Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Robert (Bob) Frank Johnson
Robert was born in Angaston, SA, on the 17 November 1912, the eldest son in a family very much active in the local community and church. His father, Frank, had come from Bristol, England with a background passion for engines which developed into a love of automobiles, resulting in him becoming a pioneer of the early-day car. He was amongst the daring band which took a risk to pilot one of the primitive contrivances to London. He eventually moved to the Barossa where he became recognised as a leading engineer through his business partnership with J. McLeod in the establishment bearing their names in Angaston. Johnson Snr became president of the Angaston Bowling Club, a P.M. of Barossa Masonic Lodge, and was connected with numerous other institutions. Married in 1910 he and Lucy assisted in local activities including dances, the Angaston Show and Institution. Their three children, Robert (Bob), Molly, and Stephen (Steve) consequently followed in these footsteps, becoming actively involved in their local Angaston community.
Bob was quite a talented athlete at the combined Sunday School Picnic events where he was successful in the flat races and also High Jump in his over 11 age group where he cleared 4ft 5 inches (135 cm) as well as partnering in the wheelbarrow race. Based on Lord Baden Powell’s movement, Bob and his younger brother Steve were both also active in the Scouts, passing their tenderfoot exam to join an established patrol Bob continued this interest as he moved through the different levels of scouting. He was also a regular school attendee, including gaining a library scholarship in Grade VI.
Having successfully completed schooling, Bob took up a career in boot repairing, making this a successful career by the time he turned 21. That event was celebrated with family and friends. Two years later he helped his parents celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary, giving a speech on behalf of his siblings in honor of their parents’ influence.
While a hard and diligent worker, Bob also enjoyed his involvement as a regular in the Angaston Dance Club but also travelled to other towns. One late night returning from a Truro Dance, he was particularly fortunate to escape serious injury when, being one of five passengers, the car in which he was travelling rolled. The car tyre blew, causing the vehicle to snap a guard post before crashed through a five-wire fence breaking two posts, and continued into a stubble paddock, overturning twice and coming to rest on its side. Robert was flung through the car’s hood but escaped with extensive bruising.
Bob was also a sought-after MC for a range of events including a novel ‘Ugly Man Competition’ fundraiser for the Angaston Agriculture Horticulture & Flower Society funds which in ensuing years, he also was a candidate and winner of this ‘prestigious’ title. Bob was crowned with a fittingly grotesque head. That particular year, 1936 was heralded as ‘triumphant close of a drive that should eliminate the Society's £268 ($536) overdraft’. Extra funds were raised through competitions for goods donated to their chosen ‘Ugly Man’, with Bob’s ‘donations’ including a tea cosy, cigarettes, cake and camera – an extremely successful event, both socially and financially.
Bob was also active as a Brethren of the Barossa Masonic Lodge and attended many socials and dances in the Angaston Institute. The annual Procession was a time for locals to be both creative and almost foolhardy. Bob and his friend Ronald Zwar were reported as showing ‘remarkable skill in handling their tall cycles’ as the balanced the length of the procession.
Just two years later with Australia involved in WWII, Robert enlisted early in the conflict on the 24th November 1939. Bob had continued his involvement with scouting and by that time had been a leader Rover Mate for some time. The First Angaston Rover Crew farewelled him, prior to Bob going into camp. He was popular and active with the Rover Leader A. J. Osborne, on behalf of the Crew, presenting Bob with a handsome leather-fitted dressing case, and commenting on the sustained interest Bob had taken in the Crew since its establishment in 1935. More farewells followed including one coordinated by work colleague, Max Rich, from Angaston Footwear Repair Shop. Bob’s active participation in many community movements were a consistent mention in his farewells.
A huge Angaston Farewell was made to Bob and Frank Tamke, the first to enlist from the town. They had been allocated consecutive numbers, with Frank SX1121 and Robert being SX1122 (and being born just five days apart). Both young men, now aged 27 were presented with a gold propelling pencil engraved with the word "Angaston.'' The local Comforts Group presented each with a parcel and the Angaston Glee Club followed with a presentation of a silver cigarette case and life membership. Patriotic singing of the National Anthem and Song of Australia followed the formal presentation of the new soldiers to those present who were rightfully proud of “these two fine citizens who were going to do their duty” with the huge attendance giving some indication of the high esteem in which they were held. The local newspaper, Leader reported Cr Chinner referring to the “number of farewells during the Great War, and hoped the need would not arise for so many on this occasion. The district joined in wishing the guests good luck and a safe return.” Representatives from The Anglican Church presented a small cross to all members enlisting for service with the fervent wish “for an early peace, more lasting than that of 1918, and that God would protect the boys wherever they were”. Both men’s sporting backgrounds were acknowledged in the hope that involvement in sporting activities might prove useful in helping them to grin in the face of difficulties. Bob had been active in the Tennis Club, Badminton, Rifle Club, plus boundary umpire and sprigger for the Football Club.
In his usual manner, Bob responded, generously thanking his community, concluding with the promise that “when they got overseas, they would do their best.” A final farewell was at Bob and Frank’s previous Angaston school, where they were informed that the students “were already helping with knitting and collecting for funds to help the men at the front.” Both soldiers were assured they would be put on the honour roll with any others enlisting from Angaston.
By July, Bob’s younger brother, Steve had also enlisted with a group of friends. Family and the community anxiously awaited any news of those serving overseas. The first letter Bob wrote to his mother in July 1940 described the “glorious days and unequalled hospitality received by the troops at Capetown, when they were guests of citizens. Mrs Rita Brown (where Bob stayed) was at Gallipoli and saw four years as Sister in the last war.” A local signalman, Charlie Blenkiron reported that he had seen both Steve and Bob with the latter making a ring from the metal of a Junker plane, which Charlie then gave to Mrs Johnson when he was home on leave. Each time the Barossa ‘Boys’ met up overseas, there was much celebration and sharing of news. In fact, any reminder of home was treasured.
Conditions were soon to change with Bob being wounded at Tobruk in August 1941, Typical of the troops, Bob downplayed his injury, saying his wounds were “not serious. A shell landed near, he adds, and he got two pieces in his back and another two just above the elbow, as well as one in the index finger; none of them, however, are serious. He has been evacuated to base hospital for treatment”.
News of other local ‘boys’ was also shared as they kept in close contact while overseas. Bob reported that he had seen quite a lot of Pte. Stan. Morgan who “is still in the camp suffering from shellshock. He was blown up three times, but escaped wounding” and that “Pte. Horace Savage has also been in the camp for a while, but re-joined his unit several weeks ago.” Bob still wrote to express his thanks to those back home for their kind thoughts, adding that he was “now well again and ready for anything. He has left the convalescent camp in Palestine.” He was able to return home from the Middle East in April (but not quite in time for his brother, Stephen’s wedding) and again in December of 1942 where, again, Bob expressed his thanks to the Comfort Funds, on behalf of the boys on active service, for the good work they were doing. Similarly, he praised the local Leader newspaper for its role for those serving as it had it has reached him nearly all over the world and that it was eagerly looked forward to by "the boys." Bob also shared his experiences with the Angaston Boy Scout group and showed them some of his souvenirs.
While training in Queensland, Bob was again able to have leave in April 1944 and in March the following year before finally being discharged in 1945 after 6 years of service.
It was not surprising that a shared interest in music and dancing brought Bob and Quorn-born Heather Bell together. While nursing at the Angaston hospital, Heather celebrated her 21st birthday in ’46. It was a joyous occasion when she and Bob married at the Quorn Methodist Church on the 16th June, 1946.
The Angaston Community was honoured by a visit from the then Prime Minister, Chifley organised by the War Service Socials Committee. Bob returned to generously continue to serve his community as MC of the Diggers Ball and from 1947 as the first WWII President of the Angaston RSL, reciting the ode and laying a wreath on behalf of his sub-branch. He was also active in his support of the Gym Club and the local Christmas Choir where he was the director of the dance in the Institute was well as the Christmas Eve Carnival. His service with the local Scouts covered many practical requirements including the duty to report accurately any crime they had seen committed. To this end, Bob and the Troop Leader Graham Williams presented a "crime" and the Scouts later tested the accuracy of their observations in reporting the incident.
Bob retired as President of the RSL in 1948 but remained on the Committee which organised an RSL Reunion. He worked tirelessly on the Angaston Repatriation Committee in meeting the needs of district returned men, with the guarantee that 10per cent, of the local Trust homes would be available for ex-servicepeople. One interesting request from a drover for a kelpie dog, which he received. In the following month Bob sold tickets as well as preparing the floor for dancing at the Angaston Show Ball. In September, Bob was in charge of novelty dances and floor show for the Angaston Kindergarten followed in October when his MC skills were again in demand for the Race Night Ball, then in November Bob acted as judge for the wood chopping events, followed by coordinating a highly successful Returned Servicemen’s Day of competitions including for spouses and families.
The war had decimated workers to pick ripening fruit so Bob organised a working bee with volunteers from the R.S.L and Glee club to pick over 150 cases of pears in February 1949. The Ugly Man Competition Bob championed pre-war again became a popular means of raising funds for the Memorial Drive and appropriate plaques as volunteers helped construct the rough blue marble walls. If something needed doing in the community, Bob was there to coordinate, volunteer, create or be involved. Finally, Bob, Heather and their precious daughter, Vicky after several years of waiting, were finally granted a Trust house in 1951. Any worthy cause was fully supported by this young couple, including fundraising for the Adelaide Children’s Hospital where Bob acted as a goal umpire in an entertaining Married vs Bachelor football match encounter.
Bob added Secretary of the Angaston Rifle Club to his portfolio, also taking out a trophy for his skills at this activity, including the Hamley Spoon in 1954, then mixing this with being part of regular working bees to erect a flagpole and prepare the new shed for concreting. These were interspersed with MC duties for the Badminton Club Dance. Bob’s support of returned servicemen was unstinting. When Ken Barrett died early, Bob was one of the ex- Servicemen who acted as a casket bearer.
If there was a need in the community, Bob and Heather were ready volunteers. This was the measure of Bob’s life, generous, loyal service to his community and country.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th Battalion.