MILITARY HISTORY
Private James Theodore Johnson — 292106 — ACTIVE SERVICE (World War I)
On January 15, 1916, James Theodore Johnson completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Army, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). He was 32 years, 7 months and 18 days old when, as a single man, he enlisted in Pierson, Manitoba for the duration of the War and 6 months. James Theodore was born in Lakefield, Ontario and gave his birth-date as May 28, 1883. On his Attestation Paper, he indicated “he had never served with an “Active Militia nor a Military Force” There is nothing in his Records to indicate where he was educated or to what level. As far as employment is concerned, he lists Farmer. James Theodore had a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair; he was 5′ 7” tall, with a 37½” chest (expanded), his weight was not given. His next-of-kin was listed as his father, Mr. Robert Johnson of Pierson, Manitoba. James Theodore’s medical examination was done on January 15, 1916 in Pierson, Manitoba; he was determined fit for the CEF (Overseas). James Theodore Johnson signed the Oath and Certificate January 15, 1916, at Pierson and was taken-on-strength to the 222nd Battalion (Bn) as a Private (Pte) with Regimental Number 292106 on January 15, 1916.
November 1, 1916 Pte Johnson assigned $15.00 monthly to his mother, Mrs. E. Johnson, Pierson Manitoba.
Pte Johnson’s Military Records do not have any documentation that covers the period of time from January 15, 1916 to November 20, 1916; a little over 10 months. This 10 month, 5 day period would have been used to do all his Basic and Advanced Training, probably in the Brandon, Manitoba Training area. The main goal was to form the men into Units and ship them off to England as quickly as possible where their training would be completed. Pte Johnson embarked aboard the SS Olympic November 13, 1916 with the 222nd Bn. He disembarked at England on November 20, 1916.
Pte Johnson completed a Military Will on December 27, 1916 as follows: Perforated sheet for Will from Pay Book of Regimental Number 292106, J. T. Johnson of the 222nd Bn.
Military Will
I, J. T. Johnson leave all my property
both personal and real where so ever
situated to my mother Mrs. Elizabeth
Johnson, Pierson P.O., Manitoba Canada
Signature …. Johnson J. T.
Rank and Regt …….. Pte …… 222Bn
Date ………… Dec 27, 1916
Verified true copy.
Signature of Lieut.
Estate Branch
December 28, 1916 Pte Johnson was struck-off-strength from the 222nd Bn to the 44th Battalion at Shoreham, England. On the December 29, 1916 he was taken-on-strength from the 222nd Bn to the 44th Bn in the Field and was transferred from the Canadian Base Depot (CBD) England and arrived at the CBD in France. December 30, 1916 he left the CBD in France to join the 44th Bn in the Field. January 1, 1917 Pte Johnson arrived at the 44th Bn in the Field.
Three months and 11 days later, on April 12, 1917 it was reported from the CBD that Pte. Johnson had been killed-in-action in the Field. April 30, 1917 Pte Johnson was added to the Casualty List (CL) as reported from the Base.
Private James Theodore Johnson’s Medals, Decorations and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Robert Johnson at Pierson P.O., Manitoba. His Memorial Plaque and Memorial Scroll were sent to his father, Robert Johnson, Esq at the above address. These articles were dispatched March 21, 1922.
Private James Theodore Johnson served with the Canadian Army a total of about 1 years, and 3 months: 10 months and 25 days in Canada; 1 month and 9 days in the UK; 2 years, 4 months and 14 days in France and 10 days travel time.
Based on his Military Service, Private James Theodore Johnson would have been awarded the:
British War Medal; and
Victory Medal.
He was also awarded War Service Badge – CEF Class “A”
Private James Theodore Johnson’s name is engraved on the Vimy Memorial at Pas de Calais, France. War Diary entries for his brother Thomas Henry Maxwell gives location of his demise as Vimy Ridge, France.
Private James Theodore Johnson is memorialized on Page 264 of the World War I Book of Remembrance.
An excerpt from an article in Maclean’s magazine by Barbara Ameil, September 1996:
The Military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your Nation. What could be more honorable?
PERSONAL HISTORY
JAMES THEODORE JOHNSON
James Theodore Johnson was born in Lakefield, Ontario on May 28, 1883, son of Robert Johnson and Elizabeth McKibbon. James received his education in Lakefield and by 1906 Robert and Elizabeth Johnson were living in Pierson, Souris District, Manitoba with their three youngest children. James was working as a Farmer and on January 15, 1916 both he and his younger brother, Thomas Henry Maxwell decided to enlist and serve their King and Country. Sadly on April 12, 1917 both Private James Theodore Johnson and Private Thomas Henry Maxwell Johnson were killed in action at Vimy Ridge in France. Their names are on the Vimy Memorial, in the District of Pas-de-Calais, France since they were never found.
The youngest son, Charles Edwin Johnson enlisted in Brandon, Manitoba on June 4, 1918 as a Draftee under the Military Service Act (Canada 1917). He was discharged on December 30, 1918 and was not out of Manitoba.
James Theodore Johnson was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church and is included on a Memorial Plaque that hung in Knox Presbyterian Church which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque was later moved to the Sanctuary of Lakefield United Church on Regent Street in 1932 after the two churches merged to form Lakefield United Church.
THE JAMES THEODORE JOHNSON FAMILY OF LAKEFIELD
James Theodore Johnson’s paternal grandparents were George Johnson born in 1828 and Elizabeth Fairbairn born in 1834. They were married on February 1, 1853 in St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church and farmed in Smith Township. They had a family of 10 children. George passed away on February 24, 1910 and Elizabeth died on July 4, 1924; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
James Theodore Johnson’s maternal grandparents were William John McKibbon born in 1829 and Sarah Davidson born in 1829. They married on March 11, 1853 and resided in Lakefield. They had a family of at least eight children. William passed away on April 6, 1899 and Sarah died on November 30, 1903; both are buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
James Theodore Johnson’s parents were Robert Johnson born in 1856 and Elizabeth McKibbon born in 1857. They were married on March 26, 1879 and farmed in Douro Township and by 1892 the family was living in Lakefield and Robert was working as a teamster. Robert and Elizabeth Johnson has a family of eight children: William George; James Theodore; Robert; Elmer; Melville Emory; Edith Irene; Thomas Henry Maxwell and Charles “Edwin” Johnson. By 1906, Robert and Elizabeth were living in Pierson, Souris District, Manitoba with the three youngest children.