Chilkd No.7. 1889 - Ernest Johnson was born - his father was shown as a Farmer at Blowering - as stated on his son Ernest's "Baptism Record". - (Ref- NSW BDM 35100/1889). Ernest's life came to an end in 1941 at Jones' Bridge. -

Tumut & Adelong Times - Tuesday 17th April 1928

Mr Ern Johnson, one of our Great War Victims, returned on Thursday from the city after another visit (thought to be the last necessary), toDr Waddy the specialist eye surgeon at Randwick Military Hospital.

Tumut Advocate - Monday 19th April 1915

Private Ernie Johnson (266, D Troop, B Squadron, 1S, A.L.H.Reg), son of Mrs N.B. Johnson of Jones' Bridge, Tumut, writes a letter from Helliopoles Camp, via Cairo, Egypt, under date March 14th to Mr J.H. Beale, his former employer at the Tumut Brewery, stating that he is havinga fair time with Australian troops in Egypt, plenty of drill, but they set a considerable amount of fun amongst the convivial company whenoff duty. A good deal of practice has been done by the Light Horse onthe rifle range and Private Johnson has become a fair shot. He asks that letters be addressed to England so that he must be amongst the troops that are being removed to England. He says that he saw ex-Constable Newton, formerly of Tumut, in camp with the infantry. A number of views of Cairo were sent by Mr Johnson to Mr Beale by the same mail.

Tumut & Adelong Times - Friday July 1915

Mrs N.B Johnson, of Jones' Bridge, Tumut has received a letter from her son Private Ernie Johnson, who was wounded at Gallipoli, stating that he is wounded above the left eye from shrapnel, and was in the Alexandria Hospital at the time of writing.

Adelong & Tumut Times - Friday 2nd June 1916

R.Q.M. Sergeant Ernie Johnson who was seriously wounded at Gallipoli writes to Mr J.C. Blunden from Tel-el-Kebir, under the date 10.4.16, that he is being shifted 50 miles to Cairo, still carrying on as R.Q.M Sergeant.

Tumut Advocate - Tuesday 12th November 1918

Warrant Officer Ernest Johnson, son of Mrs N.B. Johnson of Jones' Bridge, is with the ANZAC heroes to arrive in Sydney shortly. Ernie had the great misfortune to be caught by bursting shrapnel and amongst his injuries was the loss of an eye.

Tumut Advocate - Tuesday 10th December 1918

Welcome to a returned hero Warrant Officer Ernie Johnson

The Oddfellows Hall, Tumut, was crowded to exception on Wednesday night last, when a public reception was accorded Warrant Officer Ernie Johnson, of Jones's Bridge, who had arrived at Tumut the previous week. Sergeant Hugh Harris, of Yarrangobilly, was to have been included in the welcome, but owing to being recalled unexpectedly by the military authorities, he was not present.

Both are returned ANZACS, and the public were determined to let them see that they rejoiced at their homecoming and honoured them for theirdeeds for right and freedom. The interior of the hall was artistically decorated with flags of the allies, kindly lent by Mr J.W. McCatcheon. The hero was escorted up the hall to the stage by a posy of returned soldiers, while Miss Cruise (piano) and Mr P. Martin (violin) played "Home Sweet Home".

The formal ceremony in connection with the welcome (which was under the agis of the Returned Soldier's Reception Committee, of which Miss Allatt, Mrs Murrow and Mr N.C. Adams are the joint Hon. Secs.), was performed by the Mayor Ald. Fred C. Emanuel, who extended the hand of friendship to Warrant Officer Johnson, on behalf of the citizens of the town and district. He stressed the fact that the honoured hero was one of the very first when the call for volunteers was made by Major GeoffHarris, immediately news of the proclamation of war was heralded fromLondon, to offer his services for King and country and went prepared to pay whatever penalty victory demanded. His glorious self sacrifice had assisted in bringing victory to the Empire and her Allies and honour and glory to Australia and the district he represented. After Mr R.Joyce had addressed a few fervent words of welcome to the battlescarred warrior, the Mayor presented the customary gold medal. Warrant Officer Johnson responded very nicely, thanking the committee and the people of the town and district for the warm welcome he had received.

The Mayor then presented the prized for the Euchre tourney, Mr GeorgeJohnson and Mrs Kay McLennan being the winners of the gents and ladies respectively, and Miss Purcell and Mr H. Harris "The Booby's". The prizes were donated by tradespeople. A scrumptuous supper was providedand dancing was carried on til the wee small hours, to music gratuitously supplied by musicians participating in the welcome.

Adelong & Tumut Express - Friday 13th December 1918

Blowering - The presence of Warrant Officer E. Johnson, a returned original ANZAC, was availed of by the members of the Blowering Junior Red Cross on Friday last, when they held their final meeting for 1918, and quite a pleasant afternoon was spent.

After the usual business, which showed a most satisfactory state of affairs, over 800 articles being completed and a credit balance of fivepound remaining after three months' operations, the guest of the day was formally welcomed, on behalf of the Circle, by the patron, Mr N. Crook, who, in expressing admiration for the spirit of those who had sovaliantly assisted in the suppression of "Kultur", hoped that they may long be spared to enjoy the liberties they had so bravely defended,and might proudly point to the dear old Union Jack floating over Australia and say, "I helped to keep it flying".

The Secretary and Treasurer then made a small presentation, mostly expressing their appreciation of the warmth of the guest's patriotism. Warrant Officer Johnson, responding, gave a graphic outline of his experiences while abroad, spoke in eulogistic terms of the benefits derived from the Red Cross, and expressed keen admiration of the manner in which the work had been taken up by the Junior Circles.

Afternoon tea was served and games indulged in til 6pm, when the party, after voicing their pleasure at being present on such an occasion, dispersed.

Somewhere between 4pm on Thursday and 9am on Friday the old school flag was removed from the flag pole. It was a conspicuous landmark during the war. The school would have liked to welcome back an ex-scholar with it. Another was immediately obtained.

Tumut Advocate - Tuesday 9th June 1925

Mr Ern Johnson has sold out his Tea Rooms at Cootamundra to Mrs Cashman.

Adelong & Tumut Express - Friday 28th April 1939

Digger Ernie Johnson had his ANZAC celebrations topped off on Wednesday night, with a surprise party at his mother's residence, in "Riverdale", Blowering. It was the occasion of his 50th birthday.

DEATH NOTICE: - Local Paper - 29th July 1941

Warrant Officer Ernest JOHNSON Briefly reported in our Friday's issue was the sad fatality at Blowering last week, when a very well known resident of the district and a veteran of the 1914-18 war, Warrant Officer Ernest Johnson of Jones' Bridge, lost his life. The tragedy cast a gloom over the district and although general sympathy is being felt for all his bereaved relatives, to his mother is a very special share extended. For all her age, she has passed the alotted span by 13 years, a blow such as this will do much to darken the twilight of her life for her son had lived with her and made her ever his first consideration.

On Wednesday afternoon, about 3 o'clock, Mr Johnson left his home to collect his mail from the mailbox which is on the roadside near Jones'Bridge. No anxiety was caused through his not returning that night as his mother thought he was staying for a game of cards with his uncle,Mr Jack Johnson, who lives on the opposite side of the bridge, until a late hour that night. However when he did not show up for breakfast or dinner on Thursday, Mrs Johnson sent word to her brother-in-law to see if he was there. When it went discovered that Mr Johnson was missing, a search party, consisting of Messrs. Jim Johnson, Jack Johnson, Wally Banwell, Bert and Fred Johnson, Ken Johnson, Walter Johnson and Jack Nuttall, was organised. The party split up in various directions,some visited neighbouring houses and others searched the river banks,by the aid of lanterns until Messrs. Banwell and Bert Johnson, about 6.45 o'clock on Thursday evening discovered him under the bridge. Mr Banwell actually slipped down the bank and landed within a few inches of his brother-in-law's head, and found the body lying face downwards in about a foot of water, directly under the bridge where the banks are very steep and slippery. Mr Johnson had put his hat on the bank and in it placed the papers, letters and a tin of tobacco and all is summised he had had a dizzy spell to which he was subject and slipped downthe bank, the position in which he was found proving that he had been unable to do anything to save himself.

The Police were immediately notified and the body was taken to his late home. On Friday morning the body was taken to the Tumut District Hospital morgue by the undertaker, Mr C.W. Burt, where a post-mortem was carried out. An inquest will be held at a later date.

The late Mr Johnson, who was 51 years of age, was a son of Mrs and the late Napoleon Bonaparte Johnson of Jones' Bridge, and lived about the district and enlisted for service in the first Great War. He was employed by the late Mr John Beale as head brewer, and just before his enlistment was employed by the late Mr G.F. Grill at his Post Office Stores, Tumut, as carter. Residents will remember that Warrant Officer Ernest Johnson was seriously wounded during the campaign and suffered the loss of an eye. A piece of shrapnel passed through the back of the right temple and lodged in the bone of his nose. When discovered Ern was given up for dead at first and then lay unconscious for ten days and ten nights fed on brandy. Eventually a surgeon was able to extricate the shrapnel which was given to the victim which is now in his mother's possession mounted on a gold stand. Despite the cheeriness with which Ern greeted the world, his wound left an indelible mark on his health and few, beyond his immediate relatives, realised how he still suffered from the injury even after all these years. In spite of this serious physical disability he received but a very small pension, and this is yet further direct evidence of the unfairness of the Medical Board of the last war. A man who had lost an eye in the service of his country and suffered the consequent inconvenience over a period of 25 years was expected to exist on a miserable pittance that clearly showed the ingratitute of a country towards a brave soldier.

After his return from the war Mr Johnson married Miss Ruby Conners, a daughter of Mr William Conners and the late Mrs Conners of Tumut, by whom he is survived, but there is no family. For about a year after their marriage, Mr and Mrs Johnson had a refreshment room business in Cootamundra, but later they returned to Tumut and practically ever since he has resided with his mother and worked the farm for her. One instance of his regard for his mother was that although his birthday was onApril 26, since the war he insisted on keeping it up on ANZAC Day - the day before and thus spent in town with his Digger pals but he could never be prevailed upon for the reunion in the evening, as his mother was at home and she came first. He was a favourite with his relatives and regarded by his friends as one of "nature's gentlemen".

He is survived by seven brothers and four sisters, George (Newtown, Tumut), Walter (Wynyard St, Tumut), Milton (Sergeant of Police, Five Dock), Herbert (Western Australia), Frederick H (Tumut Wine Saloon), Albert E (fruiterer and confectioner, Wynyard St, Tumut) and Hector (Blacktown Shire), Lillian (Mrs W.F. Grady, Adelong), Ivy M (Mrs Stan Prowse, Wagga), Ella O (Mrs Jack Nuttall, Fitzroy St, Tumut), and Clare (Mrs W. Banwell, Blowering).

The flag at the shire office flew at half mast before the funeral, which was of semi-military character and left the hospital at 2 o'clock on Friday afternoon for the Church of England portion of the new cemetery and a large and representative gathering witnessed the internment despite the very short notice. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack carried by six returned soldiers Colonel G.H.L. Harris, Messrs. Fred Johnson (brother), Mark and Arch Macadam, G.C. Watson and Peter Kemp.

Mr W.C. Burt had charge of the funeral arrangements and Rev. S. Broadfoot, Rector of All Saint's officiated at the graveside in a very impressive and feeling manner. After the coffin had been lowered into the grave, his brother and soldier pal, Mr Fred Johnson placed a sprig of wattle (Australia's national flower) on it in rememberence of a lovingbrother and pal. Then Mr Jas Tod called upon the sixteen returned soldiers present to form up on three sides of the grave and stand to attention whilst he read the special returned soldier's service. But priorto doing so called upon Colonel Harris to say a few words. Colonel Harris said, he was the late Ernie Johnson's commanding officer throughout the Egyptian campaign during the last war, and besides being a goodfriend he had always found him a soldier and a man, willing to do any task when called upon to do so, day or night. When he (the speaker) formed a contingent of the Light Horse to leave Australia, Ernie was one of the first to join up with him. He joined as a trooper soon after the outbreak of war in 1914 and during his service in Egypt rose to the rank of 1st Class Warrant Officer of the 1st Australian Light Horse, Colonel Harris' concluding words "God rest his soul" will be echoed by his legion of friends. After one minute's silence each returned soldier, as he filed past the coffin dropped in a sprig of that emblem of rememberence - Rosemary, and thus yet another ANZAC was laid to rest.

Many beautiful flowers were laid on the grave, amongst the senders were: Officers and members Lodge M.U.I.O.O.F. Tumut; Peter and Max Harris, Jim and Mill, W. Conners and family, Bert, Phoebe and Morris, loving mother, Mr and Mrs (Col.) G H.L. Harris, Mr and Mrs Fred Johnson and family, Mr and Mrs Vern Harris, All the family, Mr and Mrs Ted Quirk and family, Mr and Mrs F.L. Baker, Eric and Jack Walter, Grace and family, Dossy and Monte Carr, Bert, Enid and Lesley, Mr and Mrs R.A. Lester.

This report is submitted in good faith. All endeavours have been made to make all entries authentic and correct. For any corrections you may have please phone 0431 481 451 or contact John

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