Jack Johnson

Ingoa whānau
Johnson
Ingoa tuatahi
Jack
Date of death
30-May-62

World War 2

Tau Rangatū
62733
Tūnga
Private
Wāhi noho
C/o Whangarei Hotel, Whangarei, New Zealand
Whanaunga tino tata i te wā o te kuhunga
Mrs D.L. Johnson (wife), c/o Athol Masters, R.D., Kaitana, New Zealand

Takupu (4)

Jack's wife was Dorothy Elenor. Sadly on the 30th May 1962 (Aged 49) ,Jack was killed due to massive head injuries received when he was accidently struck by a tree whilst felling trees on Owen Mitchell's property on Pioneer H/Way, Palmerston North. Poppa was Known as Jack but his death certificate has him as John & I am trying to find his birth certificate but as he was born in England in may 1913 it's quite hard. I am searching for any further information on Poppa, so if any one out there has any please contact me. Thank you for your time. Kim

Hi Kimmy, This is the first time I have used this site, so it may be a bit of learning experience for me. My grandmother was Galdys WOODS (nee JOHNSON), your Poppa Jack's (John's) elder sister. His tragic death matches exactly stories related to me by my father (William Henry WOODS), and his late sister Edith May STOKES's (nee WOODS). My father, now 81, remembers his Uncle John staying at the WOODS house for a short period after the war. He also remembers the youngest boy in the Johnson family, his Uncle Albert (Bert) JOHNSON being around at about the same time. Bert had been a POW. Sadly we buried my Aunty May STOKES (aged 84) last Saturday, and she would have most likely been the best source of personal accounts. Several of my father JOHNSON cousins were present. I know very little about JOHNSON ancestry, and like you, are struggling to gain an information footstep, on the English doorstep! I look forward to hearing from you. My email address is [email protected]. Kind regards Peter.

Hi KimmyMy name is Elizabeth. I am a granddaughter of Violet Johnson who was a sister of John Johnson, your grandad. She told me a couple of stories about him.My Mum and dad visited John and Dorri in 1961 when they were living in a farmhouse at Longburn, 5 miles out of Palmerston North. My Mum said John was very tall and always wore a black tshirt and trousers. He looked fearsome but was a pussycat and adored Dorri and their 4 children very much.When John was killed, the man who owned the property bought Dorri a house in town (Palmerston North). John and Dorri's children were only young at the time, the youngest Eleanor only being about 8.My Mum says everyone respected John and Dorri and that Dorri was a wonderful person.Before I write any more I would like to confirm that we are indeed talking about the same man. Does this information match up with your personal family history?Also my nana was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. This may help with looking for John's birth certificateYou are related to lots of Johnsons in the Bay of Islands.If this info. does match up with yours, I will write again with a couple of stories that my Nana told me.Best wishes with your search.Elizabeth Hansen

Hi KimmyMy name is Elizabeth and I am one of Vi Johnson's (one of Jack's sisters) grand daughters.Here's the story John's sister Vi told me about John: When he was a school child he would swap his lunch in exchange for learning Māori from the other school kids. One day his mum was talking to the kaumātua and mentioned that John was learning teo reo Māori. She repeated a few phrases John had learnt and the kaumātua's face clouded over and he said to her "those are bad words".My mum continues the story by saying that after that, John took great pains to seek out and learn the language properly. The local kaumātua taught him. At that time, only people who showed great aptitude and willingness were taught by the kaumātua.The war story Vi told me was that John said the German soldiers had a great respect for the Maori battalion. The battalion's solidiers would dig up the live German mines and simply leave them on the surface for the Germans to find again.My Nana Vi said to Dorothy one day "John doesn't kiss you when he comes home". Your grandmother replied " He always makes a point of kissing me goodbye in the morning before he leaves for work".My Mum would like to thank you for helping her remember John and Dorothy. She says they were affectionate, upright and admirable people.I am sure that over the years since you have posted your search on this website, you have been flooded with information and stories about your Poppa.Best wishes to you and your family. Elizabeth Hansen