Trafford

Born at Tarvin, Cheshire in 1877, the eldest son of James & Mary Ellen
Johnson (nee Davies).  Baptised at Tarvin on the 14th November 1877.

1881 Census - Gatley, Stockport Etchells.   Son - aged: 3 - born:
Willington, Cheshire.   Head of household - James Johnson - Married - aged:
24 - occ: Police Constable - born: Kelsall, Cheshire.   Also - Mary E.
Johnson - Wife - aged: 24 - born: Kelsall, Cheshire.   Plus 2 younger
siblings.   Hannah E. (2) - Elizabeth (7 mo).

1891 Census - 61 Penny's Lane, Witton, Cheshire.    Son - aged: 13 - occ:
General Labourer - born: Tarvin, Cheshire.   Head of household - James
Johnson - Married - aged: 34 - occ: Chemical Labourer - born: Kelsall,
Cheshire.  Also - Mary Ellen Johnson - Wife - aged: 36 - born: Cheshire.   
Plus - 3 younger siblings.     Hannah Ellen (11) - Elizabeth (10) - John
Joseph (4).

*In 1898, he enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers at Bury
- No. 6991.  He served with them for 8 years until 1906.

1901 Census - No Trace.  Presumably serving in South Africa?

1911 Census - 29 Police Street, Altrincham.   Boarder - aged: 30 - Single -
occ: Groom -  born: Wheetwood Cheshire (Tarvin area).   Boarder with George
& Margaret Owen.   George Owen was a 34 year old Market Gardener & Margaret
Owen was also aged: 34.  George & Margaret had 4 children - Francis (11) -
Lillian (8) - Herbert (6) - Gertrude (4).

George Owen died in 1912, aged: 35 and William married his widow - Margaret
Owen at St. Margaret's P.C. on the 14th October 1914.  They resided at 33
Chapel Street.

Served with the Lancashire Fusiliers for 8 years - Egypt, Malta, Gibraltar,
India, the Soudan and South Africa.

Employed at a local Market Gardening establishment.   Taken over George
Owen's post perhaps?

Death reported in the 02/07/1915 edition of the Altrincham Guardian.    
Photo in 09/07/1915 edition of the local newspaper.

SDGW states that he was born at 'Westwood' - this should read  Weetwood.

Chapel St Memorial states that he was in the Cheshire Rgt.  Local newspaper
states that he was with the 1st Bn, Lancashire Fusiliers.

Landed on 'W' Beach, Gallipoli on 25/04/1915.   They suffered very heavy
casualties and the Beach was later re-named the Lancashire Landing Beach
with a CWGC cemetery of the same name.   Moving now onto June
1915.............................

Moved to Gurkha Bluff on 01/06, ready for the 3rd Battle of Krithia.  
British bombardmant started on 04/06 and many shells fell short causing
high casualties - the Machine Gun Section was put out of action.    'A' &
'B' Coys attacked in centre on Gully Spur at 12 noon - heavy losses from
Turkish rifle and machine gun fire.  'C' & 'D' Coys followed and suffered
the same way - most men were hit whilst climbing their trench parapets -
very few got more than a few yards. (514 casualties)   Relieved and to Pink
House in reserve on 06/06.   To Gully Beach 11/06, then to the trenches at
Krithia Nullah on 12/06.    To bivouacs at West Gully Beach on 17/06.

Listed in the Guardian Year Book - Roll of Honour for 1916.

See also "The Bravest Little Street in England" by Karen Cliff, Trafford
Local Studies Library.