St. Patrick's Cemetery, Loos
In Memoriam card 1
In Memoriam card 2
In Memoriam card 3
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Carlyle Johnson, known as Carl, one of 6 children all of whom survived, was the 2nd born of 5 sons who had 1 elder sister. Their father George Johnson born 1860 in most census entries is listed as having been born at Dumfries, Scotland, in another at Carlisle, Cumberland, who having moved to the north east married in 1882 in the district of Lanchester to Catherine Ramsay of Monk Hesleden, County Durham, born 1861. They settled in the village of Garmondsway, near Ferryhill, County Durham where daughter Marion was born in 1884 before moving to Dene Leazes, Castle Eden. George was employed as a farm servant to support his growing family which was completed with the birth of John Ramsey Johnson in 1886, Carlyle 1887, George 1889, Charles 1892 and William in 1895. John Ramsey at the age of 15 was working as a gardener/domestic, Carlyle (14) as a shepherd boy, their father as a farm hand in the village of Shotton.
Carlyle was married in the district of Lanchester in 1910 to Elizabeth Emma Bates born 1889 at Wheatley Grange, County Durham. Newly married they lived in 2 rooms at 6, Office Row Burnhope, where their daughter Amy was born in 1911. He was employed at the colliery above ground as a cart man, his parents, sister Marion (27) and William (16) were now at 49, Low Willington, in the village of Willington, George and son William were farmers, later also at White House Farm, Willington.
Unfortunately, records are sparse as regards Carlyle Johnson’s war service. Upon his enlistment he was assigned at Private 45860 Yorkshire Regiment and posted to the 6th (Service) Battalion. The battalion in 1915 had been sent to Gallipoli where it served as part of the 32nd Brigade, 11th Division seeing action at Sulva Bay before being evacuated to Egypt taking over the defences of the Suez Canal. In June 1916 the division received orders to move to France as reinforcements on the Somme where by July 7th 1916 they were at Divisional H.Q. at Flesselles and in the front line by the 27th but did not participate in a major role until the Battle of Flers-Courcelette September 15th-22nd and the Battle of Thiepval September 26th-28th. During 1917 the battalion saw action on the Ancre before being moved to the battlefields of the Ypres salient in Belgium, participating at the Battle of Messines and the 3rd Battle of Ypres also known as the Battle of Passchendaele then returned to France.
Private 45860 Carlyle Johnson, Yorkshire Regiment was killed in action December 14th 1917 and interred at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Loos, grave II. B. 5. He was 31 years of age. His widow Elizabeth Emma received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1914-15 Star had he served overseas during that period. She commissioned at a cost of 3 shillings 9 pence an additional inspiration to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Rest In The Lord.”
After the death of her husband Elizabeth moved to “Claremont”, Prince’s Street, Bishop Auckland, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
The In Memoriam Card reads:-
In Affectionate Remembrance
of
Carlyle
Johnson
Yorkshire Regiment
The dearly loved husband of Emma Johnson
of 6 Office Row Burnhope Colliery
who was killed in France
December 14th 1917
aged 30 years
Carlyle Johnson is remembered at Iveston on I5.01 at Burnhope on B153.01 B153.03 B153.05 and B153.09
