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Brentford Families - Thomas Johnson (1892 - 1916)

Summary

He was killed in action, France, 28/12/1916, gunner, Royal Artillery, no. 60295.

He was buried at Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, Plot 2, Row A, Grave 14. The cemetery is 15 km north of Bethune and is on the NE side of the village on the north side of the road to Neuf-Berquin.

He came to be listed on the memorial as he had been at my grandmother's place in Enfield Road, Brentford, at the point of enlistment and spent many of his few visits, when permitted, from the trenches, at her house, so by this he came to be a 'resident' of Brentford when allowed home.

Originally born Fulham in 1892, the family moved to Acton approx. 1905, it is believed, but he was often in Brentford before the war started, spending much time here.

It is believed he went into the recruitment office in Hammersmith, when near the location, at the start of war in 1914. He was not living in Hammersmith. The name was thus not included on the memorial in the library grounds, until my Grandmother complained at its omission, which was corrected, his name being added to the supplementary list, on the side of the memorial facing towards Enfield Road, which pleased the family.

More details of Thomas Johnson's life

He enlisted in 1914. He received wounds to the neck on 26/12/1916 whilst a member of 5th trench mortar battery from shrapnel and was admitted to No. 7 Casualty Clearing Station., where he died at 9am on the 28th.

Letter from Thomas Johnson dated 23 December 1916

His address at the head is
X.5.T.M.B.

Dear Em and Charley,
Just a line or two
to let you know I have
arrived quite safe, and
have settled down to my
old work and by the
time you get this I
shall be quite at home.
I met the same two chaps
at Victoria who I came
home with, we couldn't go
and wet the occasion (?) so
of course I had to fall
back on the hard stuff.
I was very sorry for
the boys of my own
battery but it couldn't be
Helped we had to see it
off, the same thing happened
to your parcel, yours
was the first pudding to arrive
in the battery, and it
was voted a treat, it was
a bit rough to leave good
old Blighty just before
Xmas but it does one
good to see the welcome
you get when you are
spotted coming down he
road. Well I will wish
you all a merry Christmas
and I promise you I will
do my best to do the
same, compliments of the
season to Mr & Mrs Brown
I remain your
affectionate brother
Tom

Letter notifying of Tom's death

Dear Miss Johnson
Your Brother Bomb:
Johnson 60295 RFA
was admitted into
this hospital on Dec 26
suffering from wounds
of the neck. He was
very ill and gradually
got worse. I regret to
say he passed away
at 9 o' clock this
morning.He did not
speak of anyone, or
leave any message.
He will be buried
in the Cemetery
of this village.
Yours faithfully
N? Bannister
Sister-in-Charge

Letter from Brentford Urban District Council Re: War Monument

Dear Sir or Madam
War Monument
In reply to your post card, unsigned, will you please inform
me the address from which your late brother, T. Johnson, enlisted?
The names to be inscribed on the monument are, in the absence
of exceptional circumstances, restricted to those men who were
resident in Brentford at the time of their enlistment.
Yours faithfully,
Charles Turner (? faded)
Hon. Secretary, Brentford War
Memorial Committee

Page published April 2013