Frank Johnson

Frank was born in 1898 in Nottingham and was the son of John William a chair maker and Nellie Johnson née Smith of 131,Brushfield St, Hyson Green, Nottingham. His father John William was born in 1875 in Nottingham and his mother was born in 1876 also in Nottingham, they were married in 1896 in Nottingham and went on to have 9 children 1 of whom sadly died in infancy prior to 1911. Their surviving children were all born in Nottingham and were :- Leslie b1897, Frank b1898, Evelyn b1900, Gladys b1906, Arthur b1907, Leonard b1910, Violet b1912 and Dorothy b1915. In the 1911 census the family are living at 16 Hovenden Gardens, Hyson Green, Nottingham and were shown as John William Johnson 36 yrs, he is living with his wife Nellie 35 yrs and their children , Leslie 14 yrs an errand boy, Frank 13 yrs an errand boy, Evelyn 11 yrs, Gladys 5 yrs, Arthur 4 yrs and Leonard 1 yr. The family home was at 131 Brushfield Street at the time of Frank and Leslie's deaths in 1918 and his parents were still living there in 1929 when a notice commemorating their deaths was published in the local paper.

Frank Johnson enlisted on 29th May 1916 at Nottingham. He gave his age as 18 yrs and 119 days, his address was 131 Brushfield Street, Nottingham, his next of kin was his father John William of the same address, his occupation was that of capstan lathe hand. He was posted to the reserves the following day. He was mobilised on 8th April 1918, his age at this time was 20 yrs and 70 days. He was posted to the Reserve Siege Battery Royal Garrison Artillery at No 4 Depot. Frank was admitted to Prees Heath Military Hospital on 9th May 1918 and died there on 24th June 1916 of pneumonia. He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. with full military honours (grave ref. 7977D).

His brother also died in the war: 97687 Corporal William Leslie JOHNSON, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) 41st Bn. Date of death 18 October 1918, age 22, Dadizeele New British Cemetery (CWGC) CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'Still in our hearts he liveth'. His brother William Leslie's gravestone has the same inscription. Obituary Nottingham Evening Post, 26 June 1918 :- “JOHNSON. – On the 24th inst., [June 1918] at Press Heath Military Hospital, Gunner Frank Johnson, dearly beloved second son of William and Nellie Johnson, 131, Brushfield-street, in his 21st year. Deeply mourned. Military funeral Saturday, [29th June 1918] 2.30. General Cemetery.” In memoriam notices published 24th June 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “JOHNSON. – In affectionate remembrance of our dear son and brother, Frank (Gunner, R.G.A.), fell asleep June 24th, 1918. Days of sadness still come o'er us, tears of sorrow often flow, memory keeps out loved one near us whom God claimed one year ago. – Sorrowing mam, dad, brothers, and sisters. “JOHNSON. – In ever-loving memory of dear Frank (Gunner R.G.A.), fell asleep June 24th, 1918. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. – Grandma, aunties and uncles.” Above obituary and in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam 1914-18, 18 October 1929: ‘Johnson. Treasured memories of [William] Leslie, killed in action October 18th, 1918, also Frank, died Military Hospital, June 24th 1918. Sadly missed. Mam. Sisters and brothers, 131 Brushfield-street.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)