JOHNSON
Initials: J A
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment/Service: Royal Berkshire Regiment
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 24
Date of Death: 01/07/1916
Service No: 17024
Additional information: Husband of Mrs. M. S. Proud (formerly
Johnson), of Forest Rd., Wokingham, Berks.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IX. C. 6.
Cemetery: OVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY

Forest Road, Wokingham (1922+)

Stroud Copse, Warfield (1911)

Rose Street, Wokingham (1916)

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