Arthur (Roy) Johnson

  General Notes:

Inquest held 15 Sep 1921 - Suicide gunshot.

Roy enlisted in World War 1 at fourteen years of age and was gassed in the trenches. This resulted in him having epileptic seizures when he returned from the war. He fell deeply in love with a girl but felt that he couldn't inflict himself upon her with the state of his health so he committed suicide.

First World War Embarkation Roll - Arthur Roy Johnson
Arthur Roy Johnson
Service number: 3325
Rank: Private
Roll title: 39 Infantry Battalion - 7 and 8 Reinforcements (February 1917 - February 1918)
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Date of embarkation: 2 February 1918
Place of embarkation: Sydney
Ship embarked on: HMAT Wiltshire
Ship number: A18

Arthur Roy Johnson enlisted in the Australian Imperial Army on the 24/12/1917. He put down his age of birth as 18 and 11 months, his birth date as 26th December 1898 and his birthplace as Grimsby, Yorkshire, England, his occupation as labourer. Next of kin was his brother Horace Oswald Johnson, 29 Station Street, Camberwell and his parents as deceased. His permanent address in Australia was C/o Mr. Marr, Tatura, Victoria.
The Certificate of Medical Examination describes Arthur as: - Age - 18 years and 11 months, Height - 5 feet 6 and three quarter inches, Weight - 118 pounds, Chest measurement - 30/33 inches, Complexion - Fresh, Eyes - Blue, Hair - Brown and Religious Denomination - Church of England. Distinctive Marks - Vaccs. 3 left arm, Scar on left instep near toes. Scar on right foot.
Apparently his Medical Report went missing and he had another when the ship reached the Suez and this one has his distinctive Marks as: - Scar left foot. Big toe right foot missing. Little toe (both feet slightly hammered.
Arthur spent the first month training at the Recruit Depot, Broadmeadows, Victoria and embarked at Sydney, N.S.W. per H.M.A.T. A18 "Wiltshire" on 2/2/1918. He disembarked at Southampton on 20/4/1918. He committed an offence, Suez (A18) 19/3/1918 - A.W.L. pass. Award - 7 days C.B. with forfeiture of 10 days pay.
Arthur proceeded overseas to France on 18/7/1918. He returned to Australia per "Valencia" from England on 20/7/1919, and was discharged on 4/10/1919.
In amongst the records was a note stating that Arthur had made an application for benefits under Repatriation Act, which would have been impossible as he was dead. Perhaps there was a bit of dishonesty going on and someone was claiming things they shouldn't have.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Death Certificate Number: (11062).