A Tetradic Tragedy ~ Part 4
Remembered With Honour
Sergeant Vernon Joseph Jacob Johnson Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
The Man Vernon Jacob Joseph Johnson (Bernard), was born on Tuesday 31st December 1912 Sunday 1st March 1914 in Ashendon, Buckinghamshire, son of George Herbert a Railway Plateman and Army Pensioner and Miriam Jane nee Burgess. He was one of 10 children, Florence Minnie (1906-1966), Edith Miriam (1907-1988), George Sidney (21st October 1910 – died working on the Burma Railway 4th September 1943), Stanley Maurice (1st March 1914 – killed in action in Egypt 4th October 1943), Ronald Wilfred Johnson ( 15th February 1915 - 1984), Albert Edward (13th March 1918 – killed in action at Normandy 8th August 1944), Frederick Arthur (27th December 1919 – 1974), Joan Mary (15th June 1922 - 1994) and a step sister Aleathea May Burgess (23rd May 1902 -July 1976).
In 1925 when Vernon was aged jus 9, his father died, leaving his mother to bring up the 10 children, although Florence and Edith would no doubt have helped being slightly older. Following his education Vernon joined the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion Ox and Bucks Light Infantry with service number 5380265. The 1939 Register shows him, aged 27 living at 249 Bowerdean Road, Chepping Wycombe. His occupation is Labourer and Army Corporal in 1st Bn Ox & Bucks LI, most likely as a prewar Territorial.
Following the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, Vernon was mobilised immediately and sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. However, following the fall of France, the three Territorial divisions, which had arrived in April equipped only with small arms, they were grouped together in an improvised corps called Petreforce and on 18 and 19 May, lacking motor transport, began to march or entrain towards their defence positions.
Vernon was killed in action on 28th May 1940 during the general withdrawal to Dunkirk. His body was never found and his name commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, panel 93. He was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star and War Medal 1939-35.
Vernon, Albert, George, Stanley and were all killed in action during World War II in different theatres but are reunited in the ranks of ‘The Glorious Dead’.
In 1925 when Vernon was aged jus 9, his father died, leaving his mother to bring up the 10 children, although Florence and Edith would no doubt have helped being slightly older. Following his education Vernon joined the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion Ox and Bucks Light Infantry with service number 5380265. The 1939 Register shows him, aged 27 living at 249 Bowerdean Road, Chepping Wycombe. His occupation is Labourer and Army Corporal in 1st Bn Ox & Bucks LI, most likely as a prewar Territorial.
Following the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, Vernon was mobilised immediately and sent to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force. However, following the fall of France, the three Territorial divisions, which had arrived in April equipped only with small arms, they were grouped together in an improvised corps called Petreforce and on 18 and 19 May, lacking motor transport, began to march or entrain towards their defence positions.
Vernon was killed in action on 28th May 1940 during the general withdrawal to Dunkirk. His body was never found and his name commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, panel 93. He was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star and War Medal 1939-35.
Vernon, Albert, George, Stanley and were all killed in action during World War II in different theatres but are reunited in the ranks of ‘The Glorious Dead’.
Dunkirk's Memorial to the Missing, Dunkirk, France. Vernon Johnson.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
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This page last updated 13 Jun 24
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