Name
Edward Fielder Johnson(*1)
14 February 1881
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/12/1917
36
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Captain
Royal Field Artillery
B Bty. 310th Bde.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HERMIES HILL BRITISH CEMETERY
II. A. 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Individual Plaque, All Saints Church, Mundesley, Norfolk
Pre War
Edward was born on 14 February 1881 in Paddington, London, his birth was registered in Kensington, London and he was baptised on 23 March 1881 Christ Church, Lancaster Gate, Westminster. His parents were Henry Fielder and Priscilla Jane Johnson (née Lucas). Who married on 10 August 1871, in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin. This was long before Edward’s birth, but this, and Priscillas family connection, seem to be the only basis for his connection to Hitchin.(*1)
In 1881 the family were living at 14 Princes Square, Paddington, London, Edward was recorded as born in Paddington as were his father and siblings, while his mother was recorded as born in Hatcham, Kent (sometimes Surrey. Present were both parents: Henry (36) and Priscilla (35), with Henry working as a solicitor. Their children were: Priscilla M F (6), Millicent F (5), John F F (2), Thomas H F (1) and Edward Fielder under two months old. Six domestic servants were present including a cook, nurse, housemaid. Kitchen maid and butter maid.
By 1891 the family were living Mundesley, Norfolk, England. Present were both parents, with Henry described as a solicitor and employer. None of the children listed above were present, presumably like Edward they were at a boarding school. New siblings were Agnes Mary Fielder (8) and William Fielder (6). Now four domestic servants were there, a governess and three others. Edward was at school in Sussex and living with many other pupils at 18 West Mansion, Heene Terrace Heene, Sussex.
In fact Edward went on to attend the Royal Garrison Artillery, military academy as on 22 November 1899 he was commissioned to Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery (RFA), and then later to Lieutenant 16 February 1901.
In 1901 his family were living at Pipers House, Harlow, Essex. Again both parents were present with Henry still a solicitor, working on his own account. Of their children, Millicent, John, Thomas and Agnes were listed along with a cook, parlourmaid, kitchen maid, a ladies maid and a housemaid.
Edward seems to have left the RFA before 1911 because in the census of that year records back in his parents’ home and that was now Mundesley House, Mundesley, Norfolk. Present were both parents, with Henry (66) still recorded as a solicitor and Edward was 30 and an electrical engineer. The others present were children Agnes and William, others were sister-in-law Marianna Lucas (61), a visitor John Empson Toplis Pollard (47) and four domestic servants.
It appears that Edward was living at 18 Theobalds Road, with an office a 28 Hatton Garden, Finsbury, Holborn in the electoral registers of 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1914.
Wartime Service
If this is all the above is correct then when war was declared he may have been mobilised as part of the Army Reserve or could have reenlisted.
From his medal records went to France sometimes in 1915.
Edward was killed in action as a captain in the "B" Bty. 310th Bde. Royal Field Artillery in France on 6 December 1917.
Additional Information
After his death £0 5s 7d pay owing was calculated and authorised on 3 February 1918, then a transfer of £119 16s 6d was authorised on 29 May 1918 and then sums of £4 1s 8d and £3 6d 0d were authorised. Although in this entry his death was recorded as a day later.
His mother made a claim for his medals on 6 December 19102 when she was still living at Mundesley House, Mundesley, Norfolk.
*1 Edward Fielder Johnson appears in the St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin. This was produced for 2014, and his name does not appear on any other Hitchin memorial.
Many records were reviewed, including birth, baptism, census, electoral register or military and none revealed any connection to Hitchin for him, his parents or siblings, until his parent’s marriage was reviewed. They married on 10 August 1871, in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin and her maiden name ‘Lucas’ was a well know name in Hitchin and although she was recorded as born in Hatcham, Surrey, before her marriage she lived in Hitchin. She and her husband moved from Hitchin after the marriage and Edward was not born for another 10 years we have not found any other connect to Hitchin for Edward.
Edward’s elder brother Thomas William Fielder Johnson also died in the war, he is not m,ention the St Mary’s Church ROH. However bothe men appear on and I inividual Plaque, All Saints Church, Mundesley, Norfolk.
We would, however, be very grateful for any information that confirms any direct or stronger links to Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
