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Posted

I have been asked by a work collegue if I could find out any information concerning his great gradnfather who was killed in action with the 11th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers two weeks before the end of the war. The chap in question is Pte John Thomas Johnson MM & Bar, he was KIA on 27 10 1918 and is buried at Tezze British Cemetery, Italy.

Can anyone shed any light on what the battalion was doing on the day of his death and the days leading upto it. A quick check of the CWGC shows at least 11 other NF soldiers buried in the same cemetery with the same date of death, so I am presuming a major attack of some sort. Secondly any information on the award of his MM and Bar.

Any help appreciated as i'm trying to do this at work and my internet is very limited.

Many thanks

Mutley

Posted

Hi,

They were part of the 68th Brigades part of the attack by the 23rd Division across the River Piave.

regards

John

Posted

John

Many thanks for the help, can't seem to find the war diary on the National Archives website.

Mutley

Posted

Mutley

As John states they were crossing the Piave. Norman Gladden served with 11th NF and his book 'Across the Piave' gives a good description of the action. The war diaries for Italy have not yet been digitized and released.

Regards

Colin

Posted

Hello Mutley

Not digitised yet, but here is the reference:

WO 95/4236 11 Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers 1917 Nov. - 1919 Mar.

Ron

Posted

Thank you all for your comments, Im now trying to narrow down what actions he won his MMs for. I think the first is for France & Belgium and the Bar is for Italy.

Thanks again Mutley

Posted

Mutley

Gazettes were:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30209/supplement/7768

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/issue/13333/page/3720

I just searched for '20/190 Johnson'

20th NF diary has him mentioned at the end of June 1917 for good work 5-6 June when the Battalion attacked Greenland Hill - presumably this was a diversion to the attack on the Messines Ridge.

Kind regards

Colin

Posted

Colin

that's great thanks very much, was that on ancestry or something similar?

Mutley

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