Bernard Arthur Johnson

Key Information

Name: Bernard Arthur Johnson
DoB: September 20 1897
Regt: Private 2360, 1st/24th Battalion London Regiment
DoD: May 26 1915
Academic Career: CGS 1910-13
Other: Civil Service, Boy Clerk
Biographical Information:

  • Bernard Arthur Johnson holds the sorry distinction of being the school’s youngest casualty of the Great War. He was the son of Henry and Mary Alice Johnson of 34, Bower Street, Carlisle. His father was a colour sergeant in the Border Regiment and as he is recorded as having been born in India (Central Provinces), it seems likely this was a military family. Bernard had a sister, Eva Mary, who was nine years younger; another sibling had died. In the 1901 Census, Bernard was living with his mother and grandparents and three of his aunts in Wandsworth London. His maternal grandfather, John Fennessey, from Ireland, was a Superintendent of Police, Pension Office, having risen through police ranks. Henry Johnson meanwhile must have been abroad with the army or in barracks.  By the time Bernard was killed his father was already dead and his mother was back in Chelsea where she was born. Was young Bernard so determined to follow in his father’s footsteps that he lied about his age in order to join up?