DEATH OF MR. W. H. JOHNSON
Local Director of Vickers-Armstrongs

Widespread regret will be occasioned by the sudden death at his home in Long-lane, Barrow, early this morning, of Mr. William H. Johnson, M.B.E., Engine Works manager and local director of Vickers-Armstrongs at Barrow.

Mr. Johnson, who was 62 years of age, appeared to be fit and well yesterday when along with Mr. A. A. Jamieson, chairman of Vickers Ltd. and Mr. Hubert Thompson, general manager of Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., he attended an official function held aboard HM Submarine Toledo (sic – should be Teredo), which was being commissioned.

NATIVE OF MILLOM

Although a native of Millom, he was an old boy of Barrow Grammar School, or as it was formerly known, the Higher Grade School.
After leaving School he completed his apprenticeship as a civil and mining engineer with the Millom and Askam Iron Co., Ltd., but when the mines closed down he began work at Barrow Shipyard as a fitter and turner.
He rose rapidly in the company’s service, and 18 years ago became manager of the Engineering and Ordnance Production Departments at the Barrow works.
Consequent on the retirement of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Beeman in 1943, Mr. Johnson was appointed Engine Works Manager and directly responsible to the General Manager for the administration and organisation of all production in the Engineering and Armament Works, including the Jig and Tool Drawing Office.
Associated with submarines for many years, he was recognised as one of the leading experts in the country, and during the Great War was awarded the M.B.E.

BIRD FANCIER

                Mr. Johnson had a great admiration for canaries, perhaps because of their association with the safety of “sub” crews.
                He became well-known throughout England as an expert breeder and fancier of canaries and was a senior judge for leading shows.
                He also took a keen interest in sport, was a follower of Barrow A.F.C., and was instrumental in helping to equip the Holker Street ground.
                Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife and two sons, the elder of whom is assistant works manager at Vickers-Armstrongs Elswick Works, Newcastle.

TRIBUTE BY MANAGING DIRECTOR

                In the general offices after the submarine launch at Barrow to-day Commander Sir Robert Micklam said that he had learned with the deepest regret of the death of Mr. Johnson, a man of courage, determination and of great loyalty to the company.
                He had served the company for 45 years and his death came as a great blow to them all. Mr. Johnson took an active part in the building of every single submarine from the Works, and every officer in the submarine service knew him and admired him.

 

Last tribute To Late Mr. W. H. Johnson

                When the funeral of Mr. W. H. Johnson, M.B.E., Engineering Manager and local director of Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., took place at Dalton yesterday afternoon, the gathering in the Parish Church was the largest the district has seen for many years.
                Mr. Johnson died suddenly at his home early on Saturday.
                Representatives of Vickers Ltd., Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., subsidiary companies, various other firms with whom the deceased was brought into contact during his business career, the Royal Navy, and all sections of Furness life, attended the funeral.  The big contingent from local trades unions was another indication of the general esteem in which the late Mr. Johnson was held.
                The vicar, the Rev. M. Roy Sinker, conducted the funeral service and also officiated at the graveside at Dalton Cemetery.  The hymns “Rock of Ages” and “Abide with Me” were sung, Mr. Allan Harry being the organist.
                Family mourners were: Mrs. Johnson, widow; Mr. and Mrs. W. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. C. Johnson, sons and daughters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Revell, Mr. and Mrs. Wraighte, Mr. and Mrs. Happold, brothers-in-law and sisters; Mrs. Robinson, sister; Mrs. P. Robinson, Mr. W. Birrell, nephews (sic).

FIRM’S REPRESENTATIVES

                Among the representatives of the local works were noticed Commander Sir Robert Micklem, C.B.E., R.N., managing director, Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd., Sir James Callender, director, Vickers Ltd., Mr. H.H. Thompson, general manager, Barrow works and representing Mr. A.A. Jamieson, chairman of Vickers Ltd., Mr. C.W. Moss, shipbuilding manager and local director, Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd., Mr. J.S. Redshaw, naval architect and local director, Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd., Mr. G.M. Dunbar, commercial manager; Messrs E.J. Langtree, J.B. Brown, D. Garry, F. Williams, J. McCallum, G.P. Lancaster, J.P. Mansell, R. Nicholson, L. Redshaw, J.W. Wilkinson, E. Davies, G. Wood, T. Sedgwick, L.D. Parker, E. Beach, E.R. Wood, R.M. Kelly, M. Oldham and S.M. Gardner, (secretary to the deceased).
                Mr. G. Houlden represented Mr. J. M. Ormston, general manager of the Walker Yard, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; Mr. J. Buck represented the Manchester works of Vickers-Armstrongs, Ltd., Mr. C. O. Gran, the English Steel Corporation, Manchester; and Messrs. T. Dooley and H.G. Leivesley, Metropolitan Vickers Ltd., Manchester.
                Among others present were Mr. M.E. Wood (Halifax), representing Messrs. A. Kitchen and S. Gledhill (Halifax), Mr. T.F. Clements (Birmingham), Mr. G.E. Goodwin (Birmingham), Mr. J.R. Thompson (Bonnybridge), Mr. W.A. Hannaby (Birmingham), Mr. A. E. Beresford (Birmingham), Mr. A.W. Foerster (sic) (Birmingham), Mr. T.P. Chew  (Birmingham), Mr. D. Meikle, Mr. and Mrs. N. Dryden (Preston), Mr. N. Wharton (Stockport), Messrs. L. Wincott and A. Leigh (Sheffield), Mr. and Mrs. Walsh (Blackburn), Mr. S. Hodgson (Bradford), Mr. R. W. Asquith (Halifax), Messrs. R.A. Anderson, and J. Singleton (Liverpool), and Mr. J. Curphey.

LOCAL INTERESTS

                Mr. D.L.H. Collinson represented Lloyds; Mr. H. Percival (Messrs James Fisher and Sons), Mr. E.J. Davies and Mr. J.J. Commins (Barrow A.F.C.), Messrs. Danson and Connell (Barrow works committee), Messrs Woods and Whiteside (joint production committee), and Mr. J. Hay (Barrow Shipyard Band).
                Others present included Coun. A. Jones, Mayor of Barrow; Mr. R.W. Clarkson, Deputy Chief Constable of Barrow; Commander T. Parkinson;, Mr. H. Rainey, J.P., Mr. W.R. Marsh, Mr. W. Pears, Mr. F.K. Rogers, Major H. Oughterson, Mr. M. Holmes and Mr. H. Forrest.
                Naval officers present included Lieut.-Commander J.H. Edwards, Resident Naval Officer and Senior Naval Officer, Barrow base; Rear-Admiral Greathed, Captain Ascott, and others. The bearers -Messrs. W.Devonald, E. Wilson, J.Fee, F.Monkman, W.J. Campbell, and D. McKelvie - were from the six main departments of the Barrow engineering works.