Johnson was born in Hove, in 1881, the son of William and Eliza. William was a baker and the family lived at 8 Malvern Street. William moved to Worthing before 1891 and established a shop in Howard Street. .
Johnson trained as a French polisher and by 1901 he was living at 3 Brunswick Rd., a French Polisher, with his parents and brother William Wallace, now a Plumber, Christabella Ina, a Domestic Servant and Sundius Arthur a Page Boy, Walter James, Anne Florence, Bertha born 1892 in Worthing, and Beatrice Maud born 1894 in West Tarring. There were also three Boarders in the Household.
Johnson's mother, Eliza, died in 1910 and is buried in the South East area of the Cemetery. She and William had 12 children altogether, 9 of whom were still alive by 1911.
By 1911 father William was in Brunswick Road with William, now a House Painter, Johnson, Sundius Arthur, a Greengrocer and Beatrice Maud who was keeping house for them all.
In November 1914, Johnson joined the 2/4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. He was described as being 5ft 3in, sallow complexion, brown eyes and black hair. On 29 Apr 1915, Johnson was discharged from his Regiment in Horsham, as he was no longer physically fit for service. He had served, at home in England, for 169 days. He was awarded a £2 gratuity. He returned to Worthing and died suddenly, due to 'lead poisoning from his previous trade' on 2 May at his father's shop, 10 Thorn Road.
There is a proven link between French Polishing as well as cabinet and furniture making - and lead poisoning.
No probate. The family placed an acknowledgement notice in the local paper.