17/10/1901: 58th Imperial Yeomanry, Major lat 6 Middlesex RV 30/6/1902: VJ to CSRC: Asks for his support in his application for appointment as RM in ORC. I have served in this war continuously since March 1900 (18 months on active service in the field, remainder in your dept). The great improvement in the tone of the people in Kimberley RC during my term was testified to by Col Garstin GOC Kimberley District and others. Previously much trouble had been caused to the military by the unrest and insubordination in the camp. It is my intention to settle in the country with my wife and family. Does not desire to give up his post with you until it suits your convenience.

1. I thought I would share with you the results of my searches on Joseph Viner Johnson the owner of the above levee sword. I gleaned my info from a variety of sources including London Gazette, Roll of the Imperial Yeomanry, Ancestry and of course Google.
   
   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   Joseph Viner Johnson was born around 1846 in the St George Hanover Square district of London.
   
   In 1851, 5 year old Joseph was with his parents, Joseph and Mary at 323 Oxford Street, London. Father Joseph was a hosier.
   
   In the 1871 census had the family living at 7 Craven Villas, Ealing. Joseph, aged 25 was a hosier and unmarried. His parents were Joseph, aged 72, a hosier born St Pancras and Mary, aged 67 from St Martins.
   
   Joseph became an ensign in the 11th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps in April 1871 and was made a lieutenant on the 20th July 1872.
   
   Joseph Viner Johnson married Clara Perry in the June quarter of 1873 in the Brentford district of West London and over time had 4 children.
   
   Lieutenant Joseph Viner Johnson was promoted to Captain on the 15th November 1879 but resigned his commission on the 12th January 1881. During this time the 11th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps St Gerorge's Rifles, was in 1880 renumbered 6th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps
   
   In 1881 census Joseph was aged 35 and his occupation was listed an outfitter. He lived with his family at Boundary Cottage in Hanwell. His wife, Clara, was 28. Hugh, the oldest son was 6 and Percy was 5. daughter, Elsie, was aged 1. (The middle child Percy became a Captain in the Wiltshire Regiment was killed in action in Flanders on March 12th 1915 aged 39.)
   
   After five years as an outfitter Joseph rejoined 6th Middlesex (St. George's) in 1886 when he went from gentleman to Lieutenant (Supernumerary) and promoted to captain on the 12 October 1889.
   
   Joseph was granted the honourary rank of major on the 7th February 1891 and within the year resigns his commission on the 27th February, 1892 and returns to his previous occupation as an Outfitter.
   
   In March 1900 Joseph again re-enlists (forgot to add the the extract from the London Gazette) and served in the second Boer War as part of the 58th 15th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry and from available dates it appears he went over with the first contingent .
   He was promoted to Temp Captain on the 14th February 1901.
   
   His name is recorded in 'The roll of the Imperial Yeomanry, Scottish Horse and Lovats Scouts, 2nd Boer War 1899-1902' by K J Asplin
   
   http://www.britishmedals.us/files/iyj.htm
   
   From March/April 1900 Joseph served 18 months on active service in the field) and became the Camp Superintendent of the Kimberley Concentration Camp (which was located in the Cape Colony) in November 1901 when he replaced Sydney Schutte who was the first civilian superintendent. This is corroborated by the engraving on his headstone where it is etched ‘South Africa 1900-1902’ as well as his name not appearing in the 1901 census.
   
   Joseph relinquishes his commission on the 29th January, 1903.
   
   The 1911 census shows Joseph Vener Johnson living in Lavington. He was aged 65. His wife and daughter Edith were with him.
   
   Joseph died on the 30th May 1914 at the age of 68 and was buried at St Mary’s Market Lavington on 4th June by the Reverend Sturton. Joseph’s address was given as Beech House which is on White street, Market Lavington.
   
   Clara Johnson is also buried in the churchyard at Market Lavington. She was buried on 3rd July 1924 from her home in Exmouth, Devon.
   
   So there you have it.....hope this proved interesting.....I will let you know when more information comes to light.
   
   Kind Regards
   Cam

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
   

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2. 
   
   
   

   10-28-2010, 02:44 AM #13

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   

   Ian Knight

   
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   Very nice research work Cam.
   Ian

   
   

   
   

   
   

   
   
   
   
   
   

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   10-31-2010, 02:57 AM #14

   
   
   
   

http://www.swordforum.com/forums/showthread.php?103171-Rifle-Officers-Levee-Sword-help-with-initials

http://lavington.99k.org/lavington/stmarygraves/vinerjohnson/joseph_viner.htm