No.59484, Private, Richard JOHNSON
Aged 20
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Dick Johnson was born in Cavendish (Sudbury Q2-1898 4A:790), son of Charles and Eliza JOHNSON (née WORDLEY).
1901 census...Aged 2, Dick was at Further Street, Cavendish with his father Charles JOHNSON [39] horse keeper; his mother Eliza [37]; sister Gertrude [14]; brothers Edward [11], Albert [9], Robert [6] and Jack [5]. All were born in Cavendish. 1911 census...Aged 12, Dick was still in Further Street (near Hall Gates) Cavendish with his parents, sister Rose [5]; brothers Edward and Albert (farm labourers), Robert and Jack, labourer's boy, and Charles [3]. The two new siblings born in Cavendish and all ten of Eliza's children survive. His brother Albert, who had married Florence STEWARD on 4th October 1913,with a daughter Edith Gertrude born 10th November 1914, enlisted the same day as Jack (# 13206) in Suffolk Regiment but was discharged after 39 days as being unlikely to become an efficient soldier( K.R. 392-3-c) His brother Jack was killed serving in France in the Suffolk Regiment in 1917. see here |
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He enlisted in Sudbury.
The battalion war diary:- 29th-4am- Coys took up positions on forming up line between LEMPIRE POST and TOMBOYS FARM facing NE 5:30 am - The Bn advanced behind Americans A and D Coys in front line, B Coy in support and C Coy in Reserve. Owing to dense smoke barrage, our men got mixed up with the Americans. Objective of the Bn, MACQUINCOURT TRENCH was taken but owing to lack of support on the right A Coy fell back and formed a defensive flank. 10 am- 5 of the 8 officers who were with the Coys had become casualties including B and D Coy Commanders therefore 2 Coys only were organised, A and B together and c and D together. A number of American stragglers were attached to our own Coys. Owing to heavy MG fire from both flanks the forward Coy A Copy were forced to abandon position and withdraw to TOMBOIS SUPPORT. On account of the dense smoke and mist the troops had not mopped up thoroughly and the enemy still held posts behind our troops on the flanks 30th - Bn in the same position. Situation quiet CWGC records give 44 killed, 19 of them with no known grave
photo: Rodney Gibson click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
