Harrogate Herald - 15th December 1915

Knaresborough Men with the Colours - Photo Page

Lance Corporal J W Lister

Lance Corporal T M Lister

Claro Times – 20th February 1915

Sergeant G B Johnson, of The Dispensary, Knaresborough, whose photograph we reproduce in this issue, has served 23 years with the colours, and is now at Easington, near Spurn Hear, one of the most important positions on the East Coast.

There are few better known military men in Knaresborough and district, than Sergeant Johnson. He joined the 1st Volunteer Battalion in 1893, when the Brigade Bearer Company was formed in connect with the G Company. He was transferred to that unit, and was promoted at that time to Corporal, being fortunate in commanding the winning team for four years in succession in the West Yorkshire Brigade Ambulance Competition.

In 1900, while still serving with the above unit, he volunteered to go to South Africa with the 1st Volunteer Service Company, under Captain, now Colonel Wood, of the 5th West Yorkshire Regiment, and served with that Company during the eighteen months it was in South Africa. He took part in the battle of Lang's Nek, and was present when the Boers shelled Elands Laagte. Sergeant Johnson was the recipient of the South African medal with four bars, and he also has the long service medal.

He has the distinction of being the only serving Territorial of the Battalion with the exception of the Colonel, who went through the South African campaign, and has served continuously in the battalion.

Sergeant Johnson volunteered on the mobilisation of the Territorial, and transferred to the Reserve Battalion, being sent to guard the coast. He was under fire at the Hartlepools when they were shelled by German battleships. His Company is the only one in the Battalion which has been under fire during the present war.

The only two brothers of Mrs Johnson are on active service. Driver J W Lister is in the Army Service Corps, and Private Thomas Lister is in training in the 13th Service Battalion of the new army.