Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John was the eldest of eighteen children of John Godfrey Johnson (b1848 in Bolivia NSW - anedotal history is that John was born in Bolivia, South America) and Ellen Folwell (b1859 in Stawell, Victoria). John's parents had come to NSW in 1841 as Assisted Immigrants before moving to Victoria. John (a Labourer) and Ellen married in 1875 in Heathcote Victoria and lived in NSW before moving their family to WA by 1894. John worked as a Labourer in Perth WA before moving to Darkan where he was a Farmer.

John worked as a Mail Sorter for the GPO in Perth, WA and in 1901 married Alice Maud Bradshaw (b1883 in Violet Town, Victoria). The couple settled in North Perth, WA and in November 1915 John enlisted in the AIF. He was a Private (Service No:46) with the Australian Army Postal Corps when he embarked from Australia on 18 November 1915. In November 1916 John was promoted to Corporal, and in November 1917 to ER Sergeant. John embarked on 17 June 1918 for his return to Australia on board D13 HT Matatua and was Discharged on 10 October 1918. John was one of eight brothers who served in WWI and WWII.

Back in Perth WA, John and Alice lived in Perth and John worked again as a Mail Sorter with the GPO. He died in 1949 and Alice in 1973.