William John Eric Johnson
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 29 Sep 1900 |
| Place of Birth | Boulder, Western Australia |
| Death | 29 Sep 1958, aged 58 |
| Place of Death | Mandurah, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 40 years, 1 month |
| Description | 5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; blue eyes ; brown - greying hair |
| Occupation | Tractor driver |
| Religion | Salvation Army |
| Address | Karragullen, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Susan Johnson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W235233 & WX13494 |
| Date of Enlistment | 4 Nov 1940 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 4th Training Battalion |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 9 Sep 1941 ‒ 23 Sep 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Queen Mary Fremantle to Suez |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | ?? May 1942 ‒ 26 May 1942 |
| Transport Details | SS Oranje Suez to Adelaide via Aden |
| Journey Dates | 2 Jun 1942 ‒ 5 Jun 1942 |
| Transport Details | SS Centaur Adelaide to Fremantle |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
During 1923 William married Susan Brown in Fremantle. They had three children: Mavis Susan Johnson (1924-2005); Olive Jean Johnson (1927-28); Ronald Eric Johnson (1933 - 2015). Electoral Roll entries: 1931 - 1937 Barton's Mill, mill hand
War Service
William was mobilised on 4 Nov 1940, and on 9 Dec 1940 he was posted to the 7th Workshop & Park Company's No 1 Section as a Sapper. On 6 Mar 1941 he was seen by the Camp Dressing Station and forwarded to the 110th Australian Base Hospital, before returning to duty on 15 Mar 1941. On 24 May 1941 he enlisted in the 2nd AIF at Claremont,, now living at 35 Manchester street, Victoria Park, and employed as a wood cutter.
On 27 May 1941 Bill was transferred to the 3rd Training Battalion at Northam, where on 6 Jun 1941 he was allocated to the Reinforcement draft for the 2/28th Infantry Battalion. On 7 Jul 1941 Bill was granted 7 days pre-embarkation leave, but soon after his return, on 4 Aug 1941 he was admitted to 38th Australian Camp Hospital with an earache. On 12 Aug 1941 he was released to the care of the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot who 2 days later released him back to his unit which was then the 4th Training Battalion. He was again granted pre-embarkation leave, from 5:00pm 21 Aug 1941 until midnight 27 Aug 1941.
On 9 Sep 1941 Bill embarked on HMT Queen Mary in Fremantle, a part of convoy 12A, disembarkling in Suez, Egypt on 23 Sep 1941 and joining the 24th Australian Infantry Training Battalion. Soon after on 16 Oct 1941 he was admitted to 2/1st Australian General Hospital with Rubella, before being released to the 2/1st Australian Convalescent Depot on 28 Oct 1941. On 8 Feb 1942 he was assessed by a Medical Board as "Temporarily Unfit for service for a period greater than 6 months". He was sent home, embarking on SS Oranje for Adelaide where he disembarked on 26 May 1942. He later boarded SS Centaur, disembarking in Fremantle on 5 Jun 1942, before proceeding on leave until 16 Jun 1942.
On 6 Jul 1942 Bill was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital in Hollywood for treatment for a Duodenal Ulcer, until he was discharged to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot on 23 Oct 1942. On 9 Nov 1942 he was assessed by a Medical Board which found that he was Permanently Unfit for military service on account of Dyspepsia and a Septic Ulcer. Following leave from 17 Nov - 17 Dec 1942, he was discharged on 17 Dec 1942.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1943 at 35 Manchester street, Victoria Park, Assistant Inspector; 1949 at 38 Lockyer avenue, Albany, linesman; 1954 Stanley street, Albany, linesman; 1958 at 37 Creedy street, Mandurah, linesman;
Notes
When Bill enlisted in the 2nd AIF he reduced his age by 3 years by changing his date of birth. At the time of his transfer to the AIF, Bill was with the 7th Workshop & Park Company.