Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Johnson a grocer and drapery store keeper, born 1852 in Wymondham, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Jane Johnson (nee Cooper, married in the 4th quarter of 1874 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1851 in Wymondham. Harold was born in the 1st quarter of 1892 in Wymondham, his siblings were, Mary Jane, a mother’s domestic help, born 1878, John, a grocer’s shop assistant, born 1882, William, an architect’s articled clerk, born 1884, Albert Edward, born 1888 and Louisa, born 1889, the latter five siblings were all born in Wymondham, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Wymondham. In April 1911 Harold was employed as a grocer and draper and was residing in the family home in Wymondham, together with his father, a grocer and draper, his mother and sister Louisa. Harold had the following older siblings, Alfred, born in the 1st quarter of 1886, in Wymondham, Joseph Richard, born 1875, in Tydd St. Mary, Lincolnshire, Sarah Elizabeth, born 1876 and Arthur, born 1880, the latter two siblings were both born in Wymondham. Harold’s older brother Alfred fell in action in September 1916. Harold was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-17 – HOUTHULST FOREST. Zero hour was 5.25am. We remained stationary 4th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS advanced about 100 yards. 1st Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS about 200 to 300 yards. The entire operation was a success. The enemy shelling was very heavy all the day through, and our front line particularly on the left was badly sniped. Lieutenant N. NEWALL was killed by a sniper. 2nd Lieutenant F. S. D. FRIPP was accidentally wounded, he jumped on to a bayonet. The rain and mud is just awful, it is beyond the powers of description.
On Friday October 26th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – WYMONDHAM. KILLED IN ACTION.- It is with regret we learn that on Sunday morning Mr Johnson, grocer and draper, received a letter informing him, that his son Private H. Johnson, was killed in action on October 12th when the Battalion attacked and successfully took their objective. A subsequent letter from the chaplain stated that Pte. Johnson was killed instantaneously by a shell while up in the trenches, and did not suffer any pain. He was buried on the field of battle in a soldier’s grave. Had deceased lived he would have been 26 years of age on the 5th November. It will be remembered Mr Johnson, had a son (Fred) killed in action on September 18th 1916, yet another (Jack) is wounded and prisoner of war.