Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
William, the son of Robert and Ann was born at Low Startforth in 1876. William was the younger of two brothers John and Robert.
The 1881 census shows the family together at Low Startforth with his father working as a general labourer.
By 1891 the family circumstances had changed. His mother had died in 1883 so the household now accommodated Robert’s elderly widowed mother and a servant Elizabeth Alcock. His older brothers appear to have flown the nest. At this time and at the age of 14 William is an assistant signalman.
Later in 1891 Robert Johnson married Elizabeth Alcock.
On August 29th 1892 William joined the staff of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company. He is listed on their records as folio no. 4847 and shown as appointed to Stairforth? Station as a porter. He later became a checker? at St Helen’s Station June 21st 1899 when his salary increased to 22 shillings a week.
In 1901 at Low Startforth Robert and Elizabeth have been joined by son John, a widower working as a railway Signalman and his two-year-old son Robert Sidney. William is possibly working as a general labourer in Wales.
Sometime before March 1908 William returned to Barnard Castle. When he joined the Northern Cyclists Battalion he was working as an Insurance Agent for the Refuge Assurance Company. His father Robert died in 1910.
In the 1911 Census William was lodging with Mrs Mary Gibson at 39 Newgate, Barnard Castle and was a Museum Attendant
He seems to have played a big part in Barnard Castle life. He was Secretary of the town's Co-operative Society, a lay reader at the parish church and Secretary of the church’s Youth’s Guild.
William was embodied in August 1914 to the 6th Durham Light Infantry. He became a Sergeant in September 1914. He embarked for France on April 20th 1915. William was killed in action on February 28th 1916 by a fragment of steel from a trench mortar.
The Teedale Mercury 08/03/1916 gives details about William reporting:-
He took an active interest in the social and religious well being of his fellowmen. Courteous and intelligent he was ever ready and willing to assist every good movement whilst as a soldier he possessed the true military instinct. Peace to his memory. On Sunday night at the parish church the Rev W. Blackett, the newly appointed curate made feeling allusion to the sad event and the organist played Chopin's Funeral March at the conclusion of the service.
By this time both his brothers are living at Newcastle. Mrs Mary Gibson gave the military authorities Robert's address in Sandyford. There is a mention of an Elizabeth Johnson of Low Startforth, his stepmother, as a dependant but no pension records have been found.
Recipient of the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
William Edward Johnson is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 38
