Ploegsteert Memorial
Ploegsteert Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Albert Johnson was the youngest of 9 known children, 5 sons and 4 daughters, born 1887 at Malton, Yorkshire. His father, iron worker, Frederick Johnson born 1846 at Biddenham, Bedfordshire, married in 1866 at Wellingborough, Bedfordshire to Elizabeth Knight, knowns as Betty, born 1893, at Clapham, Bedfordshire. They migrated firstly to Sheffield by 1877, two years later they were living in Birmingham and had settled at 3, Hanson, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough by 1881 where Frederick was employed at the blast furnace, their children attended school. Frederick in 1891 was a general labourer as was eldest son George (19), daughter Annie (14) is listed as a domestic servant, Albert now 4 years old was a scholar.
Ten years later Albert was no longer living with his parents, he had moved in with his aunt and uncle George and Annie Surrey (nee Johnson), of 41, Victoria Road, Middlesbrough. His uncle George was a grocer for his own account, Albert is not listed as either employed or a student, however, in 1911 he was in the military as Private 641 1st King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and served with his Regiment in the Far East, China and Singapore. Date of discharge unknown.
When war with Germany broke out in August 1914 he enlisted at Middlesbrough assigned as Private 22677 Yorkshire Regiment (Alexandra Princess of Wales’s Own) and transferred to the 4th Battalion, under the command of the Yorkshire Mounted Brigade. Given his past military experience he departed to France April 18th 1915 landing at Boulogne just as the Germans attacked Ypres in Belgium for the first time with gas. They were sent straight into action as part of the York and Durham Brigade, Northumbrian Division and remained on the Ypres salient during the 2nd Battle of Ypres until May 14th 1915 when they were transferred to the 150th Brigade, 50th Northumbrian Division and in spring 1916 moved south to the Somme.
During the Battles of the Somme the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment was in reserve until they took part, September 15th-22nd, at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the capture of Martinpuich. During 1917 they participated during the Arras Offensive and returned to Belgium participating in the 3rd Battle of Ypres. They returned to the Somme in March 1918 when the Germans crossed the river Somme and also participated in the Lys and Aisne sector.
Private Johnson was reported missing at roll-call and had not been seen since April 12th 1918. His next of kin were informed and after a full investigation as to his whereabouts sometime later he was struck off and declared as dead.
Private 22677 Albert Johnson Yorkshire Regiment is presumed to have died April 12th 1918 during day to day trench warfare. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 11,401 names inscribed on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Hainaut, Belgium, within Berks House Cemetery, near Ypres, commemorating servicemen from the United Kingdom and South Africa killed in the sector and who have no known grave.
All monies due to him were assigned to Ellen Surrey, recipient of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal he was 31 years old and single.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Albert Johnson is remembered at Stillington on S137.01
