Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Johns, a cigar maker, born 1848 in Finsbury, Middlesex (son of George Johns, 1806 and Sarah Johns, 1803) and his wife Mary Johns (nee Ayres, married in the July quarter of 1870 in the Leicester district), born in the October quarter of 1845 in Leicester (daughter of James Ayres, 1806 and Mary Cammack, 1806). Albert Arthur was a schoolboy and was born in the October quarter of 1883 in Leicester, his siblings were, Frank, a shoe trade clicker, born on the 7th January 1872, Harry, a shoe trade clicker, born in the October quarter of 1873, Walter, a shoe trade clicker, born in the January quarter of 1876, Alice, a box trade worker, born in the January quarter of 1878, Charles, a schoolboy, born on the 26th April 1880, Frederick George, a schoolboy, born in the October quarter of 1885 and Harriett Mary A., a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1888, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at Southampton Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Albert was employed as a tobacconist’s assistant and was residing in the family home at 46, Southampton Street, Leicester together with his father, a cigar maker, his mother and siblings, Walter, a shoe trade clicker, Alice, a cigar maker and Frederick, a newsagent’s assistant. In April 1911 Albert was employed as a tobacconist’s manager and was residing as a boarder at 43, Lower Hastings Street, Leicester.
Albert attested into the Territorial Force to serve (One year’s Embodied Service at Home) on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Leicester, his age as 30 years and 11 months and his trade or calling as tobacconist’s manager. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father Arthur Johns of 15, Epsom Road, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 36½ and 38½ inches. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2677 on the 8/9/14. Embodied service commenced and posted to the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 8/9/14. Appointed paid Lance Corporal, in the field on the 12/10/15. Appointed paid acting Lance Sergeant, in the field, vice L/Sgt Lynch (killed 12/10/15) on the 14/10/15. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry at the Hohenzollern Redoubt on the 13/10/15. Promoted substantive Sergeant, in the field, vice Sellars (transferred to England) on the 3/1/16. Killed in action on the 30/6/16. The following information was provided by Albert’s brother Harry Johns on the 5th September 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?-. Sawday, J.P. Leicester, 6, Market Street, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, none. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brothers of soldier, Frank Johns, age 47 of 23, Epsom Road, Leicester. Harry Johns, age 46 of 6, Mursell Street, Leicester, Walter Johns, age 44 of Kelly Road, Greenock, Charles Johns, age 40 of Colley End Park, Paignton and Frederick Johns, age 36 of Openshaw, Manchester. Full blood sisters of soldier, Alice Hood, age 42 of Hoby, near Leicester. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 8/9/14 – 1/3/15, 175 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 30/6/16, 1 year 122 days. Total service 1 year 297 days. Albert was awarded the 1914-15 Start, British and Victory medals and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Albert’s surviving service documents are in 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 citation in the London Gazette dated 29th November 1915 reads: - “For conspicuous gallantry on 13th October 1915, when, with a party of five men, he cleared with bombs the right flank of Hohenzollern Redoubt, encountering about ten of the enemy. He then proceeded across the open, under heavy machine-gun fire, to the east face, and with bombs held back every attack while a party of the Monmouthshire Regiment dug themselves in.” At the time the action in the citation was performed Albert held the rank of Private.
On Tuesday, November 30th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDALS. – Three Local Privates Honoured. – A supplement to the “London Gazette” states that the King has been pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Expeditionary Force: -
2243 Private W. H. Hallam, 1st/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Territorial Force.
For conspicuous bravery on the 13th October 1915, at Hohenzollern Redoubt, when with only one companion, he held back the enemy for many hours. They were both utterly exhausted, but volunteered to continue to keep the enemy at bay until the trench had been blocked, which was eventually successfully done. Both he and his companion gave a fine example of courage and devotion to duty
2377 Private A. A. Johns, 1st/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Territorial Force.
For conspicuous gallantry on the 13th October, 1915, when with a party of five men, he cleared with bombs the right flank of Hohenzollern Redoubt, encountering about ten of the enemy. He then proceeded across the open under heavy machine gun fire, to the east face, and with bombs held back every attack while a party of the Monmouthshire Regiment dug themselves in.
2016 Private F. R. Ratcliffe 1st/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Territorial Force.
For conspicuous bravery on the 13th October, 1915 at Hohenzollern Redoubt, when he was the first man of his platoon to reach the redoubt. Single-handed he attacked several of the enemy and with the greatest coolness and gallantry led his platoon until he fell wounded. His fine example was a great encouragement to all with him.
On Wednesday, December 1st, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTER HEROES DECORATED. (Two photographs accompanied the article). – Of the three men of the Leicestershire Territorials awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous bravery at the Hohenzollern Redoubt on October 13th, one, Private F. R. Ratcliffe, has not, unfortunately, survived the ordeal of battle. He and his brother, Sergeant W. J. Ratcliffe, of the 1/4th Leicester’s, have both fallen in action. Their parents reside at 4, Walnut-street, Leicester.
Private A. A. Johns, another of the Hohenzollern heroes, was among the first, to join the 4th Leicester’s after the outbreak of war, and has a wide circle of friends in the town, having prior to enlisting been manager for Messrs. Godrich, cigar merchants, Granby-street. Private Johns was recently home on leave, and upon returning to France was presented with a letter from General Stuart Wortley, congratulating him on his gallantry in the field, while on October 31st, after a church parade, the Brigadier read a telegram from the Commander-in-Chief stating that he had been awarded the D.C.M. along with Private Ratcliffe. Private Johns has since been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
A friend of Private Johns provides the following details of Private Johns gallantry. He was one of a party of bombers in the attack. Most of the bomb party were killed before they reached the first German lines. Private Johns was fortunate enough to reach it in safety, and proceeding up a small communication trench he came across a Sergeant and three other men of the 4th’s. Private Johns proceeded in advance of the party about 20 yards, and discovered eight or ten of the enemy approaching. He immediately commenced to bomb them, putting all out of action, and thus enabled the small party to clear up this portion of the trench, and link up with the other sections of the 4th’s, from which they had become isolated.
On Friday December 3rd 1915, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDALS. - THREE LOCAL PRIVATES HONOURED. A supplement to the “London Gazette” states that the King has been pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under-mentioned for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Expeditionary Force: -
2243, Private W. H. Hallam, 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Territorial Force.
For conspicuous bravery on the 13th October, 1915, at Hohenzollern Redoubt, when with one companion only, he held back the enemy for many hours. They were both utterly exhausted, but volunteered to continue to keep the enemy at bay until the trench had been blocked, which was eventually successfully done. Both he and his companion gave a fine example of courage and devotion to duty.
2677, Private A. A. Johns, 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Territorial Force.
For conspicuous gallantry on the 13th October, 1915, when with a party of five men, he cleared with bombs the right flank of Hohenzollern Redoubt, encountering about ten of the enemy. He then proceeded across the open, under heavy machine gun fire, to the east face, and with bombs held back every attack while a party of the Monmouthshire Regiment dug themselves in.
2016, Private F. R. Ratcliffe, 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Territorial Force.
For conspicuous bravery on the 13th October 1915, at Hohenzollern Redoubt, when he was the first man of his platoon to reach the redoubt. Single-handed he attacked several of the enemy and with the greatest coolness and gallantry led his platoon until he fell wounded. His fine example was a great encouragement to all with him.
The War Diary records: 27-30 Jun-16 - FONQUEVILLERS sector. In front line trenches during original X, Y and Z days. 2 days afterwards altered to July 1st. Relieved by 5th Battalion SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT in front line from GOMMECOURT ROAD to STAFFORD AVENUE and by 5th Battalion NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT thence to LINCOLN LANE. Relief complete 5.30pm. Battalion marched back to billets at ST. AMAND preparatory for the attack by 137th and 139th Infantry Brigade’s, 138th being in reserve. The attack due to commence July 1st 1916 at 7.30am.