Alan Chesher JOHNSON (Alan Cheshyre JANION)

Alan Chesher JOHNSON (Alan Cheshyre JANION)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4817), Alan Chesher (or Chester) Johnson was born at Liverpool, England. He gave his age as 33 years, his marital status as single, and his occupation as laborer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 6 ¾ inches tall, weight 151 lbs., with a fair complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service. He completed his medical on the 16^th October 1915 at Wellington (while the Coo-ees were in Wellington), and was attested at Dripstone on the 19^th October 1915 by Captain Nicholas.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was 50A Young Street, Redfern, Sydney, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as friend, A. Hunter, 50A Young Street, Redfern, Sydney, N.S.W. (Miss A. Hunter was the sister and NOK of William Emmerton Hunter, who also joined the Coo-ees at Wellington, and embarked on the same ship).

Private Johnson departed Sydney on the HMAT Star of England along with many of the Coo-ees on the 8^th March 1916. He arrived in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916. On the 19^th April 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

On the 2^nd June 1916 Private Johnson left Alexandria aboard the transport Kinfauns Castle bound for France, arriving at Marseille on the 8^th June 1916.

On the 23^rd July 1916 the Battalion was training in the vicinity of Berteacourt, France. Private Johnson was charged with being Absent From Parade at 9.00 am and 1.00 pm on the 22^nd July and Being Absent from Church Parade on the 23^rd July 1916. He was awarded 7 days Field Punishment number two.

On the 14^th October 1916 the Battalion was resting at La Clyette, France, after being relieved from the front line. On this day Private Johnson was charged with being Absent Without Leave from 9.15 pm on the 10^th October to 4.00 pm on the 11^th October and of being Drunk and Urinating in Troop Quarters. He was awarded 7 days Field Punishment number two and forfeiture of eight days pay.

On the 30^th December 1916 when the Battalion was training at Flesselles, France, Private Johnson was evacuated to the 8^th Australian Field Ambulance with sore feet, possibly mild trench foot. He returned to the Battalion on the 18^th January 1917 whilst it was at Mametz (near Pozieres), France.

On the 7^th June 1917 the 45^th Battalion was involved in an attack in the vicinity of the Messines Ridge, Belgium. Private Johnson was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of Messines.

Private Johnson has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate at Ypres, Belgium.

A letter in his service record dated 3^rd December 1920 addressed to his mother Mrs. A. I. Janion, James Bay Hotel, Government Street, Victoria, B.C. in Canada acknowledges receipt of her statutory declaration (also in the file) advising his last name of Johnson which he enlisted under to be an assumed name, and states that the ‘records have been amended to read – “Stated to be JANION Alan Cheshyre.”