Frederick Henry Johnson

He rallied the assault on Hill 70, while wounded under fire.

Frederick Henry Johnson was born in Streatham, London, on 15 August 1890. He attended Whitgift Middle School and St Dunstan's College, then trained as an engineering apprentice. At Battersea Polytechnic he studied engineering and graduated with honours from the University of London in 1914. His technical education led naturally toward the Royal Engineers when war began.

He joined the University of London Officer Training Corps and received a commission in October 1914. In July 1915 he went to France with the 73rd Field Company, Royal Engineers. That September his company supported the British offensive at Loos, including the attack on Hill 70.

On 25 September Johnson accompanied an assaulting force against a German redoubt. A leg wound did not persuade him to withdraw. He repeatedly brought men together under heavy fire, led charges and steadied the attack at a moment when it risked failing. His determination helped the troops hold the ground they had gained. He remained at his post until relieved that evening.

Evacuated to Britain, Johnson received the Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 22 December 1915. He returned to France in January 1916 and continued his engineering service. His former college honoured him with a portrait, recognising a graduate who had turned classroom training into leadership in the field.

He later commanded the 231st Field Company and served as a major. During the Battle of Cambrai, on 26 November 1917, he went on reconnaissance near Bourlon Wood with fellow officers. When one officer became missing, Johnson searched for him and was shot. He died that day, aged twenty-seven. His battlefield grave was subsequently lost, and his name is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval. He never married. His life ended just three years after the engineering degree with which he had entered wartime service.

Victoria Cross citation: For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the attack on Hill 70 on 25th September, 1915. Second Lieutenant Johnson was with a section of his company of the Royal Engineers. Although wounded in the leg, he stuck to his duty throughout the attack, led several charges on the German redoubt, and at a very critical time, under very heavy fire, repeatedly rallied the men who were near him. By his splendid example and cool courage he was mainly instrumental in saving the situation and in establishing firmly his part of the position which had been taken. He remained at his post until relieved in the evening.

Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 16 November 1915. 18 November 1915, Numb. 29371, p. 11448