Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Aloysius Ignatius Johnson was born in 1894 and was raised in the Catholic faith. He had always liked horses and his occupation prior to enlisting in WW1 was a colt breaker (horse trainer).

Johnson enlisted at the age of 21 years and was assigned to the 3rd Light Horse Regiment. 

For his service in WWI, Johnson was awarded the 1914/15-star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Aloysius Ignatius Johnson is buried at Centennial Park Cemetery in Adelaide.

Aloysius (Lou) first enlisted for WW1 on the 19th of August 1914 at the Morphetville race course in S.A. He was part of the 3rd Light Horse regiment and was sent to Galipolli where he was wounded (shot by a Turkish sniper), and was lucky enough to survive. Lou returned to Australia on the hospital ship "Thermistocles". On his return home he obtained the rank of Corporal and spent time at the military camp set up at the Gawler oval in S.A.

After being discharged in 1916 Lou joined the Mounted Police and was posted at many different country towns around South Australia. He loved horses and spent most of his life in uniform whether that be military or police.

When duty called once more, Lou again enlisted in July 1941, where he obtained the rank of Sergeant. He did not leave Australian shores however, he did his part once again, to protect our country and its freedom. Lou was then discharged on the 30th of July 1946.

Lou died in Adelaide of natural causes on the 4th of August 1971. - Tony Johnson (grandson)

Contributed by Glenunga High School

Born on the 17th of June 1894 in Mintaro, South Australia. Johnson was raised in the catholic faith and soon enlisted in the army at the age of 21. Prior to enlisting, Johnson had grown a liking for horses and was employed as a Colt breaker/Horse trainer. (vwma, n.d.). Enlisting on the 19th of August 1914 at the Morphetville race course (South Australia), Johnson was assigned to the 3rd Light Horse regiment as of his liking for horses. Around six camps were constructed in a similar fashion around Australia and each provided a basic overview of the war as well as required training. (vwma, n.d.). Johnson soon left the camp on the 22nd of October 1914 following his subsequent training and behest of his regiment. He had now begun his first service to the country. (vwma, n.d.)

Embarking from Port Adelaide on the “HMAT 17 Port Lincoln” as the first convoy, Johnson was assigned service number 155, S2591 in preparation for his time in Gallipoli. (vwma, n.d.). It was here on the voyage that Johnson had observed a naval engagement that would soon be recorded in history books today. In summary from a memoir, “Everything had been well until rumours had spread that the “Emen” (“The second and final member of the Dresden class of light cruisers built for the Imperial German Navy” - Wikipedia, 2023) was approaching the ship. No item could be thrown into the ocean as information would be readily revealed and as such Johnson and the others were considerably cautious. Despite this, the “HMAS Sydney” streamed across the water and approached the “Emden” quite suddenly. Excitement filled the ship but the “HMAS Sydney” soon drifted away from sight. However, news came fast as after dinner, soldiers were alerted that the “HMAS Sydney” had disabled the “Emden” ashore on Cocos Island - assuring safe travel for the remainder of the trip and providing a singular joyous moment before the upcoming battles”. (vwma, n.d.). 

Before their arrival in Gallipoli, the Third Light Horse Regiment, bound for the Middle East - participated in the North African campaign in Egypt. (Sweeney, 2011). It was here Johnson was tasked with the defence of the Suez Canal - a crucial factor during WW1 that allowed: British ships to reach India, Australia, and New Zealand, safe transport in certain routes, trade between countries, and the quick deployment of troops/supplies to various parts of the world. (Iwm, n.d.). It was through this prior experience that Johnson had his first development of ANZAC qualities concerning war and sacrifice - gaining a slight insight into what Gallipoli may hold. Johnson and his regiment remained in Egypt until May 1915. Upon arrival in Gallipoli, the Third Light Horse Regiment as a subordinate of the ANZAC Mounted Division was tasked with a defensive role, and as such was in reserve when their sister regiments attacked as part of the “August Offensive”. As mounted troops, The Third Light Horse Regiments' use of horses was deemed unsuitable for the operation and as such the soldiers operated as infantry instead. (ALH Research, 2009).

Throughout the campaign, Johnson played a significant role alongside his black and white studded infantry in combatting the “Turks” forces. (vwma, n.d.). On May 14, 4:30 am, the

Ottoman forces launched an attack on the ANZAC positions while the regiment struggled to hold ground for about 2 hours. (Flood, n.d.) In an attempt to push the opposition back to sea, the Third Light Horse Regiment played a crucial role by defending a section of the ANZAC line known as "Pope's Hill". The Ottoman forces launched an assault on this position, but the Third Light Horse Regiment held its ground - inflicting large casualties but ultimately trading in return. Despite this, the regiment held ground for a few hours forcing the opposing forces to retire. The battle had caused significant casualties to both sides and as such in consultation with other lieutenants and Majors, the battle had been deemed a stalemate. (Flood, n.d.). However, it was during this battle Johnson had been spotted by a sniper and as such a bullet had become “a case of exit Johnny”. As written in a memoir, “While walking up "Shrapnel Gully" (an area near Pope’s Hill) I was spotted by a sniper and then it was a case of exit Johnny”. Johnson had defined the sensation as unpleasant, though lucky as one must “ought not growl” as the bullet was not fatal. Overall, while the battle ended in a stalemate with large casualties, Johnson had survived the event and defended an area (soon-to-be base) crucial to the ANZAC plan of the August Offensive  (Awm.gov, n.d.).

For his service in WWI, Johnson was awarded the 1914/15-star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was discharged on 11 Feb 1916 and joined the Mounted Police, being posted at numerous towns in South Australia. He previously loved horses and as such spent time in uniform whether that be military or police. “When duty called once more”, Lou enlisted in Wayville, South Australia, on July 1941 as part of the Homeland Defence - Militia and non-deployed forces where he obtained the rank of Sergeant. While his second enlistment did not require leaving Australian shores, Johnson had fulfilled his role once again, to protect our country and its freedom. Johnson was then finally discharged on the 30th of July 1946. From his discharge, Johnson wed Ruby Alice, though Johnson soon died of natural causes on the 4th of August 1971, aged 77 years.

Reference list:

(no date) Australian Light Horse Studies Centre. Available at:

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In the footsteps of the 1st Alh Regiment the August Offensive - Chauvel Foundation (2021) Chauvel Foundation - Inspiring service to the community. Available at: https://chauvelfoundation.org/home/anthology/contents/battles-events/in-the-footsteps-of-the-1st/ (Accessed: March 28, 2023).

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%20of%20the%20campaign. (Accessed: March 29, 2023).

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Trench conditions - rats, lice, and exhaustion (no date) The First World War. Available at: https://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/life-at-the-front/trench-conditions/rats-lice-and-exhaustion/ (Accessed: March 29, 2023).

Why was the suez crisis so important? (no date) Imperial War Museums. Available at: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/why-was-the-suez-crisis-so-important (Accessed: March 27, 2023).