Private William Johnson
5330 2/5th East Lancashire Regiment

He is my mother’s father who had a very sad short life.
He was born at 5 Admiral St Burnley on 21 March 1896 to John Johnson and Mary Ann Musgrove. By 1911 he was an orphan, his mother having died of TB in March and his father being killed in an accident at Worsthorne Quarry in June.
He worked as a Cotton Twister at Holdens, Albert St Mill Burnley until July 1915 when he enlisted in 2/5 East Lancs Regiment. Reg No 5330.
Unfortunately it would appear he never saw action overseas as he was diagnosed with TB and transferred to Colchester Military Hospital October 1916 and discharged with a pension in the November. (This photo was taken in Colchester and you can see he looks very frail).

Jun 1917 he was again working in the cotton mills when he married Mary Jane Heap. My mother, also Mary Jane, was born in Jan 1918, but William died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis on 18 June 1919 aged just 23.

So although he never saw action overseas, he did attempt to do his bit and it would be nice if he could appear in your Roll of Honour. He was obviously proud of serving as in his wedding photo he is wearing his East Lancs Cap badge in his lapel.

(Courtesy of his grandaughter Chris Cherry)