Newcastle Daily Chronicle 17/08/1916
"Military Medal for a Shields Man.
For conspicuous bravery in the field, Private George Johnson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Johnson, Dacre Street, South Shields, has been awarded the Military Medal. Formerly in the navy, Pte. Johnson, who is 44 years of age, joined the Tyneside Scottish, and taking part in the big advance on July 1st he was one of the heroic fifteen men who penetrated the fourth line of German trenches. Prior to the war, Pte. Johnson was employed at Walker Colliery as a stoneman."