Johnson, William (1893-1918)

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Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919

Obituary

Private Willie Johnson was mortally wounded in France on September 18th, 1918, in the final push which broke the German resistance. Born at Downham Market, in 1893, he had just reached his twenty-fifth birthday. He was a fine young fellow, finely built, and possessing qualities of mind and heart which gave promise of great usefulness. As a boy he was a member of the Junior Endeavour at Upwell, and later was a member of the Senior Society. He was deeply religious. He never talked about religion, he lived it. Quiet and retiring in disposition, somewhat shy in the presence of strangers, he made you feel he was a Christian. His mind was well cultivated, though he never paraded his knowledge. Yet he felt and thought deeply. He had a high sense of duty. Fighting was foreign to his nature, yet when the call of country came to him he felt it was his duty to respond. He will be missed in the Church, and especially in the home, where his thoughtfulness was unfailing. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, Foxboro Farm, North Elmham, the greatest sympathy is felt, as Willie is the second son lost in the War.

J. Bowles

Willie was Private 21688 in the King’s (Shropshire Light Infantry), 10th Battalion. He was formerly M/285515 in the R.A.S.C., M.T.

Willie assisted on the farm before the war.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1919/293

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers