The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Corporal H E Johnson

Horton Kirby Roll of Honour

Photograph by "Gray912"

Corporal Herbert Ernest JOHNSON, TF/2161, 1st/5th Battalion, "D" Company, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of meningitis, Station Hospital, Jhansi India, 9.55am, 5th May 1915, age 26.

Born Kettering, Northamptonshire, / South Darenth, Dartford, Kent, son of Frederick Ernest and Ellen Johnson, of Warwick House, South Darenth, Dartford, Kent.

1911 Census - Mill Street, East Malling, Kent - William Bassett, head, age 38, married, cutterman, paper making, worker, born East Malling, Kent; Eleanor Bassett, wife, age 35, married 9 years, no children, dressmaker, own account, at home, born Snodland, Kent; Percy Johnson, visitor, age 24, single, law clerk, worker, born South Darenth, Kent; Herbert Johnson, boarder, age 22, single, assistant schoolmaster, worker, born South Darenth, Kent.

Soldier stated he had previously served 4th Battalion, Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry, time expired. According to Records Office - Trained with Cadet Battalion, whilst a pupil at Culham Training College, Oxford. Served for two years as above between the years 1908 and 1910 and afterwards on leaving College was on the National Reserve until called up on the outbreak of war in August 1914.

Enlisted Bromley, Kent, age 25 years 6 months, height 5ft 6 inches, weight 134lbs, fair complexion, brown eyes, dark hair, scar on back of right wrist. Resided Stanmore Road, West Gravesend, Kent. Formerly schoolmaster.

Home 5th August 1914 to 28th October 1914; India 29th October 1914 to 5th May 1915.

5th August 1914, enlisted & posted 5th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 29th October 1914, posted India; 10th February 1915, promoted Corporal; 28th April 1915 to 5th May 1915, Station Hospital, Jhansi India, meningitis, severe headaches, high temperature 108°, muscular rigidity, convulsions, unconscious for some 37 hours before death, no parasites found in blood. Ice to head, cold water ?????, ice pack, never regained consciousness.

26th June 1915, Probate - Johnson Herbert Ernest, of Warwick House, New Road, South Darenth, Corporal 5th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, died 6th May 1915, at Jhansi, India. Administration London 26th June to Frederick Ernest Johnson, tailor. Effects £177 12s 11d.

27th November 1919, Statement of Relatives - Father, Frederick E Johnson, Warwick House, South Darenth, Kent; Mother, Ellen Johnson, Warwick House, South Darenth, Dartford, Kent; Brothers - Frederick P Johnson, age 33, Warwick House, South Darenth, Dartford, Kent. Sisters - Nellie L Johnson, age 35,The School House, Farningham, Kent.

Buried in Jhansi Cantonment Cemetery, Grave H99. India.

Commemorated at Madras 1914-1918 War Memorial, Face 20, Chennai, India.

NOTE: Regimental History shows initials as H W; Soldiers Died in the Great War shows first names as Harry Wilfred; CWGC web site shows first names as Herbert Ernest.

This page was last updated on 28-Aug-2022.