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A Royal Canadian Navy Historical Project
In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
JOHNSON, Alfred Harry Beale - an only child, was born on the 7th November 1920 in Summerberry, SK. His parents had emigrated from England in 1907. Unfortunately when he was 4 years old his mother died from cancer. Before he went to secondary school his father decided to move back to Norfolk - so they returned when he was 11 years old in 1931. In 1936, when he was sixteen, he joined the Royal Navy as a boy seaman. He continued to serve in the RN during WW2 and was on board HMS Eskimo when it was torpedoed in the 2nd battle of Narvik in Ofotfjord, Norway. He made three crossings to Dunkirk in 1940. After Dunkirk he went for training, first as an ASDIC operator (Submarine Detector), then an instructor. He was drafted to HMS Nimrod - a land base in Campbeltown on the west coast of Scotland as an ASDIC instructor till he was seconded to the Royal Canadian Navy (O.N. 61784) at the beginning of July 1941. He was a HSD on HMCS Chambly when, with HMCS Moose Jaw, they successfully sank U-501. He was awarded the DSM for his part in the operation. He was in Canada as part of the Anti-submarine team (HMCS Avalon) until July 1943 when he returned as an instructor to Campbeltown. He served in the RN until 1947 when he was invalided out (medically discharged). He was very proud to have served in Canada and to be part of the first Canadian crew to sink a submarine.
Ships served in: HMS ESKIMO HMS NIMROD
(AJ01) SD Johnson, 20 Apr 1941. Note: LS, 1st GC stripe and Marksman Badge (AJ02) Portrait of HSD Johnson, Nov 1941, Note: PO, HSD badge, 1st GC stripe (Square Rig PO) (AJ03) Supplement to the London Gazette, 3 March 1942 - Award of DSM to LS Alfred Harry Beale Johnson, HMCS CHAMBLY (AJ04) HSD Johnson, Nov 1941
(AJ05) Family that Alfred Johnson stayed with in St John's, Newfoundland - the O'Neils (AJ06) Autographs from the survivors of U-501 that were rescued by HMCS CHAMBLY (AJ07) Message on the awarding of the DSM to LS Johnson (AJ08) HMCS CHAMBLY match booklet
(AJ09) Alfred Johnson's RCN ID card (AJ10) Excerpt from the book "The Battle of the Atlantic" by Donald MacIntyre to read the prelude to the action in which HSD Johnson won his DSM.
Photos (below) taken in St. John's, NFLD while Alfred Johnson was drafted to HMCS AVALON
(AJ11) A.H. Johnson (left) and W. Jelly (AJ12) A.H. Johnson (AJ13) St. John's, NFLD. Cabot Tower visible in up left of AJ14 AJ14) St. John's, NFLD (AJ15) W. George (left) and W. Jelly
(AJ16) unknown sailors on dock in St. John's, NFLD - sailor on right wearing a RCNVR cap tally (AJ17) W. George (AJ18) W. Jelly (left) and A.H. Johnson (AJ19) W. Jelly (20) unknown sailors on dock in St. John's, NFLD
(21 ) Authorization card for HSD Johnson to have access to the A/S facilities at St. John's as necessary to repair / replace equipment.
Alfred and Elizabeth (McMaster) Johnston in Campbeltown when Alfred returned after two years in Canada. Alfred married Elizabeth McMaster from Campbeltown whom he met while teaching ASDICs there. They married on Friday 13th June 1941 by special licence one hour before he boarded the ship to Canada. They had four children and enjoyed over 55 years of married life together.
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For Posterity's Sake 
