Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Johnson, a farmer, born 1849 in Knighton, Leicester and baptised on the 29th May 1849 in the Parish Church, Great Glen, Leicestershire and his wife Harriett Johnson (nee Pratt, married on the 26th July 1869 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester) born 1842 in Frolesworth, Leicestershire and baptised on the 6th March 1842 in the Parish Church, Frolesworth. Ernest Harry was born in the 3rd quarter of 1881 in Aylestone, Leicester and was baptised on the 5th December 1881 in St. Mary Magdalen Church, Knighton, his siblings were, Robert Stanley, born 1873 and Emily, born 1876, the latter two siblings were born in Leicester, Archibald, born 1880 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and Christopher, born 1883 in Knighton, also residing in the family home was Ernest’s widowed maternal Grandfather, William Pratt, born 1813 in Withybrook, Warwickshire, in April 1891 the family home was at Frisby Lodge, Three Gates, Frisby by Gaulby, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a farm worker and was residing in the family home at Frisby Lodge, Frisby by Gaulby, together with his father, a farmer and grazier, his mother and siblings, Christopher, a farm worker and Emily, a domestic help.
Ernest enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 24th August 1914 in Ottawa, and was allotted the service number 1596. He gave his date of birth as 1883, place of birth as Leicestershire, his next of kin as father, Frisby, Billesdon, Leicestershire, marital status as single and his trade or calling as horseman
He confirmed that he was serving with the Active Militia
His descriptive examination that took place on the 21st August 1914 in Ottawa recorded that his apparent age was 31 years, he was 5-feet 6½ inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 35 and 38 inches, his complexion was described as medium, he had blue eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, tattoo on left upper arm, he gave his religion as Church of England.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Embarked. From Southampton. 20/12/14.
Missing. In the Field. 8/5/15.
Previously reported missing now for official purposes presumed to have died in the field. 8/5/15.
Was with his Regiment at Bellewarde Lake, near Ypres on 8th May, 1915, and took part in the battle of that day. He did not answer Roll Call held the night of that date, and no further information concerning him has been obtainable.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 8 May-15 – BELLEWARDE LAKE. 4:00am. Shelling by Germans started chiefly from our right flank which enfiladed our fire trenches, this grew more severe by 5:30 and about this time some Germans were noticed coming down hill directly in front of us and we opened rapid fire on them.
6:00am. All our telephone wires were cut by this time both to Brigade and also to trenches so all Signallers, Pioneers, Orderlies and servants were ordered into support trenches and shortly afterwards all advance by Germans was checked, and any not sheltered by buildings or dead crawled back over crest of ridge to trenches. Germans had two possibly three Machine Guns in buildings and were sweeping our parapets both in fire and support trenches. An orderly took a note to Brigade Headquarters notifying them of situation.
7:00am. Major GAULT was severely hit (by shell in left arm and left thigh.) Shelling by heavy howitzers using all high explosives and field guns started again in heavy bombardment both on fire and support trenches. Fire trench on right being blown in at several points. A note by orderly to Brigade notified them we were being heavily shelled and asking for reinforcements as our casualties were heavy.
9:00am. Cessation in shelling and Germans again attempted to advance but heavy fire from our Machine Guns and rifles checked them and forced them to retire and take cover at this time PRINCESS PATRICIA’S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY accounted for many of the enemy. Lieutenant MARTIN and TRIGGS were hit and came out of left connecting trench with number of wounded. Captain HILL and Lieutenant DE BAY hit also.
9:30am. -?- at this time and was in communication with the Officer of the KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY on our left and Officer of the 4th RIFLE BRIGADE on our right, both were suffering heavy casualties from enfilade fire. Bombardment started again particular attention being paid to our Machine Guns all Machine Guns were buried but two were dug out and mounted again one three times but a shell killed every man on its section.
10:30am. Left half of our right fire trench was completely destroyed and Lieutenant DENNISON ordered Lieutenant CLARK to take remaining men and get in our right communicating trench. Lieutenant DENNISON and Lieutenant LANE still held part of our right fire trench with few men. Lieutenant EDWARDS was killed. Our left fire trench (right half) suffered severely and trench was blown in and Machine Gun put out of action. Sergeant SCOTT and few men withdrew to communication trench and held it until it was blown in. Lieutenant CRAWFORD who was most gallant was severely wounded. Captain ADAMSON who had been handing out ammunition was hit in shoulder but continued to work with only one arm useful. Regimental Sergeant Major FRASER was also handing out Small Arms Ammunition to support trenches was killed instantly by bullet in head.
12:00am. -?- had been extremely brave taking messages to Brigade and reserve Battalion kept in rear of BELLEWARDE LAKE during the morning as ground they covered was continually shelled. A message was sent asking Brigade for more Small Arms Ammunition as rifle fire was brisk at all times.
1:30pm. One Platoon of 4th RIFLE BRIGADE was lent us as reinforcements [and the support trench gave them a cheer as they came up] and placed them on our extreme right in order to watch our flank as we were unable from trench to overlook this ground. They were in line with our support trench behind trees and hedge. They also sent a Machine Gun and section that did good service.
2:00pm. I went with orderly to BELLEWARDE LAKE dugouts as ordered by Brigade to telephone General Officer Commanding 80th Infantry Brigade complete details of situation returning at 2:30pm. Orderlies accompanying me both going and coming were hit by high explosive shells.
3:00pm. A Platoon of KING’S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY under an Officer reached our support line with 20 boxes of Small Arms Ammunition which was distributed. This party also acted as reinforcement and occupied left end of support trench.
4:00pm. Made tour of support trenches and found we were out of touch with Regiment on our left a gap of fifty yards was unoccupied, I placed 8 men in this gap to inform me of happenings there, shortly afterwards I was informed that MONMOUTH REGIMENT on left of KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY had withdrawn to trenches 300 yards in rear and about 5:30 was informed that KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY had also withdrawn to same line of trenches. Another attempt by Germans to advance was stopped by our rifle fire although some reached our fire trench on right that could not be observed from our support trench but I believe at this time there were none of our men alive at this point.
11:30pm. We were relieved by 3rd KING’S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS who gave us assistance to bury our dead that were in support and communicating trenches as it was impossible and imprudent to attempt to reach the fire trenches.
Our casualties were as follows: Killed Lieutenant EDWARDS, died of wounds Lieutenant CRAWFORD, missing Lieutenant DENNISON and Lieutenant LANE, wounded Major GAULT, Captain ADAMSON, Captain HILL, Lieutenant DE BAY. Lieutenant MARTIN, Lieutenant TRIGGS. Other ranks 93 killed, 79 missing, 203 wounded.
On Monday 2nd August 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” - Private H. JOHNSON, Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry, was killed at Ypres on May 9th. He was 35 years of age, and a native of Frisby. He also served in the South African war as a trooper in the Mounted Police.