Birth & early life
Born at Maidstone, Kent.
Enlistment
Enlisted into the 4th Light Dragoons at Maidstone Cavalry Depot on the 27th of March 1837, “By Special Authority”. Regimental number No. 869.
Age: 13.
Height: 4’ 11.” His trade was recorded as "None".
Service, discharge & pension
From Pte. to Tptr. 24th of May 1837.
Removed to Pte. (no reason given) on the 2nd of January 1838.
Attained the age of 15 years and on to “Man’s pay” on the 18th of March 1839.
(His pay as a Trumpeter was 1/7d. per day, reduced to 10d. as a “Boy” and to 1/ 3d as a Man.)
From Pte. to Tptr. 12th of July 1839:
“Absent without leave” from the 5-7 of March 1841, tried by a Regtl, Court martial on the 9th and sentenced to solitary confinement until the 18th, but did not forfeit his rank.
Joined the regiment at Canterbury on the 1st of April 1842, following its return from India.
Transferred (as a Pte.) to the 13th Light Dragoons at Manchester on the 1st of September 1846.
From Private to Corporal: 1st of February 1848.
Corporal to Sergeant: 25th of March 1853.
At Scutari General Hospital from the 16th of September 1854 and sent to rejoin the regiment on the 3rd of October.
Promoted to Regimental Sgt. Major on the 5th of November 1854.
Gazetted as Cornet on the 27th of November 1857.
To Lieutenant and Adjutant. 30th of May 1860.
He corroborated Lord Cardigan’s account in an affidavit which he made on the 15th of April 1863 relating to the law-suit instigated by the latter against Somerset - Calthorpe and in which he said;-
3/ I passed however with some of the second line through the Guns and on approaching the Enemy’s Cavalry which I believe was drawn up some little distance in rear of the battery I and a man named John Keeley found ourselves within a few yards of Lord Cardigan who was also in rear of the Battery and surrounded by and engaged in defending himself against four or five Cossack Lancers, Both Keeley and myself rushed to his Lordship’s assistance, but my horse on the moment received a severe wound which completely disabled him (and from which injuries he afterwards died) and I believe the man Keely had his horse shot under him.
4/ I then saw Lord Cardigan disengage himself from the Cossacks and ride away apparently unhurt, but one of the Cossacks then made a right rear point at him with his lance which I then believed had passed through his Lordship’s body. I then retreated towards the Hill as rapidly as I could and after a few moments I came up with some of Lord Lucan’s staff who were saying that Lord Cardigan was killed. Someone present contradicted it, which contradiction I then confirmed by telling them that I had just seen his Lordship’s narrow escape and safety.
Captain, (and Instructor of Musketry.) 9th of May 1866.
Was in command of the Regtl. Troop at the Canterbury Cavalry Depot whilst the regiment was in Canada from 1866 to 1869.
Retired by the sale of his commission, in the Honorary rank of Major, on the 18th of November 1869.
Appointed Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 2nd West Yorkshire Yeomanry at Wakefield on the 29th of November 1869.
Appointed Temporary Captain. 25th of February 1874.
Retired (in the Honorary rank of Major) and on to half-pay. 21st of February 1880.
Medals & commemorations
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman, Sebastopol and the Turkish medal.
Awarded the French Legion of Honour, 5th Class.
Member of the Balaclava Commemoration Society in 1879.
Present at the Officer's Balaclava Dinner in 1897.
On severing his connection with the 2nd West Yorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry by the operation of the age limit, the members and ex-members made him a presentation, and also to Mrs. Johnson. This took place at the Royal Hotel at Scarborough following a luncheon, in 1881 and the following address was read:
"The members and ex-members of the 2nd West Yorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry have heard with regret that the time has now come when your connection with the regiment is to be severed. We feel sure that when you took the position of Adjutant you fully realised the high aims of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Edwards, C.B., and his officers, namely, that no efforts be spared to maintain the regiment in a high position in her Majesty's Yeomanry forces. That you have ably seconded our gallant chief is shown not only by the several reports of Her Majesty's Inspecting Officers, but also to the flattering "econiums" paid to the regiment by officers of high rank. Whilst acknowledging your professional abilities we would also like to bring to mind the genial good-fellowship which has been a marked characteristic of your intercourse with us at all times. We ask you to accept this tribute of our regard, also the accompanying gold watch and chain and that you will on our behalf present the diamond ring to your wife." The non-commissioned officers and men present at that gathering at the Hotel numbered between 30 and 40, being a special party mustered from Bradford, Halifax and Huddersfield.
A Confidential Memo from the Horse Guards dated the 31st of December 1855, stated that "It is intended to distribute a certain number of Decorations of the French Legion of Honour to Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the Cavalry Regiments who have been proposed as the most deserving, of the Fifth Class. The Memo ended with the request that seven further names of N.C.O's or Privates as considered most deserving be transmitted as soon as possible...") In answer to this the Commanding Officer of the regiment sent the following;-
13th Light Dragoons Orderly Room, 29th December 1855.
Sir, - I have the honour to state for the information of the Brigadier Genl. Commg. that Regtl Sergt Major Thos. George Johnson 13th L. Drgs. embarked with his regiment 12th of May 1854, was present with it during the whole of the campaign in Bulgaria including the Reconnaissance under the Earl of Cardigan K.C.B, was present in the Crimea with his Regt from the beginning of Oct. '54 to the beginning of Decr 1855, was present at the Charge of Balaclava 25th Octr 1854, Horse severely wounded, Battle of Inkerman 5th November 1854. the Battle of the Tchernya (The Regiment was under fire) and the Expedition to Eupatoria, has never been on the sick report or absent from any duty except the battle of the Alma, caused by an accident on board ship.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Yr Obt Humble Servant,
Henry Holden
Major, 13th Lt Dgns.
(Lummis and Wynn do not credit him with this, but he is shown as such in "British War Medals" by Thomas Carter.) The citation for this stated: Served during the Eastern campaign, including the reconnaissance on the Danube under the Earl of Cardigan, battles of Balaclava and Inkerman, Siege of Sebastopol and the Expedition to Eupatoria.
(In Kingslake's "History of the Crimean War", he is quoted as saying, "As to the opinion that we should have reformed; why, Sir, there were none to re-form had it been possible. We turned out 112 of all ranks and lost 84 horses. In fact, only ten of us assembled on the spot from which we had charged. We had 26 men wounded, 13 taken prisoner and 12 killed, consequently all the Generals in the Crimea would have been puzzled how to re-form us".)
The 1881 Census Returns show him as living in Cromwell Cottage, off Elland Road, Southowram, in the parish of St. Anne’s, being aged 57 years, born in Maidstone, Kent and a Major (and Adjutant) in the West Yorkshire Yeomanry, and his wife, Ellen, aged 46 and born in Manchester. Two domestic servants were kept, a general servant and a cook.
Major Johnson settled down at Scarborough as manager of the Royal Hotel, a position he held successfully for a number of years. He afterwards left Scarborough, but soon returned, and had altogether resided in the Borough a good number of years. He was of a very unassuming disposition, and although not one who took part in any local affairs, he had many friends and was held in the greatest respect.
In February of 1899 he wrote a letter from “Aberfoyle “ Highfield Road, Portswood, Southampton, but it is not known when he left, or returned, to Scarborough.
Death & burial
Extract from the "United Services Gazette" for the 31st of May 1908:
“Major Thomas George Johnson died at York Lodge, South Cliff, Scarborough, Yorkshire, on the 24th of May, aged 84 years. On retiring from the Army he had succeeded his brother as Adjutant of the 2nd West Yorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry, the officers of that Corps making him a very handsome present on his own retirement. He served with his regiment (the 13th Light Dragoons) and held the Crimean medal with the clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. He was also a Knight of the Legion of Honour.“
Extract from the "Scarborough Mercury" for the 29th of May 1908:
“Death of Major Johnson. - Local Balaclava Veteran -The death took place on Sunday at his residence, York Lodge, of Major Thomas George Johnson, late of the 13th Hussars and the 2nd West Yorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry. Major Johnson had acquired the ripe old age of 84 years, saw much active service during his connection with the Army and underwent many of the hardships incidental to campaigning half-a-century ago, when transport, hospital and other organisations for the comfort of a soldier were much less highly developed than they are at the present time.
Major Johnson served during the whole of the Crimean War, as Hart's "Army List" for 1867 referring to the 13th Hussars testifies: He was in the reconnaissance of the Danube under Lord Cardigan and was through the historic battles of Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol. At Balaclava his horse was severely wounded under him. Major Johnson was also with the Expedition to Eupatoria under General A’llonville. He was the holder of the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, the Turkish War medal, the French War Medal with the inscription "For valour and discipline," and a Knight of the Legion of Honour, From the 13th Hussars he went as Adjutant to the 2nd West York's Yeomanry Cavalry, under which his regiment reached a high standard of merit, borne out by the testimony of Major-General Cameron, who said, "they were the best and fittest of any Yeomanry Cavalry he had ever seen".
Funeral at Scarborough: The funeral took place at Scarborough Cemetery on the 27th. The cortege left the home of the deceased shortly before two o'clock and proceeded to Holy Trinity Church, where a service was held, the officiating clergy being the Revd. C.W.A. Clark, vicar of Holy Trinity and the Revd. H. Merry weather, vicar of St. Matthews. The hymns sung at the service were "Now the labourer's task is o'er," and "Peace, perfect peace", followed by the 39th Psalm. At the conclusion of the service the Dead March in "Saul" was played on the organ. Then follows a list of mourners and wreath-senders... The coffin was of plain un-polished oak with brass mountings, and bore the inscription: "Thomas George Johnson, died May 24th 1908, aged 84 years"."
The records of the Dean Road Cemetery at Scarborough show that he was interred there in Grave-space No. 52 South Terrace Alcove, the plot being purchased (as a vault) on July 10th 1883 a cost of £5/5/0. There is a rustic stone cross erected over the double grave, (an Ellen Johnson was interred there in 1883.) The inscription on the stone states that she was the wife of Thomas G. Johnson and reference is made to the fact that he had served in the 13th Hussars.The full inscription on his gravestone reads: "In memoriam of Ellen, wife of Major Thomas G. Johnson, late Captain 13th Hussars, who died June 5th 1883, aged 48 years. Also of the above Thomas G. Johnson, who died May 24th 1908, aged 84 years".
EJB: His newspaper obituary report refers to a Mrs Johnson (widow) and a Miss Johnson (daughter) as being present at his funeral, so he had obviously been twice married.
Further information
Next of kin, (in 1854.) Mother, Elizabeth Johnson. Living in County Terrace, Maidstone, Kent.
(The Census Return of 1861 shows Elizabeth Mary Johnson, aged 70 years, born at Aylesford, Kent, a Widow and former occupation of a Schoolmistress, living at No 1 County Terrace, off Boxley Road, Maidstone, as one of two lodgers (Boarders). The Head of Household was an Elizabeth Wood, also a Widow, and a Grocer. Elizabeth Johnson was not living there in either 1851 or 1871, although Elizabeth Wood was, her greater family also living there in 1871,) He sent money from the Crimea in 1855 to his mother, when she was living c/o of Mrs Wood, Maidstone, Kent.
He wrote a letter to Lord Cardigan following the abolition of the post of Musketry-Instructor which he had held in the regiment, and due to which his pay had been cut by £50 a year, and he "approached Lord Cardigan with extreme delicacy, pointing out that for one with nothing but his pay to support himself in a cavalry regiment, this was a most serious loss, and under the circumstances I am obliged to ask that your Lordship may use his powerful influence with such of your Lordship's friends who may be in command of Yeomanry Cavalry regiments so that I might obtain the Adjutancy of one when a vacancy occurs.".
That Cardigan's influence could be successfully applied came when a grateful Johnson wrote a few weeks after that "it was universally acknowledged that when a soldier asks for his Lordship's assistance it is seldom in vain, especially to one who had followed, and shared, your Lordships's dangers on the memorable 25th of October 1854.".
In March of 2000 his great-great niece presented a photograph of him in the uniform of the WestYorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry to be placed in the reception area of the Royal Hotel and a report of this appeared in a local newspaper of the time - with the usual newspaper article errors - and a request for any further information as to when he was actually at the hotel.
The "Army List" shows his brother as John William Johnson, late 15th Hussars (dating from the 20th of July 1854). He retired in the Hon. rank of Major on the 5th of January 1870.
Boy John William Johnson was also born at Maidstone, Kent, and had originally enlisted into the 13th Hussars at the Cavalry Depot, Maidstone, on the 3rd of November 1821 at the age of 13. He was 4’ 5” in height and had “no trade”. Attained the age of 15 years and on to “Mans Pay” on the 25th of August 1823. From Private to Corporal: 25th of November 1825, Removed to Pte, (no reason shown) 2nd of March 1829, to Cpl, 6th of April 1829, Removed to Pte, (again no reason shown) 3rd of February 1830, To Cpl, again on the 25th of April 1830 and transferred to the Cavalry Depot at Maidstone as Schoolmaster Sgt. on the 31st of July 1830 in place of his father, John Thomas Johnson, who had gone to the 4th Light Dragoons. He next appears in the rolls of the 16th Lancers as being transferred to it by Horse Guards Authority on the 16th of January 1833 as a Duty Sgt. with the Regtl. number of No, 667, but to remain at the Maidstone Depot. He was often in hospital and was in Fort Pitt Military Hospital when, on the 3rd of November 1834 he transferred (as a Pte.) to the 15th Light Dragoons, (again by Horse Guards Authority) with the Regtl. number of 450. Promoted to Cpl. on the 5th of April 1835, when at Dublin, much of the time, before being discharged by purchase at Glasgow, (paying £15) on the 16th of September 1838, again being spent in hospital. The muster roll for the period besides confirming his enlistment and place of birth, but unusually for the period, shows his next of kin as being “Father, John Johnson, Maidstone, Kent.”. What further service he later had to warrant his being commissioned and becoming Adjutant of the West Yorkshire Yeomanry cannot yet be found. it can only be surmised that he may have first become a non-commissioned officer in that regiment and promoted from it. something which is borne out by the comment in the Regtl. History that he had been in the regiment since its inception in 1844, when its first Commanding Officer was George Pollard who was gazetted on the 19th of June 1844.
(The “London Gazette” of July 25th 1854, however, shows;-
Commission signed by the Lord Lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire and of the City and County of the City of York.
2nd West Yorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry. - Sgt. Major John William Johnson to be Adjutant, (Dated the 20th July 1854.)
According to family research, the 1871 Census Return shows him as living at The New Assembly Rooms in Harrison Road, Halifax, aged 42 years, born in Maidstone, Kent, and the Adjutant of the West Yorks Yeomanry and Keeper of the New Assembly Rooms, his wife, Diana, aged 49 and born in Leeds, a daughter, Margaret, aged 23 and born in Leeds, a son, William, aged 20, born in Leeds, and a Woollen Merchant’s Clerk and two grand-children, born in 1843 and 1846 respectively, named Catlow. This would indicate that he was married circa 1827, at the age of 20, and would thus have been “without permission.”
The Census Returns for 1881 show his wife as still living at the same address in Halifax with her daughter, but for some unknown reason John William was living in a Guest House in Hove, Sussex.
Further family research at Maidstone through the Internet shows an abbreviated portion of the baptismal records for All Saints parish in Maidstone, from November of 1814 to June of 1821. The first recorded (baptised 2nd of November of 1814) is a daughter, Selina Mary Anne, of John Thomas and Elizabeth Mary Johnson of Maidstone, the father being a Clerk to the Depot, the second baptism on the 30th of March of 1817 of Charles James, of Jno. Thomas and Elizabeth, abode Maidstone, Father as Clerk, P. Office, (this could well be Pensions Office) thirdly, Elizabeth Mary, of John Thomas and Elizabeth, abode Maidstone, father as a bookkeeper, baptised 2nd of April 1819 and lastly, in June of 1821, of Francis, of John Thomas and Elizabeth Mary, abode, Maidstone, and an accountant. )
This information fits in well with what was family belief and later confirmed by John T. Johnson’s later known movements.
(It was believed that there were 11 children in all in John Thomas Johnson's family, but only five are noted from the Internet source. Now, April 2000, are known, Eliza, baptised 2nd of April 1806, John William (who was known of, but not his baptismal date) who was baptised on the 31st of August 1808, William Henry, baptised on the 8th of November 1810, Maria, baptised, 14th of October 1812, Joseph Edward, baptised 19th of March 1826 and Sarah Anne, baptised on the 15th of February 1829.)
John Thomas Johnson, was born at Portlarlington, Leitrim, Ireland, and had enlisted into the Army Reserve (a term not encountered before and could mean that he had seen previous military service but none is recorded, neither is any place of enlistment shown) on the 5th of August 1803 at the age of 36 years and a clerk by trade. He transferred to the 8th Hussars as a Pte. on the 19th of February 1806, to Sgt. on the 6th of March 1806 and transferred to the Cavalry Depot Staff (as a Sgt. Clerk) on the 19th of March 1807. He was discharged on the 8th of October 1817, his rank then being shown as a Staff Sgt. in the Department of Accomptabilty. No reason for this is shown, neither did he receive six months pay as gratuity as was usual, only a payment of £1/8/7d being made for his travelling expenses. An answer for his leaving the Army however, could be in that he had been in receipt of 5/- per diem as pay, and another Sgt. in the same position receiving 4/1d, (this sum included 6d per day in lieu of clothing allowance (sic) and more than the Depot Sgt. Major who only got 3/6d) but on the 25th of August 1817 a letter from the Secretary of State, No. 4,200, ordered the reduction of the pay of both to 2/8 per diem., so was it because of this. Re-enlisting again into the Cavalry Depot Staff as a Pte. aged 45 years, on the 5th of March 1822 (Per War Office order dated the 25th of February 1822.) he was again a Sgt. (Clerk) from the 24th of December 1822, but from the 10th of June 1823 he was shown in the musters as a “Schoolmaster Sgt”, his pay being at the rate of 2/2d per day. He transferred to the 4th Light Dragoons on the 31st of July 1830 as a Duty Sgt., No. 664, but remained at the Depot, was a Hospital Sgt. in that regiment from the 1st of July 1833 until the 31st of July 1836 when he became Pay Sgt. to his troop and was finally discharged from the Maidstone Cavalry Depot, still in that position, on the 19th of May 1837. At this time he was 70 years of age, 5’ 2” in height, with grey hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion. All of his service had been passed in England and the Surgeon’s report stated that “This is a case of disability arising from incontinence of urine, age, and general infirmity and in no way caused by any misconduct on his part. The Regtl. Board is of the opinion that his conduct throughout his long service has been distinguished by his sobriety and good conduct...” His service amounted to a total of 29 years and 57 days for pensionable purposes (only half of his first period of service counting towards this) and was granted a pension of 2/- per day. (His service details from the 5th of August 1803 to the 18th of February 1806 were qualified by “No documents to prove the above service not forthcoming, this has been entered on his parole evidence,”) Intending to live in the London Pension District, but the Pension Books show him as dying at Maidstone on the 11th of August 1848. (Under the word Maidstone is Chatham, in red ink. At this time there was no District Pensions Office at Maidstone, so it must be presumed that, something common to all recorded as being discharged to Maidstone, Chatham was the actual District.) The Family History Records Centre shows him as dying in the Maidstone District during the July September quarter of 1848. No age at death is shown, this being before it was recorded as such,
(In 1803 the Additional Forces Act created a new Army of Reserve, distinct from the militia but. like it, raised by locally-administered ballot. However, battalions in the Army of Reserve were affiliated to regular regiments in the hope that these reservists would be attracted by the bounty if they transferred to the regulars. This smacked of conscription, the scheme was bitterly unpopular and the first ballot raised only 45,492 men from a target of 50,000, and no fewer than 41,198 were "substitutes" Of these 5,651 deserted in the first ten months (thus rendering themselves liable to compulsory transfer into the regular army if apprehended) and 17,307 joined the regulars. Thereafter the scheme was quietly shelved, and the remaining men were formed into garrison battalions, most of which served in Ireland. It would appear from this that it was from this source he had transferred to the regular army.)
In 1998 a family, descendant from a second brother, Charles James, (who can be identified as the Charles James Johnson baptised at All Saints Church, Maidstone, on the 30th of March 1817) during a visit to the 13/18th Light Dragoons Museum at Cannon Hall, saw a photograph in the Crimean Gallery there which was a copy of a picture they possessed and termed by them, “The Czar”. Up till then they had known nothing positive of Thomas George and it was a letter written by a deceased member of the family which said that “John William rode in the Charge and had horses shot under him and that he was buried at Scarborough...”, by the picture they possessed thinking it was of the latter, the possession by another branch of the family of a silver snuff-box “Presented to Captain and Adjutant J. W. Johnson by the Non-commissioned officers and Privates of K Troop of the Yorkshire Hussars as a token of respect on his leaving the Corps. September 1843.“ (Sic), which had given them all their ideas as to “who was who.” It was known that the brothers were all born at Maidstone, where their father was believed to have been connected with the Depot and may himself have been in the army. Their interest being aroused, the checking of any Census Returns, Thomas George’s later position at the Royal Hotel at Scarborough following his retirement, newspaper obituary reports and the finding of his gravestone in the local Cemetery followed. They having no knowledge of Thomas George’s service career in the 13th LD, a copy of this record was sent to them.
The Charles James Johnson, (identified as the Charles James Johnson baptised at All Saints Church, Maidstone, on the 30th of March 1817) and ancestor of the presently known of greater family, is also said to have been in the Army and later to have served in a Yeomanry Cavalry unit, thought to be the Denbigh Yeomanry, a 1874 Directory of Rockside, Llangollen, having the initials DYC by his name and two existing marriage certificates for his daughter Selina, in 1879 (at the Parish Church of Ruabon, Denbigh and of Haidee Jane in 1885 at the Parish Church of Chirk, Denbigh) show him as a Sgt. Major and a Soldier. The 1881 Census Return for Chirk, however, shows his widow, aged 54 and born at Carmarthen, Wales, as living there with her son, Sidney, aged 23, born in Ireland and employed on the railway staff (In 1883 he was the Station Master at Chirk and by 1897 he was the Station Master at Windsor and later a GWR Superintendent. Said to have been Queen Victoria’s favourite Station Master. At the Royalty and Empire Exhition set up at Windsor Railway Station by Madame Tassaud’s in April of 1984 to commemorate the 1897 Jubilee, waxworks figures in period costume of the various royal figures present (and which included Sydney Johnson) were assembled in a replica of the vestibule of the Day Saloon from the Royal Train) a daughter, Haidee J. and born at Dorchester, Dorset, so it must be presumed that the second marriage certificate should have shown him as “Deceased” by then. Seven children were known to have been born to him and his wife, S. L. (nee William’s) in places as far apart as The Curragh in Ireland and Dorchester in Devon.
From research into these few scant details it is now known that;-
Boy James Charles Johnson. (He was enlisted as this, and signed his name as such on discharge, but his names are reversed on several occasions later.)
Born at Maidstone, enlisted into the 13th Light Dragoons as No. 636 on the 2nd of March 1831. (At the time of his discharge this was given as the 20th of February 1831. )
Aged 14, and 5’ 1’ in height, (though he was 5’ 7” on discharge) with brown hair, grey eyes, and a fresh complexion. He had no trade.
Attained the age of 15 years and on to “Man’s Pay” on the 6th of May 1832.
Appointed to Trumpeter on the 30th of November 1833 he resigned as this on the 21st of July 1841, following the reduction of the regiment to Home Establishment on its return from India.
Appointed Cpl. on the 4th of November 1841, Sgt. on the 27th of January 1846, he was promoted to Troop Sgt. Major on the 27th of August 1852.
Discharged from Edinburgh on the 17th of December 1859 (Later given as the 3rd of 1860), as “Being unfit for further service ”, the Medical Report stating;- This man has 28 years service, of which four were Boy's service. he is now recommended for discharge on being incapacitated by age from further service. His disability has not been caused his vice or his misconduct.
Served 24 years 294 days to count towards pension, this being granted at the rate of 2/2d. per day.
Age: 42 years 10 months. Intending to live at Llangollen, Wales.
Conduct and character. - Has been very good, and that he was in possession of one G.C badge when promoted to Sgt. He has also received the medal for Long Service and Good Conduct with a gratuity of £15. (This was on the 24th of May 1858) he has never been tried by Court-martial nor has his name ever appeared in the Regimental Defaulter’s Book.
He was living in the Chester Pension District from discharge but was in the No, 1 Liverpool District from the 1st of April 1876.
Liason with the Clydd Family Research Society shows that he was buried in Llangollen,
Although a number of recruits with the surname of Johnson enlisted at the Maidstone Cavalry Barracks during the 1820s and 30s, because of a similarity of Christian names, only a Francis Johnson, (who can be identified with the Francis Johnson baptised in All Saint’s church at Maidstone on the 1st of June 1821) can yet be considered as belonging to this particular family.
Francis Johnson enlisted into the 4th Light Dragoons by “Special Authority” at the Maidstone Cavalry Depot on the 22nd of September 1836 at the age of 15. He was 4’ 9” in height and had no trade. His Regtl, number was later to be 853. Appointed Trumpeter on the 1st of April 1837, on the 1st of April 1840 he transferred (as a Trumpeter) to the 15th Light Dragoons as No. 1402. Reduced to Pte. (no reason shown) on the 20th of May 1844. Embarked on the 28th of May 1847 (one of a draft of 39 N.C.O’s and men) and joined the regiment at Bangalore, India, on the 9th of September 1847. On the return of this regiment to England he transferred to the 12th Lancers at Bangalore on the 1st of January 1854 as No. 1458. Promoted to Trumpet Major on the 29th of August 1854 he embarked from Bombay with the regiment aboard the “Pollinger” on the 22nd of February 1855 for the Crimea, where he arrived on the 9th of May of 1855. He died in the General Hospital at Scutari on the 22nd of December 1855, (no cause shown) the musters only confirming other known details, that he had £4/1/10 in his credits, left no will, and that his next-of-kin was a; Brother - Name and address unknown. Was entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol.
In the book published in 1857 entitled “The Last of the Brave or Resting places of our fallen Heroes” and containing details of the inscriptions on the gravestones then still existing in the Crimea proper and at Sebastopol, amongst those for the latter was found the following;-
Sacred
to the memory of
Trumpet Major Francis Johnson
12th Royal Lancers
who departed this life
on the 22nd Decr. 1855
in the 35th year of his age
This stone was erected by
the Non-Commissioned Ofiicers
of the 13th Light Dragoons
as a mark of respect.
His brother, Thomas George, then RSM of the 13th LD, was most probably responsible for this. (See photograph of this inscription (and of the gravestone itself) in the 13th LD file.)
Another of possible interest however, might also be ;-
Boy William Johnson who enlisted into the 4th Light Dragoons at Maidstone Depot on the 27 March 1823 vide letter from the Adjutant General, aged 14 and 4’ 7” in height. To “Man’s Pay”, aged 15, on the 16 July 1824 and appointed Trumpeter on the 25th of June 1825 .
Photographs & illustrations
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