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. Alfred was born in the 1st quarter of 1886 in Wymondham, his siblings were, Joseph Richard, a grocer’s assistant, born 1875 in Tydd St. Mary, Lincolnshire, Sarah Elizabeth, a home helper, born 1876, Mary Jane, a schoolgirl, born 1878, Arthur, a schoolboy, born 1880, John, a schoolboy, born 1882, William, a schoolboy, born 1884, Albert Edward, born 1888 and Louisa, born 1889, the latter seven siblings were all born in Wymondham, in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Wymondham. In March 1901 Alfred was absent from the family home at Main Street, Wymondham, residing there was his father, a grocer, draper and general store keeper, his mother and siblings, Mary, a mother’s domestic help, John, a grocer’s shop assistant, William, an architect’s articled clerk, Albert, Louisa and Harold, born in the 1st quarter of 1892 in Wymondham, Alfred was residing at Church Lane, Wymondham, this being the family home of his brother Joseph, now a grazier, and his wife Selina, born 1873 in Birkholme, Lincolnshire, and their daughter Dorothy, born 1896 in Coston, Leicestershire., also residing in his brothers family home was their brother, Arthur, a grocer’s assistant. In April 1911 Alfred was absent from the family home at Wymondham, residing there was his father a grocer and draper, his mother and siblings, Louisa and Harold, a grocer and draper, Alfred was employed as a railway clerk and was residing as a lodger at 244, Pitsmoor Road, Sheffield, Yorkshire. Alfred’s younger brother Harold fell in action in October 1917. Alfred was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 18 Sep-16 – A.20.a.2.2. 5.50am. Battalion took part in attack on strong German position known as the QUADRILATERAL in conjunction with 1st WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT on left and 1st KING’S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY on right. Battalion position from T.14.d.4.4 to T.20.b.5. Troops advanced under heavy Artillery creeping and stationary barrage. Our left flank being checked by Machine Guns, rifle Grenades were effectively used. Meanwhile our right flank (“A” and “B” Companies) had entered enemy’s trench and worked to Machine Gun position effectively disposing of position and capturing the Guns. The Battalion pushed on to a line through T.15 Central and consolidated. Patrols were pushed down the ravine and dug-outs effectively bombed. 106 prisoners and 6 Machine Guns were captured.
7.00am. The Battalions casualties were:- Killed, Captain C. M. HODGSON, Lieutenant A. MILNEX, 2nd Lieutenant F. CUTLER and 31 Other ranks. Wounded, Lieutenant G. STRINGFELLOW, 2nd Lieutenant’s W. D. ANDERSON, A. ROTHFIELD, A. WILD, A. M. LASCELLES and 161 Other ranks. Missing, 32 Other ranks.
On Friday October 20th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – WYMONDHAM. – OUR HEROES. It is with deep regret that we have to state Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, grocers and drapers, received the sad intelligence from the War Office that their fifth son, Pte. Fred Johnson, Durham Light Infantry, was killed on the 18th September. Prior to joining the army, deceased was employed on the Midland Railway, as clerk in the Goods department at Sheffield, and was 30 years of age. Very many sympathetic letters have been received from his many friends in Sheffield, he being dearly loved by all who knew him. News has also come to hand of the death of John Veasey, but nothing official has yet been received. Two sons of Mr. and Mrs Willett have been wounded, one is home on leave and is going on well. Mr. Robert Knott has been informed that all three of his sons who are serving at the front have been wounded, and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clarke have been notified that their son, Herbert, is wounded and lying in hospital at Fishponds, Bristol, with fractured leg and shrapnel in his foot.