Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of David Johnson, a grazier and sub postmaster, born 1858 in Gaddesby, Leicestershire, who was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Johnson and his wife Elizabeth Johnson (nee Fox, married in the 1st quarter of 1883 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district) an assistant postmistress, born the 1855 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Joseph Fox, a schoolboy was born in 1st quarter of 1886 in Gaddesby, his siblings were, Minnie, a schoolgirl, born 1885, Daisy, born 1887 and Percy Edward, born 1890, all his siblings were born in Gaddesby, in April 1891 the family home was at Front Street, Gaddesby. In March 1901 Joseph was employed as a gardener and was residing in the family home at the Post Office, Gaddesby, together with his father, a grazier, his mother, a sub postmistress and his siblings, Minnie, a telegraphic clerk, Daisy and Percy. In April 1911 Joseph was absent from the family home at The Post Office, Gaddesby, residing there was his father, a grazier, his mother, a sub postmistress and Stilton cheese maker, and his siblings, Minnie, a post office assistant, Daisy, a post office assistant and Percy, a grazier, also residing in the family home was Joseph’s niece, Ella Louise Johnson, born 1909 in Gaddesby, Joseph was employed as a gardener and was residing as a boarder at 7, Dollar Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Joseph attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 17th November 1915 in Cirencester. He gave his home address as Gaddesby, Leicestershire, his age as 29 years and his trade or calling as gardener. He confirmed that he was unmarried. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height, weighed 135 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 36½ inches. His physical development was described as good. He was pronounced fit for service in the field, at home and overseas on the 16th November 1915 in Cirencester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 10/23294 on the ?/11/15. Posted to Rugeley Camp on the 11/12/15. Embarked from Devonport to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, aboard H.T. Llandovery Castle, on the 14/5/16. Disembarked at Basra on the 13/6/16. Joined the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 30/6/16. Admitted to the 20th British Field Ambulance, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head, in the field, where he died of his wounds on the 25/7/16. Joseph was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Joseph’s mother Elizabeth on the 16th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?-, Clerk in Holy Orders, -?-, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, David Johnson of Gaddesby. Mother of soldier, Elizabeth Johnson of Gaddesby. Full blood brothers of soldier, Percy Edward Johnson, age 28 of -?-. Full blood sisters of soldier, Minnie Johnson, age 34 of Gaddesby. Daisy Jones, age 31 of Burbage, Hinckley. Joseph’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 24 Jul-16 – The Battalion prepared to go into the trenches at SANNAIYAT, paraded at 7.10 pm and relieved SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS at 9.00 pm. Great deal of sniping, one man severely wounded during the relief. “A” and “B” Companies in PRINCES trench, “D” and one platoon of “B” in EMPERORS trench, “C” Company in QUEENS trench (Local Reserve) Headquarters in PIONEER redoubt.
The War Diary records: 25 Jul-16 - Our artillery bombarded enemy’s trenches, about 6.00 am. The results were not discernible but it appeared to be good shooting. Seven men of the Battalion who had served since the beginning of the war proceeded on furlough to INDIA. Quiet day, fairly quiet night. 2nd Lieutenant H. S. SYMINGTON was accidentally wounded by the premature explosion of a “Mills” grenade.
On Friday August 18th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – GADDESBY. – LOCAL SOLDIER’S DEATH. On Sunday morning last, the painful news of the death of their eldest son, from wounds received in the Persian Gulf on July 25th, was conveyed to Mr. and Mrs. D. Johnson by post from the War Office. Previous to joining the army deceased was engaged as gardener at Cirencester Abbey, where he gained some distinction. His keen sense of duty helped him to go cheerfully and bravely to face what he knew would be a trying ordeal. The family have the sympathy of the entire village. And in the same issue under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. – JOHNSON.-Died of wounds in the Persian Gulf, on July 25th, Joseph Fox, eldest son of David and Elizabeth Johnson, of the Post Office, Gaddesby, aged 30 years.