Name
Cecil Oliver Johnson
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/05/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
6781
Australian Infantry, A.I.F.
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GREVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY
IV.D.4
France
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary the Virgin, Stocking Pelham
Pre War
Cecil Oliver Johnson was born in Stocking Pelham, the seventh and youngest child of John Johnson, a farmer, and Mary Ann Johnson (nee Lawrence). He was baptised in Stocking Pelham on 4th March 1894. They lived in Berden Road, Stocking Pelham. In the 1911 census, Cecil Oliver was a farm labourer.
Wartime Service
Cecil Oliver was working as an unmarried farm labourer in Northam, Western Australia, when he enlisted on 29th June 1916. After initial training, he was posted to the 22nd reinforcements. He left Australia from Freemantle on HMAT Argyllshire on 9th November 1916, arriving at Devonport, Plymouth UK on 10th January 1917. Joining the 3rd training battalion of the Australian Imperial Force at Durrington, Sussex, he went absent without leave between 26th and 31st January, for which he received 7 days detention with 12 days loss of pay. On 4th April 1917, he left Folkestone for France, arriving on the 5th, and joining the base depot at Etaples on the 6th. On April 24th, he joined the 11th battalion, Australian Imperial Force. During the second battle of Bullecourt, he received a gunshot wound to his left side on 6th May 1917, and was admitted to the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station in Grevillers the following day. He died there on May 9th 1917.
Additional Information
Cecil’s brother Harold Hubert John had been killed in December 1915, before Cecil enlisted. After his death, Cecil’s effects were returned to his father. Later, his father was sent Cecil’s British Medal, Victory Medal, details of his burial, and a pamphlet entitled ‘Where the Australians rest’.
Acknowledgments
Dr Stephen Bratt
