Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Appeal for Relatives - William Alexander Johnson

 

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission launched an Appeal for Relatives on their website, www.cwgc.org. The appeal is next of kin of fallen military personnel who have been killed in either of the two world wars, and they are buried in local churchyards or cemeteries.  Their names on the headstone have worn away and can't be read anymore. The Commission would like to place a memorial on the grave with the person's military details.

So, this month there are three appeals of three soldiers who are buried at St. Peters, Cockett.

The first appeal is for Private William Alexander Johnson, who served with the 1^st/6^th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, and died on the 21^st of November 1918.

William Alexander Johnson
burial register
St. Peters Church

William was buried on the 29^th, and the burial register records that his home address was 9 Mackworth Terrace, St. Thomas.

William who was born in 1896, was the son of Einar Johnson and Mary Ann Hanson.  His parents were married in 1888.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Johnson family was residing at 13 James Street, Swansea.

Einar, who was born in Norway, is 41 years and his occupation is recorded as Seaman.  Mary Ann is 40.  Their children are Thomas, 11; May, 10; Evelyn, 7; William, 4; Elsie, 2 and Jessie, 4 months.  Also present at the property during the census night is Emily Johnson, 30, a machinist, who is Einar’s sister-in-law.

So, what other information is there regarding William’s parents and siblings?

1939 Register

At the time of the 1939 Register, both Einar and Mary A. and their daughter, Elsie are residing at 22 Benthall Place, St. Thomas. Einar’s occupation is recorded as Transport Worker Retired, whilst Elsie’s is recorded as Warehouse Clerk.

Mary died in 1940, whilst Einar the following year, in 1941.  They are both buried at St. Peters.

Thomas Einar, the eldest brother, also fought during the First World War, where he was ranked as Acting Sergeant and served with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was discharged in 1919.

Thomas was married in 1915, to Edith Lailan Parfitt, at St. Nicholas church.

1921 Census

At the time of the 1921 Census, Thomas, 31, and Edith, 30, were residing at 23 Kilvey Terrace.  They had a 4-year-old daughter, Muriel Edith.  Thomas’s occupation is recorded as General Clerk.

Thomas died in 1935.

May the older sister, married in 1911 to Morgan J. Evans at St. James Church

Morgan J. Evans
Attestation Papers 

1939 Register 

Two sons were Kenneth G., born in 1914, and William E., born in 1918.  Between the two sons, Morgan and enlisted in 1915.  At the time of his enlistment, the family was living at 23 Vivian Road, Sketty.

At the time of the 1939 Register, the family was residing at 53 Oxford Street.

Morgan’s occupation is Labourer PO (Heavy ……..), whilst Emily’s was Office Cleaner (Engineer Dept.)  Kenneth was a Cable Joiner PO and William worked in the Engineering Department Assist Press Cartridge Ma???

Evelyn married George A. Garnett in 1915. 

1921 Census

At the time of the 1921 Census, the couple are residing at 9 Mackworth Terrace, St. Thomas.

George, 30, was born in Wood Green, Middlesex, and his occupation is Sailor Male in Coastal Wire Stream Painter.  Evelyn is 28.  They have four children, George Albert, 5; Evelyn May, 3; William Einar, 2 and months old Dorothy Edith.

The youngest sister, Jessie, married in 1922 to William G. Thomas.

1939 Register 

At the time of the 1939 Register, the couple are residing at 15 Benthall Place.  William’s occupation is a Blacksmith Streaker Tir John Power Station.  The couple has four children, who may be alive still today.

If anyone knows anyone mentioned, contact the Commission