Frederick Reginald Johnson

Army, Commemorated name/s, Other Regiments

Frederick Reginald Johnson DCM
Private 62889 57th Coy.,
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)

Division 78
Extension

F R Johnson DCM citation 1of2 F R Johnson DCM citation 2of2

 

Frederick Reginald Johnson  was the only son of Arthur and Louisa Johnson,  of  99, Elm Park Road, Reading.  He is commemorated on his parents grave.  His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.  Panel 154 to 159 and 163A..  He died on 21st  September 1917, aged 24.

At 5.40am on 20th September 1917 what was subsequently called the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge began. New tactics by the British limited objectives to what could be taken and held.  The artillery planning was precise and troops advanced behind a creeping barrage.  South of the Menin Road the advance was successful in the face of heavy German resistance.  Inverness Copse, Glencourse Wood, Veldhoek and part of Polygon Wood were taken on the 20th September.  The German strong point of Tower Hamlets held out until 23rd September.  There was severe fighting and much loss of life on both sides with the Allies repulsing counter attack after counter attack.  The ground was churned up and German air attacks made carrying casualties even more difficult.  Many injured men and the bodies of the dead were lost  in barrages and artillery fire from both sides.  It is not known exactly when or how Frederick Johnson met his death but his body became on of the 34,888 of the Missing named on the Tyne Cot Memorial

The 1911 census indicated that he assisted his father in the family Bakery.

George Thomas Jones

Registered War Grave, Royal Berkshire Regiment

George Thomas Jones
Private 34085
3rd Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment

 Division 38

 

 George Thomas Jones,  was the son of  Inkerman and Harriet Jones, of Drayton, Berkshire; and husband of Emily Champion (formerly Jones), of 62, Norton Road, Reading.  His is a registered war grave with a CWGC war pattern headstone, number 10766.

Private Jones died of sickness on 17th February 1917.  He had only been in the army one month.

Benjamin Josey

Graves

Benjamin Josey
Private 200293
Royal Berkshire Regiment

 

This information and photographs have been supplied by Jeffrey Dixon who is the great nephew of Private Josey.

Private Josey died aged 23 of a head wound received in the 2nd Battle of the Somme.

He had lived in Coley, Reading and had the occupation of a tin maker.