Johnson, Ralph Percival

2665 Private Ralph Percival Johnson - 51st Battalion AIF

Ralph Percival Johnson was born in Sydney NSW on the 11th October 1888 to Alexander and Lizzie Johnson. There were four other siblings born into the family, Alexander (1887), Ella (1891), Victor (1894) and Ethel (1899).

The family moved to Western Australia in the 1900's and took up residence at 55 Duke Street East Fremantle.

On the 7th June 1916, Ralph enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Force. He was accepted as fit for service with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 6 feet tall;

Weight - 141lbs;

Chest Measurement - 32-34 inches;

Complexion - Ruddy;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Brown.

After his successful enlistment Ralph was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was initially assigned to No.73 Training Depot where he was taken through the basics of infantry work. On the 22nd July 1916 he was then transferred into the 6th Reinforcements to the 51st Battalion AIF. He trained with this group in WA over the next few months.

Their departure orders then arrived and on the 10th October 1916 Fred and his group boarded the transport ship HMAT Argyllshire in Fremantle Harbour and set sail for England, reaching Plymouth on the 2nd December 1916. After being disembarked Ralph and his group were sent to the 13th Training Battalion on the Salisbury Plains.

Ralph only had a few weeks in England as on the 28th December 1916 he boarded a troopship at Folkestone Harbour and set sail for France. After arriving at Etaples he was sent on to join the 51st Battalion, being taken on strength on New Years Day, the 1st January 1917.

The 51st Battalion were then serving on the Somme battlefield in freezing conditions so it was a harsh introduction to trench life for Ralph.

On the 28th February 1917 Fred was admitted to hospital sick, but soon recovered and was back with his unit on the 6th March 1917.

The Germans soon began their withdrawal to their pre-prepared defensive position known as the Hindenburg Line. There were several battles before the Germans reached the Hindenburg Line and on the 2nd April 1917 the 51st Battalion took part in an assault on the French village of Noreuil. Ralph was shot through the wrist and after receiving medical treatment at the 4th Field Ambulance he was sent to No.8 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux. He received further treatment there but was then evacuated to England.

On the 6th April 1917 he was admitted to 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth and spent the next four weeks here undergoing treatment. On the 7th May 1917 he was transferred to Holborn Military Hospital. 

On the 31st May1917 Ralph was released from hospital and given a two week furlough after which time he reported to No.1 Command Depot Camp at Perham Downs. Ralph remained in camp here for the next few months while his health improved.  On the 6th September 1917 he returned to France and after a week at the base depot camp, Ralph rejoined the 51st Battalion on the 14th September 1917.

The 51st Battalion was now in Belgium and Ralph saw action at the Third Battle of Ypres around Polygon Wood, Broodseinde Ridge and Passchendaele in September and October 1917. He survived these actions unscathed. From November 1917 to March 1918, apart from a short stint at Peronne, the 51st Battalion helped to hold the line between Ypres and Messines in Belgium.

On March 21st 1918 the Germans launched a large offensive which broke through the British Army on the Somme front. The Australians including the 51st Battalion were sent south to help stop the German advance. The 51st Battalion were soon in contact with the Germans around the French villages of Albert and Dernancourt. A large battle was fought at Dernancourt and despite large casualties, the Germans were stopped.

The Germans made further attempts to advance most notably when they captured Villers-Bretonneux on April 24th 1918. The 51st Battalion was among the Australian units that recaptured the position. Ralph came through all these actions unscathed and saw out the rest of the war with the 51st Battalion.

After the Armistice the 51st Battalion were sent to Belgium where they were stationed at Namur and Charleroi. He returned to England and on the 21st June 1919 departed for home on the transport ship Kongin Louise. The ship arrived in Fremantle on the 3rd August 1919.

Ralph was discharged from the AIF on the 11th September 1919. Upon his discharge Ralph returned to his family. After he had gone away the family had moved from Duke Street East Fremantle to Stephen Street Beaconsfield.

In 1925 Ralph was living at 29 Thomas Street South Fremantle and was working as a sleeper cutter. He later moved to Pier Street

In 1925 Ralph was living at 29 Thomas Street South Fremantle and was working as a sleeper cutter. He later moved to Pier Street in East Perth. In 1937 he was still working as a sleeper cutter but was living at Chidlow.

Ralph died on the 8th September 1942