Charles Borthwick and Florence Johnson
Heslop's Local Advertiser 22nd September 1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Charles Borthwick Johnson was born at High Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, November 21st 1874, he was the fifth born son and one of 9 children, 7 sons and 2 daughters. His father William Johnson was born at Balla, County Mayo, Ireland in 1833, a shoe and boot maker by trade, he left Ireland alone and moved to Scotland spending time in Glasgow and Edinburgh. He married in Edinburgh, September 21st 1863 to Margaret Borthwick, native of Berwick-upon-Tweed born 1840 who had a son Thomas William Green Borthwick born May 21st 1860. They remained in Scotland and were living at 1 Wallace Green, Berwick in 1881. Their eldest son Martin (16) was employed as a printer’s compositor apprentice, James (14) a haberdasher’s apprentice, the remaining children were scholars. To supplement the family income they had boarders, Alfred Gordon, a musician and his wife Jane. Over the next 10 years they moved to 19, Queen Street, South Shields, William Johnson and his son William Jnr were both shoe makers, Martin was now a qualified printer’s compositor, David (17) a sand moulder in the metal smelting industry. Charles and his younger siblings were still at school. William Johnson died aged aged 70 years in 1903, his widow Margaret by 1911 was living at 19, Robertson Street, South Shields supported by her son Martin (47) and William (43) both still unmarried, living with them was their unmarried sister Mary (27) and married daughter Lyall Raeburn and her three children, William, Martin and Thomas.
July 13th 1901 Charles Borthwick Johnson aged 25 years, living at 42, Wellington Street, Felling, working as a labourer, had married at Christ Church Felling, Gateshead, to 21 year old Florence Aretta Birbeck, born at Felling, August 28th 1879. in 1911 they were living at 6, White Street, Felling with their first 5 children, they had 7 in all 2 sons and 5 daughters one of whom Charles Borthwick Jnr born May 14th 1913 died that same year.
On the outbreak of war, November 1914 Charles was one of the first to enlist at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was assigned as Private 430 to the 22nd (3rd Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, made up mainly from men of Scottish decent. Initially training in Newcastle city centre the 3rd Tyneside Scottish moved to Alnwick camp, in the grounds of Alnwick castle early May 1915. They joined 102nd Brigade, 34th Division who were concentrating at Ripon in Yorkshire in mid-1915, and late August moved to Salisbury Plain to begin final training. They proceeded to France in January 1916 and concentrated at La Crosse, east of St Omer. As of spring 1916 preparations were underway for the forthcoming Battles of the Somme.
During his service Private Johnson was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on land.
The 1st Tyneside Scottish were in action July 1st 1916 at the Battle of Albert, attacking just south of the village of La Boisselle. At 7.28 am two great mines were detonated beneath the German positions, one to the north of the village and one to the south. At 7.30 am the whistles sounded and the attack began. The 3rd Tyneside Scottish followed the 2nd Tyneside Scottish across 200 yards of No Man's Land, 20 Officers and 628 men of the 3rd Tyneside Scottish were lost.
Private 22/430 Charles Borthwick Johnson Northumberland Fusiliers M.M. was killed in action July 1st 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names of servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating those killed on the Somme 1915-1918 and who have no known grave. He was 41 years old.
His widow Florence received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Florence Aretta Johnson nee Birbeck died in 1923 whilst resident at 6, White House, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham, aged only 44 years.
Details as regards Charles and Florence’s children; Lyallie Bribeck Johnson born September 17th 1901 at South Shields married at Gateshead July 6th 1929 to Edwards Wheatley Harrison and died aged 79 years, December 5th 1980, last known address 44, Chilside Road, Felling.
John James Johnson born April 17th 1903 at South Shields died aged 24 years in 1927.
Frances Isabella Johnson born December 28th 1904 at South Shields married James Reid, December 19th 1931 and died aged 80 years, August 31st 1985 at Gateshead.
Sarah Maggie Johnson born September 14th 1906 at South Shields died aged 87 years in 1993 at Peterborough.
Mary Elizabeth Johnson born June 9th 1909 at Felling died aged 79 years in 1989 at Gateshead.
Florence Aretta Johnson born July 26th 1911 at Felling died September 14th 1993 at San Diego, California U.S.A.
Charles Borthwick Johnson born May 14th 1913 at Felling died that same year.
Charles William Johnson born May 6th 1914 at Felling died aged 48 years January 5th 1963 at King Edward VII Hospital, Windsor.
Private Johnson’s mother Margaret Johnson nee Birbeck died aged 86 years, April 13th 1926, last resident at 194, Alice Street, South Shields County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 22/9/1916:
"Private Charles B. Johnson, killed in action on July 1st. Husband of Florence A. Johnson (nee Birbeck), 6 White Street, Felling."
Charles Borthwick Johnson is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
