Ernest Maxwell Johnson

First Name: 
Ernest
Middle Name: 
Maxwell
Last Name: 
Johnson
Mother's Name: 
Elizabeth Johnson
Father's Name: 
John Johnson
Date Enlisted: 
Friday, March 24, 1916
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
17th Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Monday, November 5, 1917
Place of Death: 
Belgium
Cause of Death: 
Died of wounds
Details: 

Ernest Johnson (Service No 5594) was born around January 1891.  Ernest stated that he was born in Kiama, N.S.W. on his enlistment papers, however his AIF project papers record his birthplace as Canberra, A.C.T.  

When he enlisted in Sydney, Ernest was 25 years old, single, and worked as a sailmaker/seaman.  He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A14 Euripides with 15th Reinforcements, 17th Battalion on 9th September 1916.

The troops arrived in England on 26th October 1916 and Ernest joined 17th Battalion in France on 18th December 1916.

On 11th February 1917 he was admitted to hospital sick and returned to his unit on 2nd May 1917.

Ernest served on the Western Front and was fighting in Belgium on 5th November 1917 when he was seriously wounded in action.  He was admitted to 17th Casualty Clearing Station for treatment of shrapnel wounds to the head, but died that day.

Ernest is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium; Plot XXI, Row GG, Grave 5a.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, JOHNSON E M

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