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Lester (Johnnie) was born and raised in the Riverland town of Renmark. He was the only son, born on the 19th July ’15 to Isaac Leslie and Annie Rebecca Johnson who owned and worked on an irrigation block. He had a sister Ellen Wallace. Soon after Lester’s birth, his father, Isaac had enlisted to serve in WWI on June 5th 1917. However, his poor eyesight where both eyes focussed in different directions, meant that he was discharged the following month, being adjudged unfit for military service despite being noted as of good conduct and character.
Aged 11, A Block E (the local School site) Boy Scout Group was formed with three boys enrolled. Lester was elected as the leader and immediately, tenderfoot tests were outlined by the new Scout Master. The following year in January ’28 the Troop set out on a Scout Camp. The Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record reported that whirlies accompanied the venture with copious sand deposited on the group. ‘One enterprising boy brought nine eggs and for a wonder no one sat on them. The odour of cooking sausages, bacon and eggs, etc. was in strong contrast to the perfume of our local creek. The tent when erected had an unusual appearance and a list to starboard, but though the nights were cold the B.P. knights found their camp very snug.’ Besides games, public speaking and a mock trial, other features included ‘shooting and swimming tests. A pass in shooting is 17 marks out of 25. Lester Johnson and Jim Gray scored 11 each. Good work was done at stretcher drill and main arteries.’ Those shooting skills were later to be of importance when Lester enlisted to serve in WWII.
At the local Renmark North School, Lester was named Dux and his name included on the Honour Roll for ’28 when he successfully completed his Qualifying Certificate but chose not to continue to High School. Instead, he followed his great interest in his father’s work on the block and also working for another ‘blockie’, Mr Pethick. Despite an initial injury to his wrist, by May ’31 Lester’s aptitude was noted in the Murray Pioneer ‘Master Lester Johnston, born and bred on an irrigation block, is a coming young irrigationist. He not only takes a great interest in the fruit grown and processed by his father, Mr. "Ike" Johnson on Block. E, but he was instrumental in gaining the first prize for the beautiful Sultanas entered in the modified dip section.’
Hard work was balanced by Lester’s involvement and ability playing football for the local Rovers team where he was frequently named in the best player list.
As with most country boys, Lester had driven cars from an early age and was not atypical in being slow to gain a formal licence. Unfortunately, in ’36 he was fined 40/- and 20/- costs for driving a car without a licence. Lester was also exceptionally lucky to escape when involved in an evening crash with two other stationary vehicles, a car and a truck, parked together on the road. One had run out of fuel and the other had driven into the town, returning with fuel. Lester was driving the family car with both parents and his sister Ellie, heading for Renmark. Just after the Ral Ral Bridge Lester ran into the stationary car and truck, one of which he believed had no lights on. He sustained a severe gash on his head from flying glass and was taken to hospital, receiving ten stitches. His family were also treated for shock. A court case ensued as the two stationary cars were facing in opposite directions leaving minimal room between them for a travelling car on the road to pass between. Lester’s head lights and brakes were in good order, and he was driving carefully. The attending Constable noted that one of the crashed vehicles did not have lights on. The issue of whether both stationary cars had lights on was debated with the defendant eventually given the benefit of the doubt.
The scars healed and by May ’37 Lester was best man at his sister Ellen Wallace’s marriage to Frederick James Braddock of Crystal Brook. By this stage a young woman, Joan Loller, who was also active in the Girl Guides, was on the scene. The two became engaged in January ’38 with their friends throwing a "green" kitchen evening in the Oddfellows' Hall in their honour. Many useful presents were received while the guests enjoyed dancing followed by a typically delicious home-made supper. The two were married on December 1st ’38 in the local Methodist Church before settling in Renmark Avenue, Renmark. The following year Joan and Lester were also involved in Thomas Wescombe’s marriage to Alice Wood. (Tom enlisted some time after Lester in October ’41 as SX14784 in the 10th/48 Battalion.) Joan and Lester welcomed their son, Donald Bruce on the 1st January ’40, born at the Renmark Hospital.
Six months later, Lester enlisted on the 5th July ’40 and was allocated the number SX8213 in the 2/48th Battalion. This was the same day as Colin Jacka also enlisted as SX7996. He was based in the Riverland and made his name as a talented cricketer in the region and proved to be a good friend to so many of the locals. Lester and Colin’s fates were to be closely linked two years later.
Their early days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before they headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for their preliminary training. There, security became a major focus for the new soldiers with any possible move being a closely guarded secret. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan reports that ‘On 16th November Sergeants Hanley, Plummer, Paesch and Johnson went to outer Harbour, where the troopship had now arrived, reported to the ship’s quartermaster…and received instructions to act as deck sergeants ready to usher the battalion aboard. At eleven o’clock the next day, which was a hot one, the 2/48th marched out from Woodside, sweating under full dress, great coats, steel helmets, respirators and packs. For reasons known only to the embarking staff the railway station half a mile from the camp was not used. Instead, perhaps in the name of security, the battalion slogged it out along the four-and-a-half-mile road to Oakbank Station.’ Of course the locals quickly spread the word, lining the route cheering, waving flags and handkerchiefs, calling goodbye and wishing the men good luck.
The 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. The rigorous training that ensued in Cyrenaica preceded the 2/48th Battalion going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk.
Where possible, the local Murray Pioneer reported on the young men serving overseas. One was Driver Dick Smith of the A.A.S.C., Infantry who wrote a prophetic verse to the editor which was published in February ‘42, whilst also mentioning that ‘Lester Johnson, Max Walters, Wally Smith and Andy Kelly were all well at the time of writing and sent their best wishes to their Renmark friends.’
“Six months in this lousy desert
Eating biscuits and bully stew
Six months of blizzards and sand storms
No wonder I'm feeling blue.
There's Shorty, Nig and Bluey;
They argue the blinken point
As to why we're blinken well fighting
And what we want with this joint.
Of course we play cards in the day time,
When we can't get about on top
We play a game of poker
For a couple of piasters a pop.
We work all night carrying ammo
And come home tired as hell.
Then the fleas take up their positions,
And they dive-bomb us as well.
When we go to the front of a night time,
With grub for the lads in the line,
Jerry opens up with his typewriters;
Believe me they've an ugly whine.
Then he flings over some hardware
They sound nasty the way they flop
Sometimes he gets really vicious
And slings all but the kitchen clock.
But Jerry can do his darndest,
We can take it, and give it by h#ck;
And there will come a day when Adolf,
Will cop it fair in the neck.
Then we get talking about home,
And what we'll do on the boat,
And "Blue" hopes they've got a Boozer
That "codger's" a blooming soak
Now there's a rumour of leave on,
So we'll polish our tattered gear,
And eat the best of tucker,
And fill up on good old beer.
Then we'll forget all these hardships
And how we fought for this land
But we'll never forget our comrades
Whose graves are being covered with sand.”
Five months later, Lester was to become one of those comrades and Roger Jacka narrowly avoided also dying of wounds. Aged 26, Lester was killed in action in Egypt on the 17th July ’42.
In the constant, bitter fighting at Tel el Eisa, strategic points continued to change hands. On the 16th July The 2/48th had control of East 24 but the shelling then turned to their A Company. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan describes the great concentrations blotting out the whole company. ‘Towards dusk the next day nine carriers commanded by Roger Jacka, charged across the railway line and raced to the Tel el Eisa ridge. They churned up thick clouds of dust as they ploughed among the German posts, shooting up the whole area. It was a daring charge, right into the fire of anti-tank guns and machine guns. Only the elements of surprise and speed enabled it to come off. The enemy suffered heavy casualties from our fire. One of our men was slightly wounded during the fighting and then, as the carriers swung down the slopes on the way home and entered the last stretch, three carriers ploughed into our own minefield and were blown up, killing Sergeant Lester Johnson and Corporal J.K. Stone. Corporal Stopp was wounded.’
Mark Johnston in his recently published book Derrick VC in his own words gives Derrick’s diary entry for the 17th July. ‘Shelling is still our major source of annoyance & would certainly like to get the crews responsible. Our carriers were operating on our right front last night but do not know their intentions or objectives. They were to return past A Coys front and in on the left of C Coy. All lost direction and resulted in one being destroyed on C Coys mine field with Sgt Johnson killed another was stopped on my sections mine flied with Cpl Stopp receiving some minor wounds and shock, driver Stone was also killed at C. Coy.’
Ironically, it was that day that his friend, Sergeant Roger Jacka’s actions for the part he had played in the raid was awarded the Military Medal. Jacka had been wounded in the right leg which was fractured a 20mm anti-tank explosive shell and in danger of bleeding to death until he applied a rough tourniquet to the gaping wound. When interviewed in September ’43 Jacka did not want to talk about himself. Instead, he spoke proudly of the local men. “Then there was Sgt. Lester Johnson, of Renmark, and Pte. Braddock. I remember Jim Roberts. He was with a printing unit. Sgt. Tom Loveday was a good soldier and a champion fellow, Driver Max Wolter was a jolly good fellow too." He said, "All the Renmark boys serving were a credit to the town, but I will go further and say that all the River boys were fine soldiers and our battalion did its duty.” Deservedly high praise.
Back home, the Chronicle reported Lester’s death in August ’42 with SX7844-Pte. Donald W. Macdonald, SX8213 Sgt. Lester H. Johnson, 2/48th Renmark; SX8183 L/Sgt. Prime W. Willmott, inf., Adelaide.2/48th SX6582 Pte. John K. O'Leary, 2/48th Eudunda who died of his wounds. Also listed were five from the sister Battalion, the 2/43rd.
The Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record published an extensive tribute in the August ’42 edition. ‘Sgt Lester Johnson - On Tuesday the flag over the Renmark clubroom was again flown at half-mast, when it was known that Sergeant Lester Howard Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ike Johnson, of Chaffey, had made the supreme sacrifice in Egypt. The soldier enlisted on June 9, 1940, from Renmark. He was trained at Wayvllle and went overseas in November 1940. Before leaving he was promoted corporal, obtaining his two stripes for attention to duty at all times. He was a fine N.C.O. He served in Tobruk for eight months as sergeant having1 been promoted after his arrival aboard. After being relieved with his battalion from Tobruk he then went to Syria, where with other Australians he went through one of the worst winters known for years and was for some while in Palestine, and in that country. He also patrolled the -Syrian-Turkish frontier and was a sergeant in the headquarters company of his battalion. He was a Bren gunner, and as such took part in the recent battle against Rommel.
Lester Johnson was 27 years of age, and was killed two days before his 28th birthday, He married Miss Joan Loller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Loller. of Renmark. Sergeant Johnson leaves a little son aged two and a half years. The soldier was born in Renmark and grew up on his father's fruit block, going to school at Renmark North. Leaving school, he assisted his father and became a very capable worker among fruit. He was a splendid type of Australian and was well and favourably known to all in the Chaffey district.
Personal Tributes - Mr. M. Pethick, of Block B, said that the late Lester Johnson thoroughly understood block work. He was a very fine type of young man and had worked for him just previous to enlisting. Mr. C. H. Katekar (chairman of the Renmark Irrigation Trust) paid a high tribute to the sergeant and his father. He said that before the first world war Mr. Ike Johnson was sub-manager of Bruin's fruit block when he (Mr. Katekar) was manager. "Lester was born on Bruin's," continued Mr. Katekar, "and his father, When he returned from the War, took up his present property on Chaffey." Sergeant Johnson was a fine young man, and he had known him all his life. He had been deeply moved to learn he had been killed.’
In September, at the Renmark RSL meeting held two minutes' silence in honour of Lester Johnson, a son of one of their members, who had made the supreme sacrifice, together with Fred Rathjen a pilot. The Ode was then recited, and the loyal toast followed.
Initially Lester was buried in the field but in March ’45 soldiers’ remains were reburied in a formal designated site. He is now re-buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery in Plot A IV Row B Grave 13. His family chose the inscription ‘In God’s care’ for his headstone. Lester now rests with 26-year-old SX7844 Private Donald MacDonald and 24-year-old SX7268 Private Aurndell D Watts from his 2/48th Battalion as well as others from the 2/2nd, 2/3rd, 2/23rd 2/28th and 2/43rd plus an unknown soldier.
His family, friends and fellow soldiers from the 2/48th including Roger Jacka continued to remember Lester in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Tuesday 11 August 1942, JOHNSON, Sgt. Lester Howard.—On July 17, killed in action in Egypt, dearly beloved only son of Mr. and Mrs. I. Johnson, of Renmark, and loving brother of Ellie, aged 27 years. In God's care. JOHNSON, Sgt. Lester Howard.—On July 17, killed in action in Egypt, beloved husband of Joan (nee Loller) and loving father of Donald of Renmark, aged 27 years. Some day we’ll understand. JOHNSON Sgt Lester Howard – On July 17th killed in action in Egypt, loved brother-in-law of Gwen and Jack Hisgrove of Renmark, aged 27 years. Ever remembered.
Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record Thursday 10 September 1942, Return Thanks His Mother, Father. Wife, and Sister sincerely THANK all kind friends and relations for their kind expressions of sympathy in the loss of their loved one, Sgt. Lester JOHNSON, who was killed in action in Egypt. Will all please accept this as our personal expression of gratitude.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 15 July 1943, JOHNSON —Sacred to the memory of my dearly loved husband "Johnnie" and father of Donald, killed in action El Alamein. July 17th, 1942. In God's Care. Joan and Donald. JOHNSON—In honour of our nephew and cousin, Sgt. Lester Johnson who made the supreme sacrifice at El Alamein on July I7th, 1942. Ever remembered by Edith, Bob and family. JOHNSON (Sgt Lester)—In loving memory of our dearly loved son and brother Lester, who made the supreme, sacrifice on July 17 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. By Mother, Father and only sister Ellie.
Advertiser Saturday 17 July 1943, JOHNSON. Sgt. Lester.—Only dearly loved son of I. and D. Johnson, who gave his life July 17 1942. "Too dearly loved to be forgotten" by his sorrowing mother and father JOHNSON. —A proud and loving tribute to the memory of my beloved husband, Johnnie and father of Donald, killed In action July 17 1942. El Alamein. All he had and hoped for he gave.—Joan and Donald. JOHNSON. Lester. —ln grateful remembrance of a life given for others. Eric. AIF. and Phillis Dolling. JOHNSON. Sgt. Lester. —ln loving memory of Lester, who made the supreme sacrifice El Alamein July 17, 1942.—Ever remembered by uncle Bob, auntie Edie and family. Renmark. JOHNSON. —In memory of Sgt. Lester Howard Johnson, killed July 17 1942.— Ever remembered by G. and J. Hisgrove. JOHNSON. L. H-—ln loving memory of Johnnie, killed In action July 17. 1943 — Bruce. Annie. Edith, and Gwennie. JOHNSON. —In loving remembrance of Lester, killed in action July 17. 1942— Always remembered by Ellie and Fred.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 20 July 1944, JOHNSON-In loving memory of Sgt. Lester, who made the Supreme Sacrifice July 17th, 1942-Ever remembered by Mother, Father and Sister. JOHNSON, L. H-In memory of my dear husband "Johnnie" and father of Donald, killed in action El Alamein, July 17th, 1942. Your memory lives within our hearts. -Joan and Donald. JOHNSON, SGT. LESTER In memory of a pal who made the Supreme Sacrifice, El Alamein, July 17, 1942. -Always remembered by his pal Ned Flight, AIF N.G.
Advertiser Monday 17 July 1944, JOHNSON. —In loving memory of Lester, killed El Alamein, July 17, 1942.— Always remembered by Ellie and Fred. JOHNSON. —A tribute to the memory of Sgt. Lester, made the supreme sacrifice July 17, 1942.—Always remembered by Phillis and Eric (A.I.F.). JOHNSON, Sgt., STONE, Dvr.—In memory of my pals, Johnnie and Keith, killed in action, Egypt, July 17, 1942.— Ever remembered by Len Batty. JOHNSON, Sgt. L. H.—In memory of our loved son and brother, who made the supreme sacrifice July 17, 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten by his loving mother, father and only sister. JOHNSON, Sgt. Lester.—Memory of a pal, who made the supreme sacrifice, Tel El Eisa, July 17, 1942.—Always remembered by his pal Hedley Pratt.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 19 July 1945, JOHNSON, L. H., Sgt. - In memory of our dearly loved son and brother, killed in action July 17th, 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten by Mother, Father and only sister Ellie. JOHNSON, L. H. Sgt. - In loving memory of my husband ''Johnny" and father of Donald, killed in action El Alamein, July 17th, 1942. Forever in our thoughts. Joan and Donald.
Advertiser Thursday 19 July 1945, JOHNSON, Sgt. Lester, SX8213.—ln loving memory of my brother, killed in action. July 17, 1942. —Ever remembered by Ellie. and brother-in-law Fred (A.I-F.)
Murray Pioneer Thursday 18 July 1946, JOHNSON, Sgt. Lester — In ever loving memory of our dearly loved son and brother, who lost his life on July 17th. 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten by his loving mother, father and sister Ellie. JOHNSON, L. H—In proud and loving memory of our dear husband and daddy, Johnnie, killed in action at El Alamein, July 17th, 1942. We have you in our memory, God has you in His care. Always remembered by his loving wife and son Joan and Donald. JOHNSON, Lester — In loving memory of our brother, killed in action El Alamein. Ever remembered by Ellie, Fred and Helen.
Advertiser Wednesday 17 July 1946, JOHNSON (Sgt. Lester). ln loving memory of our beloved son. who gave his life July 17, 1942.—Too dearly loved to be forgotten by his loving father and mother.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 17 July 1947, JOHNSON, L. II-—In ever loving memory of our dearly loved only son Lester, who lost his life July 17, 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten by his mother and father.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 15 July 1948, JOHNSON, Sgt. Lester H—Killed El Alamein, 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. —By mother, father and sister.
Advertiser Saturday 17 July 1948, JOHNSON, Sgt. L. H.—ln memory of our beloved son and brother who lost his life July 17 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten.—By his mother, father and sister.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 21 July 1949, JOHNSON, L. H.—In memory of our dearly loved son and brother, who lost his life on July 17, 1942 Too dearly loved to be forgotten. By his mother, father and only sister Ellie.
Murray Pioneer Thursday 13 July 1950, JOHNSON, L.H. In memory of our beloved son, who gave his life on July 17, 1942. Too dearly loved to be forgotten -By his Mother, Father and Sister.

Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.