Johansen, PTE Johan

Johan Johansen (1890-1962), station hand and soldier, was born in Oslo, Norway, son of Johan Johansen. His father worked as a mechanical engineer. It is unknown when Johansen moved to Australia but upon arrival he began working throughout Western Australia as a station hand.

Johan Johansen enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 31st of January 1917 at the age of 26 and was posted to the 8th Reinforcements, 44th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service in June 1917 and arrived at the front lines in December 1917. On the 25th of June 1918, Johansen was shot in the face and severely wounded. He survived, however and after 6 months recovering in England he was medically discharged to Australia. Whilst in England, he married 23-year-old Laura Hayler from Brixton and together they moved to Australia.

During the war Johansen fought in 3 battles and spent 183 days in the trenches. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge, Wound Stripe, Active Service Badge, 1 Good Conduct Stripe and 1 Long Service Stripe.

Johansen died in 1962 at the age of 72 and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.

Notes

-Tatoo of a woman on his left forearm named “Bertha”

-Married in England on the 2nd of November 1918. Married to Laura Hayler from Brixton who was a spinster. Son of Thomas Hayler, an electrical engineer.

Sources

National Archives of Australia

AIF Project

Record worked on by: Luca Muir Anderson.

Record completed by: Luca Muir Anderson.

Regimental Number:
3298

Subunit:
8th Reinforcements, 44th Battalion

Enlistment Date:
31st of January 1917

Age at Enlistment:
26 Years, 6 Months

Birthplace:
Oslo, Norway

Ethnicity:
Norwegian Australian

Religion:
Church of England

Residence:
Perth, WA (Great Western Hotel)

Height and Measurements:
5"7

Occupation at Enlistment:
Station Hand

Married:
No

Next of Kin:
Father - Johan Johansen (Norway)

Previous Service:
No

Total Service:
31st of January 1917 - 22nd of March 1919

Overseas Service:
29th of June 1917 - 21st of December 1918

Front Line Service:
24th of December 1917 - 25th of June 1918 (183 Days)

Battle Honours:
3: Somme 1918, Ancre 1918, France and Flanders 1916-1918

Casualty:

Yes – Wounded in Action and medically discharged to Australia (25th of June 1918, gunshot wound to the face, 6 months in hospital and medically discharged to Australia)

Awards:
British War Medal, Victory Medal, Silver War Badge, Wound Stripe, Active Service Badge, 1 Good Conduct Stripe and 1 Long Service Stripe