George Henry Johnson (1867 - 1943)

Born 11 Jul 1867 in Port Nelson, Nelson, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Eliza Jane (Pike) Johnson — married 1896 in Nelson, New Zealand [uncertain]

Died 16 Feb 1943 at age 75 in Nelson, New Zealand

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George Johnson is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Biography

George Henry JOHNSON (son of Wiliam Sven JOHNSON and Christina LOVELL) was born 11 Jul 1867 at Port Nelson, New Zealand.^[1]

• A good part of his young days were spent at Motueka with his grandparents. He went to school there. Mr Bisley who was master at that time was well known to the Maoris there who called him “Cockbole”. He came back to Nelson when 13 years old.
• He also went to the Saddle & Harness trade and worked for PJ Dickson for years.
• He married Eliza Pike^[2] of Nelson and has 3 sons and one daughter living. A son died at Wakefield at a very young age. He has 6 grandchildren.
• He was in business for years at Wakefield and took an active part in the care of juvenile Oddfellows and others and was a foundation member of the Wakefield Bowling Club.
• He always took great interest in Ambulance work and was in the “Bearer Corps” for years. He was also a Naval Volunteer.
• He went overseas to help in hospital and ambulance work during 1914 – 1918 war, was in Egypt and afterwards “Brockenhurst”, England.
  • At enlistment in 1915, George was listed as a saddler, employed by Gorman Ltd. Nelson. He was living at 17 Halifax Street, Nelson.
  • He was a sergeant, then a private for NZ General Hospital and NZ Medical Corps serving on the Hospital Ship Marama. Because of his age and varicose veins, he served as a cook at "Brockenhurst".
  • 2 years 352 days service from 29/11/1915-15/11/1918
  • Awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal^[3]
• For many years he carried on ambulance work on the football fields and has now been made an honorary member of that body for service rendered. He holds long service medals in the volunteers of which he was a member in the Navals and ambulance section.
• He was a Past Guard in the Oddfellows Benefit Society
• Also a member of the Wakatu Rowing Club and won a number of races
• Also won a road race from the Black Horse Hotel into Nelson on the old penny-farthing bike for which he got a medal.
• He played football in the Stars and Albert’s football clubs
• When he returned from overseas after the Great War he worked several years for the City Council until retired.
• He died after a long time unwell on the 16th February 1943.^[4] Buried on Thursday 18th at 2pm Nelson Cemetery aged 75 years 7 months.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ "Births, Deaths & Marriages Online", [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (http://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz) Birth record 1867/19844
2. ↑ "Births, Deaths & Marriages Online", [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (http://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz) Marriage record 1896/3699
3. ↑ Archives New Zealand Military Personnel File of JOHNSON, George Henry - WW1 3/1400 - Army (R18053742)
4. ↑ "Births, Deaths & Marriages Online", [digital index], New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (http://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz) Death record 1943/17387
5. ↑ Original information from Angela Woodford Genealogy.com Tree Information from this website appears to be based on personal family recollection from the 1940s. Other sources added for verification.