A Second World War Blitz British Empire Medal to Great War Veteran Private Charles Johnson, 1st Battalion, 13th London Regiment who saw service on the Western Front from 4th November 1914 until 6th March 1915, later being discharged due to sickness on 7th May 1916. He would later work for the Gas Light and Coke Company, and would be awarded the British Empire Medal in the London Gazette of 29th August 1941 in a join citation with two others for showing courage and determination in carrying out their duties during the height of air raids. Their work as valve locators is particularly hazardous and is invariably carried out in difficult conditions. On occasions the men have been injured by bombs or burnt by gas but they have always completed the vital tasks assigned to them. Not one of the men has ever considered his own safety and their team work and devotion to duty has been outstanding.
Group of 5: British Empire Medal, Civil Division, GRJ cypher; (CHARLES JOHNSON) 1914 Star; (1921 PTE. C. JOHNSON. 1/13 LOND. R.) British War Medal and Victory Medal; (1921 PTE. C. JOHNSON. 13-LOND. R.) Defence Medal
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
Charles Johnson was born in 1893 and attested on 7th August 1914 seeing service as a Private (No. 1921) with the 1st Battalion, 13th London Regiment on the Western Front from 4th November 1914 until 6th March 1915. He would subsequently be discharged due to sickness on 7th May 1916
Johnson would go on to work for the Gas Light and Coke Company, and would still be working for them during the Second World War. He would be awarded the British Empire Medal in the London Gazette of 29th August 1941 in a joint citation with Thomas Benjamin Stapleton a Valve Locator Driver and Albert Arthur Tomlinson, a Valve Locator and Acting Assistant Foreman, the join citation reading:
‘Johnson, Stapleton and Tomlinson have shown courage and determination in carrying out their duties during the height of air raids. Their work as valve locators is particularly hazardous and is invariably carried out in difficult conditions. On occasions the men have been injured by bombs or burnt by gas but they have always completed the vital tasks assigned to them. Not one of the men has ever considered his own safety and their team work and devotion to duty has been outstanding’
The Middlesex Chronicle of 6th September 1941 announced the awards to Mr. Charles Johnson of 46 Warren Road, Whitton, Valve Locator, and Mr. Albert Arthur Tomlinson of 105 Raleigh Road, Feltham, valve locator and acting Assistant Foreman in the employ of the Gas Light and Coke Company.
