James Frederick's Story.
James Frederick Johnson was born on 18th October and baptised on 19th December 1887 at Sunderland Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Macclesfield, the son of Alice and Frederick Johnson, a shoeing smith of 4 Court, Pierce Street, Macclesfield. By 1901 the family had moved to 7 George Street West, and 13 year old James was living here with his parents and siblings Annie (11), William (8) and Betsy (4). By this time James had left school and was working as a cotton weaver.. His siblings are shown on the census to be spread around, with Willie and Arthur living with Mr Barnett (farmer) at Langley and Annie and Betsy were with Joseph Whittaker, an herbalist in Chestergate, Macclesfield.
On 30th January 1906 James attested at Macclesfield for six years as a Militiaman with the Cheshire Regiment, receiving the service number 5970. He informed the attesting officer that he was now living at 7 Court 1 House Pierce Street, Macclesfield, and was employed by Mr. P. Davenport of Bridge Street Mill as a wire coverer. He also stated that he was presently serving with the 5th Volunteer Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment.
Almost two months later on 23 March 1906 James, then aged 19 years and 6 months, attested at Macclesfield into the regular army for a period of 12 years. He informed the attesting officer that he had served in the 4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. He travelled to Winchester for his training; medical records show that he was five feet four inches tall, weighed 130lbs with a 34 inch chest measurement, blue eyes, and dark brown hair, his religion was Church of England.
James served in India from 9th January 1907 until 9th December 1913; during this time he made good progress as he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 4th April 1908 and then Corporal on 17th January 1911. He is listed in 1911 census at the Kings Royal Rifle Corps barracks at Chakrata in India. He returned for home duty between 10 December 1913 until 20 May 1915. It was during this spell of home service that he married Daisy Knight on the 23rd November 1914, at Farnham Register Office. After marriage, Daisy lived at Brattons [Cottages, Plaxdale Green Road], Stansted, near Wrotham, Kent.
Their daughter Alice Bertha was born at Malling on 26th June 1915, one month before James died.
WW1 SERVICE
James was promoted to Sergeant on the 7th August 1914, at the start of the war, and to Company Sergeant Major on 3rd November 1914.
The King’s Royal Rifles were in the 14th Division, 42nd Infantry Brigade. The battalion embarked from Folkestone on the SS Victoria on 20th May 1915, landing at Boulogne at 2am the next day. From there, they marched 2½ miles uphill to camp at Ostrohove. On 22nd May they travelled by train to Zeggers Cassell, where they heard the guns faintly in the distance for the first time. On 30th May, the battalion left at 5am and marched to Dickebusch, 4 miles southwest of Ypres, moving again to Vlamertinghe in mid-June, and to Poperinghe at the end of the month.
On 19th July the battalion marched to Basseboom. There was heavy enemy shelling overnight on 29th July.
The Battalion war diary covers the action for the 30th July: Trenches, 5 a.m. during night heavy bombardment of front trenches heard. Orders received for the Battalion to carry out an attack on trench G10, in conjunction with attack by 43rd Brigade to retake trenches lost under liquid fire attack. The Battalion moved out of dug-outs and G.H.Q. at 12.30 p.m. and were in position ready to attack at 1.30 p. m, “B” and “D” Company’s in communication trench NORTH of MENIN ROAD, “C” and “A” Company’s support in S.3a, SOUTH of MENIN ROAD. Considerable losses were suffered while moving into these positions. Preliminary bombardment from, 2 p.m. to 2.45.p.m. At 2.45 p.m. guns lifted and bombers under Lt H. S. Richmond advanced to the attack immediately followed by “B” and “D” Company’s. The trench G10 was taken without much opposition - but a lively bombing encounter took place at the top of G10, and very considerable losses occurred from rifle and machine gun fire. 3 platoons of “C” company charged their front out of S.3a in direction of OLD BOND STREET but were almost wiped out by machine gun fire. The 43rd Brigade failed to retake the trench on the right.
James was killed in action on 30th July 1915, aged 27 years.
His widow, Daisy Johnson, received a pension of 17 shillings for herself and her daughter.
COMMEMORATION
Coy Sgt Maj James Johnson has no known grave and is commemorated on panel ref. 51 and 53 of the Menin Gate memorial at Ypres in Belgium.
In Macclesfield, Coy Sgt Maj James Johnson is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church, and St John's Church memorials.
Elsewhere, he is commemorated on the Stansted village war memorial in Kent.
Cheshire County Memorial Project would like to thank Harry Carlisle for researching this information on James.
Further research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.