A Tetradic Tragedy ~ Part 2
Every Day Remembrance Day
Private Albert Edward Johnson 1st Battalion Leicesteshire Regiment
The Man Albert Edward Johnson was born on Wednesday 13th March 1918 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), Bernard (Vernon) Joseph Jacob (31st December 1912 - killed in action at Dunkirk 29th May 1940), Stanley Maurice (1st March 1914 – killed in action in Egypt 4th October 1943), Ronald Wilfred Johnson ( 15th February 1915 - 1984), 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 Albert was aged just 7, 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 Albert became a Boot and Shoe Warehouse Despatcher and the 1939 Register shows him, aged 20 living with the family at 4 Helmsley Road in Leicester.
Following the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, Albert was called up to serve in the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment as a Private with service number 4860768.
He served throughout the war and was involved in the D-Day landings from 6th June 1944, being killed in action on 8th August 1944 aged 26. He was buried in Plot I.D.34 at Ranville Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in France. Ranville being the first village in France liberated after the bridge over the Caen canal was captured by the 6th Airborne Division. Many of their casualties are buried at Ranville.
Albert was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45.
Albert, George, Stanley and Vernon 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 Albert was aged just 7, 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 Albert became a Boot and Shoe Warehouse Despatcher and the 1939 Register shows him, aged 20 living with the family at 4 Helmsley Road in Leicester.
Following the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939, Albert was called up to serve in the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment as a Private with service number 4860768.
He served throughout the war and was involved in the D-Day landings from 6th June 1944, being killed in action on 8th August 1944 aged 26. He was buried in Plot I.D.34 at Ranville Commonwealth War Grave Cemetery in France. Ranville being the first village in France liberated after the bridge over the Caen canal was captured by the 6th Airborne Division. Many of their casualties are buried at Ranville.
Albert was posthumously awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45.
Albert, George, Stanley and Vernon were all killed in action during World War II in different theatres but are reunited in the ranks of ‘The Glorious Dead’.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- France and Germany Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
This page last updated 13 Jun 24
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