Born in Longwarry, Victoria, William Arthur Johnson was a single 20 year old labourer at the time of his enlistment in Ballarat on the 20th of February 1915. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on the 10th of May 1915.
On December 1st 1915, William was promoted to Lance Corporal. He was wounded in action on the 22nd of August 1916 and was invalided to England and admitted to hospital on the 1st of September with a gunshot wound to his left leg.
He rejoined his battalion on the 26th of October 1916.
On the 16th of May 1918, William was wounded for a second time. On the 16th of June he was invalided to the U.K and was admitted to Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol with gunshot wounds to his back, hips, calf and leg on the 17th of June 1918.
William returned to Australia on the 1st of February 1919 and was discharged due to his wounds on the 26th of March 1919.

Tree No. 1576