JOHNSON, PTE. GUY VERNON Reg. # 703574
Their second son, Guy Vernon Johnson, was born July 26, 1891 in Ahmic Harbour to John A. and Lucy Ida (Cole) Johnson. Guy’s parents were the original operators of the infamous ‘Wildcat Hotel’ above Maple Island and were the original owners and operators of the Cliffeburn Hotel in Ahmic Harbour.
Guy enlisted on February 1, 1916 in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. At the time of enlistment, Guy identified his occupation as being a rancher. He listed his next of kin as his wife, Clara H. Johnson, living at 1601 Robson Street, Vancouver. He joined the 102nd Battalion, C.E.F.
Guy arrived in Britain on June 28, 1916 on the S.S. Britannia.
Guy embarked for France with the 102nd arriving on August 11, 1916.
On November 16, 1916 he was wounded and on November 21, 1916 he died of his wounds.
The note on his file speaks to Gas Poisoning.
The note below indicates that Guy’s widow moved to Oregon, as did his mother who had remarried and was known as Lucy Ida Cottrell.
The 102nd Battalion was authorized on 22 December 1915 and embarked for Britain on 18 June 1916. It disembarked in France on 12 August 1916, where it fought as part of the 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war.
In “The Story of the 102nd Canadian Infantry Battalion From BC to Baisieux” by Sgt Leonard McLeod Gould HQ 102nd Canadians WW1; Leonard MacLeod wrote:
“The last few days passed quickly, and finally, on a sweltering hot day, August 11th, 1916, the 102nd Bn. marched from Bramshott to Liphook, where it entrained for Southampton. Arrived there we boarded the small cross-channel transport "Connaught" and awoke on the morning of the l2th to find ourselves in the harbour of Le Havre. Just five months from mobilization in Comox and we were standing on the threshold of our ambitions. “
Guy Johnson was killed during the Battle of the Somme.
The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British Empire and French Third Republic against the German Empire. It took place between 1 July and 18 November 1916 on both sides of the upper reaches of the Somme, a river in France. The battle was intended to hasten a victory for the Allies. More than three million men fought in the battle and one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the deadliest battles in human history. (Wikipedia)
Chlorine/phosgene mixture gas attacks were used extensively during the battle of the Somme (July-November 1916). In fact, gas was used so extensively that it ceases to be mentioned in accounts of battles.
Guy’s War Service Gratuity was identified as being sent to Mrs. Clara H. Johnston (Johnson), widow c/o her father-in-law John A, Johnston c/o sawmill, near Sexsmith, Alberta
