Satley St Cuthbert

Benjamin Johnson Jnr, one of 8 known children, was the 3rd born of 5 sons, he had 2 elder and 1 younger sister. His father Benjamin and mother Sarah Jane Ayre were both born in 1851 at Cornsay, County Durham, they were married in 1876 in the district of Lanchester. They settled at Burns Terrace, Cornsay, where Sarah Ann was born in 1877 and Mark 1879. Ten years later they had moved to Cornsay Village and had a further 4 children, Mary Jane born 1882, George Christopher 1884, Benjamin Jnr June 3rd 1886 and William Charles 1889. Daughter Esther and son Albert born 1893 and 1896 respectively were also born at Cornsay. Benjamin Snr supported his family employed as a stone mason until his death, February 27th 1901, he was interred at St. Cuthbert’s churchyard, Satley.

Mark (24) a stone mason and his brother George (17) a boot maker supported their mother and siblings, with the exception of Benjamin who had left the family home and was living at Carrville, Durham, in the home of his employer, William Love, a butcher, for whom he was an assistant. By 1911 the remainder of the family had left Cornsay and were living at 7, North Terrace Oxhill. Mark (32) plied his trade employed by a builder, Albert (15) was an architect’s pupil, William Charles (23) who had been employed as a coal miner below ground was out of work due to illness, unfortunately he died, September 7th 1914, and was buried in the family grave with his father.

By 1914 Benjamin was living at home with his family at 9, Prospect Terrace, Annfield Plain, now a butcher and farmer. He was attested at Annfield Plain, February 28th 1916, enlisted for the duration of the war and transferred to the Army Reserve. He was mobilised as Private 72871 and posted to the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, June 25th 1917, at Seaham Harbour, part of the coastal defences and where he also received training. He was posted October 30th 1917 to the 13th Battalion D.L.I. and departed to France arriving the following day. The battalion which had concluded its participation during the 3rd Battle of Ypres, as part of a combined French and British force, was sent to Northern Italy to combat the Austrian and German forces that had defeated the Italian Army at Caporetto and was threatening Venice. Private Johnson also served in Italy as of November 8th 1917 having been transferred as Private 34574 to the 8th Yorkshire Regiment which was concentrated between Mantua and Marcaria before taking over the front line at Mostello, December 4th 1917. In 1918 they fought on the Asiago Plateau and at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, including the passage of the Piave and Monticano. The Italian Armistice was declared at 3pm, November 4th 1918. The 8th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment as part of the 23rd Division was midway between the rivers Livenza and Medusa, east of Sacile and were moved to billets west of Treviso and demobilisation began in January through February 1919.

Private Johnson returned to England January 5th 1919, one of the first to be repatriated suffering from influenza. He was admitted to the 2nd Western General Hospital, Manchester, until March 26th 1919, fully recovered, Private Johnson was posted April 6th to the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment at their Depot in Richmond, posted 4 months later for a brief period to the 2nd Battalion before being sent to a rest camp in Dublin, September 20th 1919. He was transferred to Class Z Army Reserve, October 22nd 1919, free to return to his home and employment, however, under the obligation to return to the colours should hostilities with Germany resume. With the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, June 28th 1919, the war with Germany officially ended and Class Z was abolished, March 31st 1920.

Mark Johnson, Benjamin’s eldest brother, also served during WW1, he was killed in France July 13th 1917.

Benjamin was married in the district of Gateshead in 1936 to Lucy Tinnion born August 23rd 1895. In 1939 they were living at 30, Humber Street, Blaydon where he was employed as a coal hewer below ground. They do not appear to have had any children. Details of his demise, unknown.

His mother Sarah Jane Johnson nee Ayre died in 1921 aged 70 years, she is at rest in the family plot in St. Cuthbert’s churchyard, Satley, County Durham, which also bears a dedication to son Mark.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

In St. Cuthbert’s Churchyard, Satley, there is a family grave, it reads;

In Loving Memory
Of
BENJAMIN
The Beloved Husband Of
SARAH JANE JOHNSON
Who died 27th February 1901
Aged 50 Years
Also Of The Above
SARAH JANE JOHNSON
Who Died 8th March 1921
Aged 69 Years
Also Of Their Sons
WILLIAM CHARLES
Who Died 7th September 1914
Aged 26 Years
MARK
Who Was Killed In Action In France
13th July 1917 Aged 38 Years
ILLEGIBLE
Also MARY JANE
Beloved Daughter of Above
Who Died 4th July 1961
Aged 67 Years