Fifth son of William Charles (senior) Johnson and Ann (nee Lawson) Johnson of Lumsden, Southland

Husband of Margaret Maria Matilda nee Irwin; father of Annie (born 12 August 1920), William Arthur (born 22 August 1921) and Gordon (born 1923)

Two sons, brothers Arthur Henry Johnson (8/409) kia and William Charles Johnson (8/408) served in WW1.

His parents migrated from the East End, London to settle near Lumsden in 1881. They worked initially on farms or farm servicing. William Charles senior died of chest problems at a young 38 years in 1893.

The family then moved into Lumsden where William attended Lumsden Primary school.

As a youngster he enjoyed fishing and eeling in the Oret Rover, trapping rabbits and playing rugby. As a young adult he played senior rugby for the Lumsden Club.

Before WW1 William joined the Lumsden cadets. he worked at grocery and clerical jobs

Embarked for the Dardanelles 12 April 1915

Served overseas 1 year 235 days; total service 2 years 82 days

After the war he moved back to the town of Brown's in Southland and he resumed work at the local grocery store.

He married Margaret at Margaret's relatives place just outside of Browns in 1919. They settled in Queenstown where William worked as a clerk at Royd's Grocery store.

Presented with a special medallion by the Browns community.

William continued to play rugby, becoming Captain of the senior side of the Queenstown Rugby Club for 2 years.

They then moved to Invercargill, where William started up his own grocery business.

In 1925 William had developed a cough, tuberculosis. The family moved back to a drier climate of Queenstown. Unfortunately his health worsened and William died at the early age of 35.

His family remember William as a caring and helpful person to his family and to the community. The wider Johnson family remember him as a dependable, hardworking teenager who grew to be an adult who was always prepared to help others.

Served as William Johnson aka added later as William Charles Johnson AWMM