John William Coote Johnson was born in 1890 in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, one of the twelve children of William Henry Johnson (circa 1855-1925) and Ann Johnson née Coote (circa 1861-1930). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1890 in the Rochford Registration District, Essex.
He was recorded as John W. C. Johnson, aged 10 years, on the census that was undertaken on 31 March 1901. He was living in a four roomed property at 21 High Street, Leigh-on-Sea, with his mother and four of his siblings: Rachel Coote Johnson (1887-1971) - a daily general servant; Emma Charlotte Coote Johnson (1894-1955); Dorotha Eliza Coote Johnson (1895-1977) and Harriett Augusta Coote Johnson (1897-1948), together with his cousin, Lillian M. Johnson, aged 14 years and a daily nursemaid. His father was recorded as the cook aboard the "Three Sisters" a 30 tons oyster fishing sailing boat that was in Coalmouth Creek off the Isle of Grain, Essex, on the night of the 1901 census.
He was described as aged 20 years and a fisherman on the census that was compiled on 2 April 1911. He was boarding in the home of Arthur Norman Axcell and his family, a five roomed property at 26 Leighville Grove, Leigh-on-Sea. His parents were residing in a five roomed property at 4 Pleasant Terrace, Leigh-on-Sea.
His death was registered as John W.C. Johnson, aged 27 years, in the 1st quarter of 1918 in the Lambeth Registration District, London. He died on 30 January 1918 as a result of injuries sustained following a wall collapse during firefighting operations at H. J. Brantom Cattle Food Warehouse, Albert Embankment, Lambeth (The future site of LFB Headquarters). His London Fire Brigade number was 944 and he was attached to Station 94, Vauxhall.
Sub Officer Walter William Hall, Sub Officer William Edward Cornford, Fireman Edmund James Fairbrother, Fireman William Edward Nash, Fireman Arthur Alfred Page and Fireman James Edward Fay were also killed.
He is shown as "J. W. C. JOHNSON" on the London Fire Brigade memorial in Highgate Cemetery. He is also commemorated on the National Firefighters Memorial in Sermon Lane, London, EC4, on the and on the .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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