Robert Frederick Johnson

A Sergeant with the 7th Battalion, Robert died on 12th of October 1916 at the age of 35. 

Robert was born at Morley Saint Botolph, Wymondham, Norfolk, in 1881, a son of James and Mary Johnson. He was baptised at Morley Saint Botolph with Saint Peter Church, on 16 October 1881, and his family lived at Morley Saint Peter. In 1891 his family lived at Tovell Street (now Exchange Street), Attleborough, Norfolk.

In 1901 Robert was an assistant schoolmaster living at 1 Alshaw Road, South Mimms, Hertfordshire. By 1911 Robert was living with his uncle and aunt, Frederick and Fanny Milsom, at 36 Trafalgar Street, Lowestoft, and Robert was a school teacher employed by Lowestoft Borough Council.  

Robert volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Norwich. He joined the Norfolk Regiment, service number 3/10023. Robert was already a Lance Corporal when he arrived in France, on 10 December 1915, to join the 7th Battalion.  

On 11 October 1916 the 7th Battalion moved into assembly trenches in preparation for an attack on Bayonet and Scabbard Trenches at Flers, the next day. At 2.05 p.m. on 12 October they commenced their attack: they were on the left of the 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment. 

The Battalion had advanced about 50 yards when they met machine-gun fire from both flanks and the front. The barbed wire had not been cut and they could not reach the German trenches. The men took cover in shell-holes and laid down sustained rifle fire on the German positions. After dark they attempted to cut through the German wire, but could not make good their attack. The survivors crawled back to the British lines and reformed. 

Casualties:
Officers: four killed, four wounded, two missing
Other ranks: 36 killed, 125 wounded, 51 missing

Robert is commemorated on the War Memorial at Saint Margaret's Church.