No.17777, Private, Edgar A. JOHNSON
Aged 34
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Edgar Johnson was born in 1887 (Thetford Q2-1887 4B:390) son of Jabez and Frances JOHNSON (née EDWARDS). 1891 census...Aged 3, he was at Fen House Cottages, Christmas Hill, Brandon with his father Jabez JOHNSON [26] farm labourer born Wilton, Norfolk; his mother France [22] born Brandon. His mother died in 1897. 1901 census...Aged 13, farm labourer, he was at Town Street, Brandon with his widower father (now recorded as born Brandon); sister Ellen[6]; grandmother Jane EDWARDS [67]; 2 boarders, bricklayers Frederick EDWARDS [17] and Robert BOWERS [62]. All recorded as born in Brandon. His father remarried, to Belinda Maria GREENING, (Thetford Q1-1904 4B:549). They were later at Spring Lodge, Methwold. 1911 census...Aged 23, single, cowman on farm, he was boarding with the GODDARD family at Manor Farm Brandon. His father, stepmother and sister Ellen have not been found in this census. The pension card has his father Jabez at Middle Warren Farm, Methwold, but Edgar has become Ernest Albert.
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click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
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His Army service records have not been found but he enlisted in time to be sent to France on 25th July 1915. "Brandon at War " has it thus: :- "While serving with the Essex Regiment he was hospitalised. Exactly when this occurred is currently unknown, but if it happened during August 1918 then it would have been at a time when his unit was at the front and being subjected to heavy enemy artillery, including shells filled with gas. On the 22nd August the battalion "went over the top", coincidentally in support of the Norfolks, and were subjected to machine guns, sniping and artillery rounds which caused many casualties. Edgar was so severely wounded that it was decided he would receive better care back home in Britain. He was placed on the hospital ship 'Gloucester Castle' and crossed the Channel. Sadly during this crossing he succumb to his wounds and died. His body was brought back to Brandon to be buried in the town's cemetery. This was the first time Brandon had a fatality of the war brought back to the town. His father had since moved from Brandon to a farm in Methwold but he came back to the town to bury his son. The funeral was officiated by Rev. J.P. Watts, the Rector of St Peter's Church, and was attended by all the great and good people of Brandon. It was a very sombre occasion, and being the first burial in the town of one of its men from the front it no doubt became a time when the town could reflect upon all its other men lost in the war. Edgar was given a gun salute over his grave, with Corporal Ernest Royal sounding the "Last Post". Before joining the fighting Edgar had been a member of the Loyal Truth and Sincerity Lodge of Oddfellows, and representatives from this organisation attended his burial, along with other representatives from Brandon groups. Edgar was 31 years of age." CWGC have his age wrong, by three years, and his medal index card places him in the 10th Battalion. The Bury Free Press of 14th September 1918 reported:- MILITARY FUNERAL AT BRANDON The remains of Private Edgar Johnson,Essex Regiment, were interred in the Brandon Cemetery on Wednesday last, the gallant soldier having died of wounds while crossing the Channel. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.Johnson of Methwold and was 31. The Rev. J.P.Watts (Thetford) officiated. The last Post was sounded by Corporal Ernest Royal and the firing party was in charge of Sergt-Major Shears. Deceased was a member of the "Truth and Sincerity" lodge of Oddfellows, and the Lodge was represented at the funeral.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
