Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick George Bolton a market gardener, born 1849 in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire, and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Bolton (nee Johnson, married on the 10th June 1875 in Ratby, Leicestershire), born 1844 in Groby, Leicestershire. Edward Johnson was born in the 1st quarter of 1876 in Groby, in April 1881 the family home was at The Nursery, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire. In April 1891 Edward was employed as a florist and was residing in the family home at Fleckney Road, Stonton Wyville, Leicestershire, together with his father, a florist and his mother. In the 3rd quarter of 1897 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district, Edward’s mother died, aged 53. In March 1901 Edward was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Kibworth Harcourt, together with his father, a domestic gardener, his step mother Ellen Bolton (nee Ames, married in the 4th quarter of 1898 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born 1862 in Lound, Suffolk. In April 1911 Edward was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing in the family home at 65, Bulwer Road, Leicester together with his wife Caroline Elizabeth Bolton (nee Sleet, married on the 26th December 1911 in St. Saviour’s Church, Leicester), born 1886 in Hull, Yorkshire, and their daughter Marion Elizabeth, born 13th June 1908 in Leicester, and after the April 1911 census two further children were born, Emma Caroline, born 30th November 1912 and Frederick Edward, born 13th May 1915, the latter two children were both born in Leicester. Their son Frederick Edward, died from acute nephritis and cardiac failure on the 3rd March 1918 in Kibworth Beachamp.
Edward attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve) on the 9th November 1915 in Leicester. He gave his present home address as 65, Bulwer Road, Leicester, his age as 39 years and 282 days and his trade or calling as gardener. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife Caroline Elizabeth Bolton of 65, Bulwer Road, Leicester, later changed to Harcourt Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 10¾ inches in height, weighed 149 pounds, and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 37½ inches. His vision was described as 6/6 and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he attested into the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Private, service number 89422 on the 9/11/15. Placed on the Army Reserve on the 10/11/15. Mobilised on the 29/5/16. Posted to the Lancashire and Cheshire Royal Garrison Artillery (T) on the 26/6/16. Posted to the 193rd (S) Battery Royal Garrison Artillery on the 11/8/16. Embarked from Folkestone with the 193rd Siege Battery to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 23/11/16. Disembarked in Boulogne, France on the 23/11/16. Attached Siege Park in the field on the 12/5/17. Rejoined unit in the field on the 28/6/17. Granted leave to the UK with ration allowance on the 2/1/18. Rejoined unit in the field on the 18/1/18. Admitted to hospital wounded suffering from gunshot wounds on the 22/7/18. -?- on the 4/8/18. 13th (Harvard U.S.A.) General Hospital report states gunshot wounds, multi, improving on the 9/8/18. Died of wounds in the 13th General Hospital, Boulogne on the 12/8/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 9/11/15 – 22/11/16, 1 year 14 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 1 year 263 days. Total service 2 years and 277 days. Edward was awarded the British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Edward’s widow Caroline Elizabeth Bolton on the 2nd June 1919, and was witnessed and signed by E. S. B. Fletcher, Clerk in Holy Orders, Kibworth Rectory, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Widow of soldier, Caroline Elizabeth Bolton of Harcourt Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire. Children of soldier, Marion Elizabeth Bolton, born June 13th 1908, Edna Caroline Bolton, born November 30th 1912, both of Harcourt Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire. Father of soldier, Frederick George Bolton, of Kibworth Harcourt. Mother of soldier, Ellen Bolton of Kibworth Harcourt. Edward’s widow was awarded a weekly pension of 25 shillings and 5 pence for herself and two children to commence on the 17th February 1919.