Photo: James Pasby

Evening Chronicle 19/10/1971.

In loving memory of
our dear son
Trooper Thomas David Johnson
15th/19th King's Royal Hussars
who died 18th October 1971 aged 23 years.
Lily Johnson (nee Gibson)
Beloved wife and Grandma
who died 14th August 2008 aged 84 years
Thomas Joseph Johnson
who died 6th December 2008 aged 88 years.
Deep in our hearts you will always stay
Loved and remembered every day.

Dead-2 Days after leave in CityEvening Chronicle 19/10/1971.

The Army today released the name of the soldier shot yesterday when a gun went off accidentally at a road block in Ulster.

The soldier-taken to hospital by helicopter but found to be dead on arrival-was Trooper Thomas David Johnson, aged 23, a single man whose home was in Hilary Avenue, Benton, Newcastle. He was serving with the 15/19 Hussars.

A shocked Mrs. Lily Johnson today talked of her quiet son who only returned to Ulster last Friday after a week's leave with his mother, father and brother and sister.

He was always a very quiet lad. said Mrs. Johnson.

He has always wanted to go into the Army ever since he left school, he talked of joining the Boy Soldiers.

It was his whole life, the life he wanted for himself and he really enjoyed it.

Trooper Johnson's father, Mr. Thomas Johnson, said that his son had only been in Ireland for three or four months.

Naturally we were worried for him, he said. He was going to come home for Christmas. We were looking forward to it.

Thanks to: David Winnfczuk?