James Johnson was born at 5 Cement Row, Widdrington, Northumberland, on the 28th January 1882, [his birth was registered in the sub district of Bedlington, Northumberland, March 31st 1882], at Widdrington Colliery, one of 10 children, 6 sons, 4 daughters. By 1911 only 8 had survived. James was the third son of Robert Johnson of Tweedmouth (born 1851) and Elizabeth Johnston? (born 1852), daughter of John, born 1826 and Esther (born 1828) at Bridge Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed. They were married on the 8th August 1871.

Their eldest son John, named after his maternal grandfather, was born in 1872, at Tweedmouth. George was born in 1891 but died the same year.

They moved to Northumberland after 1872 to 5 Cement Row, Widdrington, Northumberland, where they resided. Robert Johnson Jnr and his sisters Esther Jane and Annie were all born at 5 Cement Row, Widdrington, 1875, 1878 and 1880 respectively. In 1881, Robert Johnson Snr was employed as a colliery engineer at Widdrington Colliery.

Esther Jane was married to William Ruddick Dodd [born 1867], in 1901, their only child was born in 1902. she died in 1958.

In 1891, the family were still residing at 5, Cement Row, Widdrington Village, now with 8 children. Robert continued to be employed as an engineman at the colliery and had been joined there by his sons John (18) and Robert Jnr (16) as coal miners. The younger children were scholars and Elizabeth had also given birth to a further 3 children: David 1885, Frank 1888 and Elizabeth 1889. Their youngest surviving daughter Christina was born in 1894. After her birth the family left Widdrington Village.

By 1901 they had settled at 29, Theodosia Street, parish of St. Aidan, Elswick, a suburb of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Robert Johnson’s employment remained unchanged, his elder sons and daughter had married and left the family home. James aged 19, [listed in error as James H. Johnson, employed as a machine man], younger bothers David aged 16 and Frank aged 13, engine fitters, and sisters Annie 20, Elizabeth 12 and Christina 7 now remained at home.

By 1911, having moved into 4 rooms at 103, Hugh Street, Benwell, Newcastle, James, now 29 years of age was the only son still residing at home, employed as a porter/clerk at the Newcastle Royal Infirmary since March 1906.

When the war was declared with Germany in August 1914, James was 32 years of age. He attested on the 8th October 1914, as James Johnson, into 'B' Squadron the Royal Horse Guards at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, his service number was 1836, rank Trooper, 5 feet 10 and an eighth of an inch high, Weight 157 lbs. Fresh complexion, Hazel eyes and Brown Hair. He stated his age on the Enlistment Form then as 25 years and 285 days. [which equates to the date of approx 31st December 1889?]. James had false teeth, as remarked by the doctor at his Medical Examination. He named his father Robert as next of kin.

On the 13th October 1914, he was at London, joining his regiment at Knightsbridge Barracks at Regents Park.
The Royal Regiment of Horse Guards has its origins in the Regiment of Cuirassiers raised by Sir Arthur Haselrig on the orders of Oliver Cromwell at Newcastle upon Tyne and County Durham in August 1650: it was transferred to the King's service in July 1660 before being disbanded at Bath, Somerset in December 1660. It was re-raised in the wake of the Venner Riots by King Charles II on creation of what would become the British Army on the 26th January 1661. King Charles II offered the colonelcy of the new regiment to the Earl of Oxford and the regiment first paraded at Tuthill Field in London on the 6th February 1661.

James went to France from Lichfield on the 18th May 1915 from Southampton and arrived at Rouen on the 19th May. He joined his regiment in the field on the 23rd May 1915 at Potijze in the 8th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division.

He was appointed Lance Corporal on the 11th August 1915. His regiment was attached to the 8th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division, on the Ypres salient in Belgium, having concluded their participation during the Second Battle of Ypres on Frezenberg ridge, followed by the Battle of Loos, September 25th-October 8th 1915.

On the 13th April 1916, James is in the *8th Canadian Field Ambulance for 4 days suffering from tonsillitis. Then on the 11th January 1917, he is back at the same Field Ambulance with a Gun Shot wound to his Finger from the 11th January to the 10th March 1917.

* The 8th Canadian Field Ambulance did not arrive until May 1915.

The 8th Canadian Field Ambulance was organized in Calgary in December 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel S. W. Hewetson. Authorization published in General Order 69 of 15th July 1916. Left Halifax 1st April 1916 aboard the ADRIATIC. Arrived in England on the 9th April 1916. Strength: 10 officers, 182 other ranks. Arrived in France 8th May 1916. 3rd Canadian Division. Demobilized at Calgary in March 1919.Disbanded by General Order 211 of the 15th November 1920.

During 1916 the Royal Horse Guards were not involved in any major deployments and transferred to the 7th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division by November 1917, seeing action at the First Battle of the Scarpe and the attack on Monchy le Preux, leaving the 3rd Cavalry Division, March 10th 1918 to form No.3 Battalion of the Guard Machine Gun Regiment, training at Etaples before transferring to the First Army as troops until the end of the war.

On the 20th May 1917, he reverted back to a trooper at his own request.

James was posted back to the UK on the 20th October 1917 to be a temporary Officer Cadet in the 8th Officer Battalion at Lichfield, which he joined on the 7th December 1917. Whilst at Lichfield, James was in the Military hospital there suffering from lymphangitis from the 8th January to the 15th January 1918. He was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant on the 28th May 1918. [Auth WO letter WO.43/YO 118M52BSRes/25/5/18]. Gazetted on the 11th June 1918. By this time he had completed 1 year service at home and 2 years 7 months abroad. On the 7th December he is made a permanent 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, then was attached to the 36th Battalion. Kings Paragraph 1929 (XIV) Temporary Commission.

James returns to the Battalion in the field on the 9th October 1918. He proceeded via Boulogne on the 29th September 1918 after being posted.

James Johnson was awarded the Victory Cross: "For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, south west of Wez Macquart, (near Armentieres) during operations by strong patrols. He repelled frequent frontal attacks and held back the enemy for 6 hours under heavy fire. When at length he was ordered to retire he was the last to leave the advanced position from which he carried a wounded man. Notwithstanding intense machine-gun fire he returned to the advanced position 3 times and rescued badly wounded men."

2nd Lieutenant Johnson was personally presented with the Victoria Cross by His Majesty King George V at a VC Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in June 1919. He was also a recipient of the 1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and King George VI Coronation Medal (1937).

Newcastle Daily Chronicle 16/06/1919 reports that Second Lieutenant James Johnson, Northumberland Fusiliers, was personally presented with the Victoria Cross by the King at Buckingham Palace.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle 25/06/1919 reports the presentation of gifts in Newcastle, which were a "suitable inscribed gold watch, with chain and pendant, and 53 War Savings Certificates".

It states that he had lived in Newcastle since he was a boy. He resided with his father at Benwell. In civilian life he was employed at Newcastle Infirmary as a clerk. When war broke out he joined the Royal Horse Guards and after many engagements was sent from France to England. He was given a commission in June 1918, and transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers, 36th Battalion.

James was released from Military Service from the 12th October 1919.

By 1921, James was residing at 72 Gerald Street, Benwell.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle 28/07/1919 reports:

A movement has been started in Benwell for a local testimonial to Lieutenant Johnson, V.C., Northumberland Fusiliers, by the inhabitants of the village. They are proud of the fact that Lieutenant Johnson, the only Newcastle man to gain this coveted decoration, is a native of the village and that he is a member of the regiment to which it has contributed so many recruits.

It goes on to list the names of those who have subscribed.

The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 04/08/1919 carries a letter stating that the fund is proceeding well, and that a concert had been arranged. Subscribers are listed.

The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 27/11/1919 reports that a cheque for 100 guineas and a handsome timepiece had been presented to Lt. Johnson and reports on the speeches made.

In 1920 he attended the V.C. Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. James relinquished his commission on the 1st September 1921. Temporary 2nd Lieutenant, but retains the 2nd Lieutenant rank. Having completed his time served he was struck off strength on the August 22nd 1921.

The Hartlepool Northern Daily News reported 13/05/1921:-

Lieut. James Johnson, V.C., whilst going to his home in Benwell at 11 o'clock at night was attacked by three men and very roughly handled. He had just turned a corner when he was knocked down, apparently with a sandbag. When he got home he was found to be suffering from a cut over the eye and a cut on the leg, apparently from a kick and from other bruises over the body. His pockets had been turned out and 38s 6d taken. The fact that his watch and other property were left indicates that the thieves had been disturbed.

On the 15th June 1921, James Johnson joined the ADRIC, The Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary, with the service number 2066, and was posted into 'R' Company as a temporary Cadet. He was given a reference by his Lieutenant Colonel. James was fined £1 by his Company Commander. From the 13th August to the 26th August he was on leave.

On the 22nd August 1921, he was suspended then struck off as a deserter!

In February 1922, [James was unemployed, by now was residing at 72 Gerald Street, Benwell], had written to the Ministry of Pensions enquiring about a pension or gratuity for himself in respect of the VC. award. "I am given to understand that the Victoria Cross carries with it an award of £70 per annum, is this so? I have also refrained from claiming a pension for injuries caused during the war, not having been in need of same. At present I am unemployed so I have put my independence aside, hence this reason for my application".

The reply dated 2nd March states that "In reply to your letter of recent date. addressed to the Ministry of Pensions. I am directed to acquaint you that no pension or gratuity is issuable in respect of the Victoria Cross when awarded to a commissioned Officer".

On Saturday the 9th November 1929 James attended the Royal Gallery, House of Lords Dinner for VC Winners. He was no 74 on Table 2. Showing his incorrect rank as Lieutenant. There were 319 holders of the Victoria Cross present. The 'Legion Book', of which 396 copies were presented by the Prince of Wales to the Victoria Cross holders.

James was then employed by a Branch of the Northern Racecourse Betting Control Board until November 1933. But it closed down. By February 1934 James is residing at 18 Essex Avenue at Doncaster, where James had written a letter to the War Office, asking for employment or Financial Assistance. Sadly they replied with that they had no employment available to him.

In 1940 the Ministry of Pensions again wrote to James at the last address 72 Gerald Street at Benwell, but the Post Office returned it, not at this address. There was also an enquiry from a G. Ritchie, of 303 Gander Lane, Cheam, Surrey requesting James whereabouts.

By 1939 he had transferred to Plymouth where he was employed as a register clerk at an Army Recruiting Office residing at 74 Fletemoor Road, Plymouth. In 1941 he began work as a temporary member of staff at the Plymouth City Treasurer’s Office He was residing at 2 Salisbury Road, Plymouth.

James Johnson, outdoor inspector, City Treasury, of 2, Salisbury Road, Plymouth, unmarried, died March 23rd 1943, at the City Hospital, Plymouth, aged 59 years, of septic bronchopneumonia, having undergone an operation 3 weeks prior for a duodenal ulcer and gastroenterostomy. He was cremated on the 26th March at Efford Crematorium. His will specified that his Victoria Cross be donated in perpetuity to the Northumberland Fusiliers Museum within Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.

Footnote, some sources state that he had a middle name of Bulmer, this is incorrect. He was born James Johnson confirmed by his service record and birth certificate.

James Johnson is remembered at Widdrington Station on W135.01

NB. James Johnson was born at Widdrington Colliery not Widdrington Station.

How 2nd Lieut. Johnson won his V.C.
V.C. Plaque at Widdrington Station
Auxiliary Units Royal Irish Constabulary
History of the Auxiliaries
Find a Grave