WORLD WAR I
Bingham War Memorial
Service Record
| 10148 | Captain Harry Hall Johnson C.I.E | The Borders Regiment | born 1892 |
| Medal roll | Records his progression from Lance Sergeant to 2/Lt (2/Border Regt) then
Capt. 52 Sikhs Awarded Victory and British medals. Also awarded 14 Star. Qualifying date for medal 5/10/14. He applied for his Star and medals 12/6/1921 Quoting address as (officer commanding) 52 Sikhs FF, Jullundur, Punjab. |
No service/pension records exist on Ancestry , though there are Officer records at the National Archives [NA see below] |  |
| Roll of Honour AVL |
Wounded three times on Western Front and in Italy. His
record sheet does not mention Italy. Address: 2 Moor Lane; Lieut. Hampshire Regt. |
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| 1916-1918 | There are no service records on Ancestry.com for the period
of WW1. However, his officer records at National Archives do provide some
information for this period: Enlisted in Bradford 22/8/11 in 2nd Squadron Border Regiment. Height 5’ 9”, weight 175lbs Good Physique He saw field service in France : 5/10/14 to 22/11/14, when he was wounded 15/1/15 to 16/5/15 22/9/15 to 12/10/17 He was mentioned twice in dispatches by Sir Douglas Haigh, C-in-C Western Front on 30th April 1916 and 13th November 1915. Wounded: Ypres 22/11/14 Festubert 16/5/15 He was attached at some point to 2/1st Hampshire Yeomanry at Reepham [Barracks], Norwich Awarded Military Medal 1916, CIE 1934. |
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| Service Record | He was promoted to: 2nd Lieutenant in Border Regiment 19/6/16 Lieutenant 19/6/17 Captain 19/6/20 Brevet Major 1/7/30 Major 19/6/34 Lieutenant Colonel 19/6/42 Colonel 11/5/42 Major general 4/12/42 Lieutenant general 31/3/46. |
19/6/16 to 3/5/18 served in Border Regiment in France and England. 3/6/18 to 20/10/31 served in 2/12 FF (Frontier Force) Regt. This included period with South Waziristran Scouts 21/10/31 to Jun 1941: India and Sinkiang Included periods as: Political Agent in South Waziristran Resident in Waziristran Consul General in Kushingar Political Agent in Dir Swat and Chidral British Military Mission 204, Burma and China, June 1941 to November 1942. GHQ India Directorate – Ceylon, December 1942 Proceeded to UK for retirement and SOS India Command [Services of Supply] Retired from service 18/5/46. |
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| Forces War Records | The medal card suggests he was in the 2nd battalion. The list
of actions below tallies with the Roll of Honour and mention of the Western
Front and Italy: 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (Regular Army) 04.08.1914 Stationed at Pembroke Dock and then moved to Lyndhurst to join the 20th Brigade of the 7th Division. 06.10.1914 Mobilised for war and landed at Zeebrugge (this tallies with the qualifying date on the medal card) and engaged in various actions on the Western Front including; During 1914 The First Battle of Ypres. Dec 1914 This Battalion took part in the Christmas Truce of 1914. During 1915 The Battle of Neuve Chapelle, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Festubert, The second action of Givenchy, The Battle of Loos. During 1916 The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin and the attacks on High Wood, The Battle of Delville Wood, The Battle of Guillemont, Operations on the Ancre. During 1917 The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Arras offensive, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle, The Second Battle of Passchendaele, Nov 1917 Moved to Italy to strengthen the Italian resistance. 04.11.1918 Ended the war in Italy, Pozzo east of Pordenone. |
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| Wikipedia | The 2nd Battalion was in Italy at the end of the First World War, remaining there until 1919. In that year, it moved to Ireland, where the War of Independence had broken out. Based in County Mayo, the battalion had few casualties, and returned to England at the end of the conflict in 1922. In the next few years, the 2nd Battalion was on garrison duty at various locations: Malta, The Sudan, Tientsin n China and Rawalpindi India. The Battalion was part of the forces that suppressed the Afridi and Red Shirt Rebellions of 1930 – 1931. The Battalion remained in India, and on the outbreak of the Second World War was stationed in Calcutta. | ||
| AVL | Lieut. Hampshire Regt. | ||
Family history etc
| Captain Harry Hall Johnson C.I.E | |||
| 1892 FBMD |
Born Bingham, 16th August 1892 | ||
| Census 1871 | Hall Family lived at The Vaults, Long Acre, Bingham: Samuel Hall: b 1826 Wirksworth Wife: Virginia Louisa (neé Digi), b. 1834 Chelsea, London. D, Bingham 1872. Albert s, b 1863 Wirksworth Agnes Emily Barker [Hall], b. 1866 Bingham Adelaide M, b. 1870 Bingham And: Samuel’s sister: Margaret b 1824 Wirksworth |
Wine and spirit merchant Governess |
Samuel Hall purchased the freehold of The Vaults in 1865 Harry Hall Johnson was the son of Henry Johnson and Agnes Hall. Samuel later sole/transferred the Vaults to Henry Johnson |
| Census 1881 | Hall Family lived at The Vaults, Long Acre, Bingham: Samuel Hall: Wife: Emma, b 1853 South Runcton Albert S, b 1863 Wirksworth Frederick H, b. 1876 Bingham Gertrude A, b 1879, Bingham Living on the Banks: Agnes E, b. 1836 Bingham |
Wine and spirit merchant |
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| 1885 FBMD |
probable death of Samuel Hall, Nottingham | March Qtr. | |
| 1889 FBMD | Marriage of Henry Johnson and Agnes Emily B Hall, Nottingham | June qtr | |
| Census 1891 | Johnson Family lived at The Vaults, Long Acre: Henry b. 1857 Derby Wife: Agnes b. 1866 Bingham Son: Arthur E b. 1890 Bingham |
Wine and spirit Marchant |
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| 1897 FBMD |
Henry died Mar qtr 1897 aged 39 v7b p305 | ||
| Census 1901 | Harry aged 8 living at: Homes for Little Boys, home for Homeless boys, South Darenth, Horton Kirby, near Dartford, Kent |
These homes were arguably the first homes built on a cottage homes basis in England. A complex of large detached houses near Farningham, Kent in 1867 housed around 30 children in each cottage with live-in house parents. | See http://www.childrenscottagehomes.org.uk/farningham.html |
| 1901 | Agnes living at Cheapside, Notingham with: John D Battterham, b. 1866 Cockley Cley, Norfolk AND Thirteen assorted Drapers, dressmakers and milliners AND Two domestic staff |
Housekeeper Draper |
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| There were four Johnson brothers born between 1890 and 1895.
After their father died in 1897 they were separated, and in 1901 were living apart: Arthur E (aged 11) with an Uncle on Long Acre, Bingham Albert S (aged 10) at Stockwell Orphanage Harry Hall (aged 8) at the home for Homeless boys, South Darenth, Horton Kirby, near Dartford, Kent Percy C (aged 6) with unmarried sisters Agnes (66), Margaret (78) & Eliza E Hall (69) in Market Place, Bingham. Agnes, their mother, was housekeeper at John Batterham’s Nottingham drapers. All four brothers served in World War I; Click on names to learn more. |
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| Census 1901 | Agnes living at Cheapside, Notingham with: John D Battterham, b. 1866 Cockley Cley, Norfolk AND Thirteen assorted Drapers, dressmakers and milliners AND Two domestic staff |
Housekeeper Draper |
Batterham clearly had large premises to accommodate his employees. One of these was Harold Bertram Colam of Bingham who later served in WW1. |
| 1908 FBMD |
7th December 1908: Agnes Emily B Johnson married Thomas Maltby
in Christchurch Registry Office, Hampshire. Thomas was aged 89 and of no occupation Agnes was described as a widow. Both addresses were given as 78 Parkwood Road, Boscombe. |
She was age 42 and her deceased father’s occupation was Wine and Spirit Merchant. | |
| Census 1911 |
Harry aged 18 living at: Marshall & Snelgrove, 16 Marylebone Lane Brother Percy was here too |
Draper’s clerk | Over 100 staff were registered on the census return, implying that the firm had a hostel for staff accommodation. We have been unable to verify this. |
| 1911 | Agnes Maltby, b 1865 Bingham living at 78 Parkwood Road, Pokesdown nr
Bournemouth with Husband: Thomas Maltby, b 1818 And: Cordelia Fudge, b 1886 Bournemouth |
gentleman, no occupation [Ancestry transcription has “gad stoker” which seems very unlikely in view of history below. The writing is very difficult to read but we think is says “gentleman”] Servant general |
A note on the census enumeration form says they had been married three
years. Thomas’ birthplace was given as: Born in England in transit from Wardwood to Nottingham. [Probably Wandsworth] |
| Thomas Maltby | 1901 West Bridgford, retired wines and spirits merchant b. Wandsworth
1893 Probably married Elizabeth Slack, Basford Dec qtr. 1893 1891 West Bridgford, Wine and Spirit Merchant b. Camberwell 1881 Hoveringham, Annuitant, b. Wandsworth, 1871 Hoveringham, Farmer 240 acres, b. Camberwell 1861 Manor House, Hoveringham, b. Surrey, Farmer 240 acres 1851 Hoveringham, Farmer 258 acres b. Surrey |
Wife: Elizabeth Maltby b. 1863 Nottinghamshire (d. Sep qtr.
1901 Basford) Servant: Eliza Bacon Servant: Elizabeth Draper, b. 1860 Caythorpe Visitor: Lucy Draper b. 1871 Caythorpe Wife: Elizabeth Maltby, b.1818 City of London (d. March qtr.1893 Southwell) Servants: Elizabeth Draper, b. 1859 Caythorpe Emmeline Evaret, b. 1859 Gloucester Wife: Elizabeth b. 1816 London Son: Percy, b. 1850 Servants: Jane Roberts, Ann Walker Wife: Elizabeth Allen Maltby (neé Northcote), b. 1816 Tower Hill Servant: Fanny James Wife: Elizabeth b. 1816 Tower Hill Wife: Elizabeth, b. 1816 London Daughter: Percey Maltby, b. 1850 Servants: Jane Hall, Mary Smith |
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| 1913 | Thomas Maltby died 9th November 1913 in Christchurch, near Bournemouth aged 96. | Address: Stanstead Lodge, Parkwood Road, Boscombe, Hampshire. Probate granted to Agnes Emily Barker Maltby, widow. Effects £4001 17s 7d. | |
| Electoral Rolls | 1918 to 1931 Agnes Maltby, 2 Moor Lane with Harry marked “a” (absent voter). | ||
| 1930 GRO and Officer records |
8th August 1930 Harry married Marjorie Phyllis Cooke at Holy
Trinity Church, Paddington. His address given as The Albany Hotel, Lancaster Gate W2. Her address: 129 Westbourne Terrace W2. Her father was Ernest Cooke, deceased, no occupation. Ancestry shows her father was a surgeon and the family lived in Shrewsbury. She was born in Sept qtr 1900 (FreeBMD) Children: Steven Richard Hall Johnson, b. 2/10/1931 Eastbourne Robert Stanley Hall Johnson, b 8/11/1935 Peshawar India, d. 1997, Woking, Surrey. |
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| 1939 | 3 June 1939 Agnes (Emily Barker) Maltby, widow died. Probate record shows she left £2131. 7s 6d to Arthur Edward Johnson, watch repairer. | Agnes lived at 3 Escourt Place Bingham | Arthur Edward was her son and had his watchmaker’s shop at what is now the kitchen of Dane Cottage, Cherry Street. At the time he lived in Needham Street but later lived at Dane Cottage. |
| 1937 | 14 April 1937 Marjorie arrived in Plymouth from India on board SS City of Canterbury with Masters SRH and RSH Johnson. UK Address: 29 Carleston Road, Eastbourne. | ||
| 1946 | Harry granted 12 months leave in UK pending retirement and a free passage on SS Otranto. His leave address was given as The Wye, Marston Road, Sherborne, Dorset. | ||
| 1973 | 11th August 1973, Harry died in Bruton Somerset (Wincanton registration
district). |
Birth date given as 18th August at Bingham. Address: Sunnyhill House, Pitcombe, died at Memorial Hospital, Wincanton. Occupation: Colonel Indian Army (retired). Informant: Son, Stephen Richard Hall Johnson, Sunnyhill House. |
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| 1977 | Marjorie Phyllis died in Summerlands Hospital, Yeovil on 18th August 1977. She was described as the widow of Harry hall Johnson, an army officer, and her address was given as Sunnyhill House, Bruton and the informant was her son Robert Stanley Hall Johnson of Hinkley. Birthdate given as 23 August 1900. | ||
| Harry Johnson in India:- | |||
| Officer Records | Annual Confidential report 1920 “… performed duties very satisfactorily… served on NW frontier 1919 and recommended in May 1920 for a “Roumanian Decoration for general good work”. Passed out second of all British Officers in the signalling course at Kakul… Annual Confidential report 1923 |
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| NW frontier 1924 and 1930 Waziristran, NW frontier 1935 Malakand 197/38 Waziiristan |
Action between British and Afghanistan on the borders of what
became Pakistan. In 1938 he was mentioned in dispatches by Sir Robert Cassells, Commander in Chief India. |
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| China 1941-2 | |||
| 1930-1934 | Major H H Johnson Political Agent, South Waziristan |
From 1930 he held appointments in the political department on a ten year contract until retirement. | |
| 1934 London Gazette |
To be Companions of the said Most Eminent Order of the Indian
Empire : — Brevet-Major Harry Hall Johnson, of the Political Department, Political Agent, South Waziristan, North-West Frontier Province. |
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| 1937 | 1) Grant of leave to Major K.C.Packman and appointment of
Major H.H. Johnson as Consul General, Kashgar. 2) Officiating appointment of Mr. M.C. Gillett, Vice Consul, Kashgar, as Consul General till the arrival of Major H.H. Johnson in Kashgar, and grant of leave to the former. |
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| 1938 NA | Foreign Office, October 16, 1938. The KING has been graciously pleased to appoint: — Major Harry Hall Johnson, C.I.E., to be His Majesty's Consul-General for the New Dominion and Kobdo, to' reside at Kashgar |
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| 1938 NA | Grant of travelling allowance at tour rates to majors K.C.Packman and H.H. Johnson C.I.E. for their journeys to Simla on duty. Proposal to fix the Headquarters of the Govt. of India as the Fixed point for the journeys on reversion of consuls General Kashgar. | ||
| 1938 NA | Grant of advance of Pay for a month and travelling allowance
to Major H.H. Johnson , M.M., I.A. on his appointment as Consul General, Kashgar. |
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| 1940 NA | Arrangement for journeys by air of Capt. Vaughan, and a nurse to Gilgit and Major Taylor, Major Johnson and his party from Gilgit to India. | ||
| 1942 NA | Appointed Lieut. Colonel 19 June 1942. | ||
| 1946 NA | Granted 12 months leave in UK pending retirement and a free passage on SS Otranto. His leave address was given as The Wye, Marston Road, Sherborne, Dorset. | Last serving as Camp Commandant HQ Alfsea [Allied Land Forces South East
Asia].at Jhari 2nd February 1946. Had previously served in Military Mission to China and at HQ Ceylon. |
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| “History of Bingham” | Harry’s details are set out on p145, of Adelaide Wortley’s
History of Bingham (1954). She wrote, ‘’Colonel Harry Hall Johnson,
C.I.E, a native of Bingham, was one of four sons of Mr Harry Johnson (the
last Mayor for the Statute Fair). His brother, Edward, who rendered great
service to his country during World War 1, still resides in Cherry Street,
Bingham. Colonel Johnson served in the Border Regiment before World War
1. In 1934, as Major, Political Department, he was awarded the C.I.E (Companion of the Indian Empire) in the King’s Birthday Honours list.’’ ‘’ Colonel Johnson, who now lives in Somersetshire, is another splendid old Church School boy, and today his old schoolmates speak of him with much admiration.’’ Note: Statute Fair:- an annual fair formerly held in Bingham for the hiring of servants and farm labourers |
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| Source? | [The wife of Eric Shipton, the British Consul General in Kashgar
after H Johnson]: Shipton notes that her husband’s predecessor as consul was fascinated by local hawking, but unfortunately that man, Major Harry Hall Johnson, seems to have left barely a trace in the historical record |
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