A First War Group to the 19th Infantry Battalion; Wounded at St. Eloi

Canada. First War Trio, Private/Corporal George Cutler Johnson, 1914-15 Star (55335 Pte G.C. JOHNSON. 19/CAN:INF:); British War Medal (55335 CPL. G.C. JOHNSON. 19-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (55335 CPL. G.C. JOHNSON. 19-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Un-mounted, original ribbons, contact marks and surface wear, very fine. Footnote: George Cutler Johnson was born on May 7, 1878 in Bournemouth, Hampshire, England. It was later revealed that he was actually born in 1875. He signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (55335) with the 19th Infantry Battalion, on November 10, 1914 in Toronto, Ontario, at the alleged age of 36, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Abigail Johnson of Bournemouth, stating that he belonged to an Active Militia (48th Highlanders of Canada), that he had twelve years' previous service with the 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Bricklayer. He was posted to "B" Company, 4th Brigade. Four days before he signed his Attestation Paper, he was recommended to be promoted to the rank of Corporal, on November 4th. Three months after enlisting, he produced a marriage certificate on February 5, 1915 and not only revealed that he was married but that he had four boys, ranging in age from 8 to 14 years of age. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Toronto, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 36, March 15, 1915. The Battalion sailed on May 13, 1915 aboard the S.S. Scandinavian, with a strength of 41 officers and 1,075 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.J. McLaren, arriving in England on the 22nd. Johnson was confirmed in the rank of Corporal on July 1, 1915 at West Sandling but reverted to the ranks at his own request on August 17th, as he had received his orders to proceed overseas to France with the 19th Infantry Battalion. He arrived in Boulogne, France on September 14th, the 19th Infantry Battalion later serving in France and Belgium with the 4th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. Johnson was buried by a shell explosion on May 14, 1916 at St. Eloi, a month after the Battle of St. Eloi Craters. The explosion caused him to experience deafness. His inability to hear commands clearly was apparent to him but he remained in the trenches and carried on, until July 19th, when he suffered a gun shot wound (shrapnel) to his left cheek, just below the left eye, along with dealing with shell shock. He was initially treated at No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance, then transferred to No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station the same day. After three days, he was stabilized and was transferred to No. 8 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux onJuly 22nd, where he was discharged to Base Details the same day, followed by a posting to No. 3 General Base Depot a week later on the 29th. He began his return to England via the Detention Hospital at Rouelles, Le Havre and due to his "deafness", was then transferred to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Folkestone on August 8th, arriving there on the 11th. In his Medical Report of an Invalid, dated August 13, 1916 at the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre at Folkestone, now age 41, the board filed a report in regards to his deafness. In it, they stated: "He was buried by a shell explosion on May 14th 1916 at St. Eloi. Says he was not deaf before this, but immediately began to hear commands with difficulty, remained in the trenches and carried on until July 19th, when he was wounded below (the) left eye, and was suffering from shell shock. His hearing was becoming more defective and was sent to England for treatment". An additional supporting document was filed by a Canadian Army Medical Corps doctor at West Cliff Canadian Eye and Ear Hospital: "Right ear retracted and thickened, has calcereous deposits. Left ear drum is retracted and thickened. This is a condition of middle ear and nerve deafness pre-existent but aggravated by active service. Prognosis is poor and would advise that he be discharged." Johnson was subsequently checked off by the Medical Board as "Discharge as permanently unfit". He was placed on command at the Canadian Discharge Depot at Bath from August 16th to the 31st. Four days after his Medical Report was finalized, the Pensions and Claim Board of the Canadian Expeditionary Force recommended "1. That this man's discharge be not carried out until he is in receipt of the first payment of the following Pension:-" and " 2. That he be granted a Pension for the period of Six Months under Class 4, at the rate of 40 Per Cent, One Hundred and Ninety Two dollars per annum, under the Pay and Allowances Regulations 1914, as amended by P.C. 1334 of June 3rd 1916." and was signed off as such at Prior Park, Bath on August 17, 1916. Corporal George Cutler Johnson, 19th Infantry Battalion was struck off strength and discharged from active service in England, on August 31, 1916, credited with having served in Canada, England and France. For his First World War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.