Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the late John William and Betsy Johnson. The War Diary for today records. The 19th and 28th Bde’s supported by 21st Bde were ordered to carry out a night march with the intention of attacking at dawn. The march was commenced shortly after midnight, in massed formation, 28th Bde on right, 19th Bde on left. Formation of 28th Bde. Front line 51st SIKHS (FRONTIER FORCE) and Provisional Battn OXFORD AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY, second line 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT, third line 53rd SIKHS and 56th RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE). Owing to considerable delay during the march the attacking Bde’s were 1000 yards short of enemy’s position when it was daylight. Suddenly the enemy opened a withering fire. The first lines of the Bde pushed forward to within 800 yards of enemy’s position until compelled to halt through very heavy casualties (our own artillery on right bank of TIGRIS being responsible for a considerable number) when they entrenched. Some 400 yards behind these another line was established and consolidated by some 200 men of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and HIGHLAND Battn’s (1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS and BLACK WATCH of 19th Bde), the remaining units of both Bde’s extending in rear. Heavy fire was kept up by enemy throughout the day. At dusk the wounded and a few others of the Battn and other units crawled back, and organised stretcher parties were sent out. The following casualties occurred, very early in the Battn. Officers killed 2nd Lt H. BILLINGS, wounded Major R. N. KNATCHBULL D.S.O., Major A. F. R. COLQUHOUN, Capt C. A. BAMFORD, Capt H. N. H. GRIMBLE, Lt H. STOCKLEY, 2nd Lt T. MONAGHAN, 2nd Lt. J. HARBOTTLE, 2nd Lt. H. S. ELLIS. 2nd Lt B. BRAKES was wounded in the afternoon. Other ranks during the 6th April, killed 45, wounded 254, wounded but did not quit Battn 3, missing 19. Major D. L. WEIR D.S.O. reassumed command of the Battn on the afternoon of the 6th April.