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John William Johnson (1896-1918)


Sacriston man joined 19th DLI commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial


According to his army service record, John William Johnson was 5 foot tall. This accounts for his being posted, in the first instance, to the 19th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI), or the “Bantams”. He subsequently served with 23rd, 3rd and 15th DLI.

The following appeared in Chester le Street Chronicle on 7 June 1918:

Pte. J.W. Johnson (22) D.L.I., whose home is at 25 Victoria Street, Sacriston, was killed in action on 18th April. The deceased enlisted May 31st 1915, and has been in France fifteen months. Prior to joining up he was employed at the Witton pit.

Civil Parish: Witton Gilbert

Birth date: 1896

Death date: 18-Apr-1918

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 26 Hunter Street, Sacriston (1901 census)
25 Victoria Street, Sacriston (1911 census and Chester-le-Street newspaper report)

Religion: Church of England

Employment: Blacksmith in coal mine (1911 census)
Coal miner at Witton Pit

Family: Parents: Humphrey Johnson, Susannah Johnson
Siblings: Humphrey Johnson, Alexander Johnson, Rebecca Johnson, Margaret S Johnson

Military service:

31 May 1915: attested, West Hartlepool
19th Battalion DLI
19/1248
Transferred to 23rd DLI
Appointed lance corporal, 22 April 1916
Appointed acting corporal, 5 August 1916
Transferred to 3rd DLI
Arrived France: 3 March 1917
Posted to 15th Battalion DLI, Etaples: 25 March 1917
18 April 1918: Killed in action

Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Tyne Cot Memorial, France
Saint Peter’s Church, Front Street, Sacriston, plaque (now at Sacriston Working Men’s Club)
Wesleyan Methodist Church, Sacriston, plaque (now at Sacriston Methodist Church)
Sacriston Institute, Front Street, roll of honour plaque (now at Fulforth Centre)
Sacriston Institute, Front Street, roll of fallen plaque (now at Fulforth Centre)

Gender: Male

Contributed by Sacriston Heritage Group | Durham County Record Office. Jack Mulligan and Lewis Cooper

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