James Bulmer Johnson

He fought off attacks then rescued four men under heavy fire

James Johnson grew up in a large Northumberland family and worked as a machine operator and as a porter and clerk at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary. He enlisted in the Royal Horse Guards in October 1914 and reached France in May 1915. After service as a trooper and lance corporal, he trained for a commission and became a second lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers in May 1918.

He joined the 36th Battalion in France in October. On 14 October 1918, southwest of Wez Macquart, Johnson’s advanced position came under repeated attacks. He resisted for six hours under heavy fire. When ordered to withdraw, he remained until the last moment and carried a wounded soldier away. He then returned three times to recover other badly wounded men despite intense machine-gun fire. His conduct earned the Victoria Cross.

George V presented Johnson’s VC at Buckingham Palace on 14 June 1919. He was demobilized that October and relinquished his commission in 1921, retaining the rank of second lieutenant. A short period in the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary followed. Civilian life brought unemployment and difficulties obtaining a pension, as well as work connected with the racecourse betting organization at Doncaster.

Johnson later moved to Plymouth. He worked as a civilian clerk at an Army recruiting office and, from 1941, as a rating assessment officer for the city treasury. He died in Plymouth City Hospital on 23 March 1943 and was cremated at Efford. His home had been damaged during the Blitz.