Ivan JOHNSON
Born 17 January 1906 in Claremont, Western Australia [P31]
Son of Walter Charles JOHNSON and Harriet BRIDGMAN [P1]
Educated at the Guildford Grammar School in the Perth suburb of Guildford [5: 27-Jun-1941]
As a child he spent some his school holidays staying with the BOWMAN family on their The Home Farm in Carnamah [P31]
Following his schooling he worked for four years at the National Bank in Perth [120: 17-Oct-1935]
His father purchased him farmland in Winchester and he worked for John BOWMAN in Carnamah to gain farming knowledge [P31]
Farmer of Avalon Farm on the south side of the Winchester East Road in Winchester 1924-1930 [P28]
The farm was 1,500 acres in size and consisted of adjacent Lots M1310 and M1432 of Victoria Location 2023 [3]
The origin of the farm's name of Avalon is unknown, but was believed to refer to the word's meaning of "Heaven on Earth" [P69]
Attended the Grand Plain & Fancy Dress Ball held in the Carnamah Hall on 6 August 1925 dressed as a "Parson" [9: 21-Aug-1925]
Won a prize for his costume at the Carnamah Girls Club's Fancy Dress Ball at the Carnamah Hall on 21 August 1926 [39: 7-Sep-1926]
He was said to have been a very good looking man [P9]
Married "Vi" Violet Nasmyth BOWMAN on 5 April 1927 at The Homestead on her father's The Home Farm in Carnamah [P31]
Had an account with Carnamah blacksmith, wheelwright and motor mechanics Henry Parkin & Son in the 1920s and 1930s [53]
Secretary of the Winchester Sports Picnic Meeting in 1927 and 1928 [4: 10-Dec-1927, 14-Jan-1928]
Member of the Winchester Tennis Club in 1927-28 [4: 12-Nov-1927] [9: 23-Mar-1928]
Secretary of the Winchester Sports Ground Committee in 1928 [4: 1-Sep-1928]
Attended the Massey Harris Wallis tractor demonstration held on Gregorfields Farm in Winchester on 31 January 1929 [4: 2-Feb-1929]
He was among those who attended the Centenary Ball held at the Carnamah Hall on 26 July 1929 [86: 3-Aug-1929]
The Centenary Ball was to celebrate 100 years since the founding of Perth and the establishment of the Swan River Colony [86]
He and his wife attended the Plain & Fancy Dress Ball held in Carnamah on 8 August 1929 as "Italian Gipsies" [4: 17-Aug-1929]
Won 1st prize for a Sheaf of Wheat for Hay in the Grain & Fodder section of the Carnamah Agricultural Show in 1929 [4: 28-Sep-1929]
Attended the Grand Ball following the Carnamah Show and opening of Centenary Park on 19 September 1929 [4: 28-Sep-1929]
After attending the Royal Show in Perth he returned to Winchester on Sunday 13 October 1939 [4: 19-Oct-1929]
Purchased a new H type Ford truck from Carnamah dealer Rupert LAFFAN in October 1929 [4: 19-Oct-1929]
Three months later, in January 1930, purchased a Ford sports roadster car from local dealer Rupert LAFFAN [4: 18-Jan-1930]
In 1930 leased his Avalon Farm to James L. ADAMS and began working for his father-in-law John BOWMAN [P28]
Manager of his father-in-law's The Home Farm in Carnamah in 1930 when John BOWMAN took a trip to Scotland [P28]
Farmhand for his father-in-law John BOWMAN on The Home Farm in Carnamah 1931-1933 [P31] [P9]
Resided at Lockington House on Lot M1017 of The Home Farm off the Carnamah-Perenjori Road in Carnamah 1930-1933 [P31]
Won the "Motor Car Event" in the Ring Events section of the Carnamah Agricultural Show on 18 September 1930 [4: 27-Sep-1930]
From 1931 to 1937 he was telephone number Carnamah-5D [60]
Had registered with the Carnamah District Road Board a Ford car with licence plate CA-21 in 1932 [4: 12-Nov-1932]
In 1933 [P31] took over the garage Harry ZUEGG had been running [P28] from rented premises at 17 Macpherson Street, Carnamah [P9]
Proprietor and Manager of "The Farm Service Station" in Carnamah from 1933 until 1937 [P1]
Resided in The House on the Hill on Charles ROBERTSON's Woodbine Farm in Carnamah 1933-1937 [P31]
The Farm Service Station specialised in repairs and reconditioning of farm machinery [P1]
Undertook motor repairs, oxywelding, metal turning, battery charging and blacksmith and wheelwright work [5: 8-Jun-1934, 20-Mar-1936]
His Farm Service Station was telephone number Carnamah-24 and P.O. Box 72 at the Carnamah Post Office [5: 4-Jan-1935] [60]
Advertised his business in the Schedule of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society's Annual Show in 1933 [13]
"Farm Service Station, Carnamah. We can materially assist you to reduce costs and invite any inquiries." [13]
"Repairs of Every Description, Oxywelding and Metal Turning." [13]
"Re-Building of Shafts and Bearings a Specialty. Bearing Re-Metalled ad Batteries Re-Charged." [13]
"Our connection with the best city firms enables us to gave competitive quotes for Machinery Shafting, Automotive Spares [13]
and Accessories, Car and Radio Batteries, Tyres and Electrical Repairs, Ball and Roller Bearings, Cylinder and Crankshaft [13]
Grinding. It will pay you to consult us in all your mechanical problems. I. Johnson - Proprietor." [13]
In 1933 united with other garage proprietors in the North Midlands urging locals to purchase spare parts from local garages [5: 8-Sep-1933]
Placed weekly advertisements in The North Midland Times [5: 9-Feb-1934, 23-Mar-1934, 25-May-1934, 10-Aug-1934, 26-Oct-1934, 19-Apr-1935, 5-Mar-1937]
Held an exhibit of engineering, welding and blacksmithing work of his Farm Service Station at the 1934 Carnamah Show [5: 14-Sep-1934]
In June 1934 took over the garage in Commercial Street, Coorow which became a branch of his Farm Service Station [5: 29-Jun-1934]
Successful tenderer to supply and erect a new windmill in Coorow town for the Carnamah District Road Board in 1934 [5: 21-Sep-1934]
Also during the year 1934 he opened the "Carnamah Accessory and Agency Company" at 17 Macpherson Street, Carnamah [P28]
His new business was in premises adjoining S. L. HIDDEN's store and was on the west side of Mackie's Building [4: 15-Dec-1934]
From his Accessory and Agency Company he sold a variety of motor vehicle and bicycle accessories and supplies [P28] [7: page 35]
On Sunday 9 December 1934 the premises of S. L. HIDDEN and his Accessory and Agency Company were destroyed by fire [5]
He suffered a financial loss of £400 pounds from the fire due to his insurance not yet being transferred to the premises [4: 15-Dec-1934]
Also lost were the account and business books for his garage and the local Agricultural Society, of which he was secretary [5]
As he had lost his account books from his garage he suffered further financial loss by not knowing who owed him money [P9]
In the next edition of The North Midland Times newspaper he put in a notice thanking those who attempted to fight the fire [5]
In the notice he also informed the clients of his Farm Service Station that he would have to operate on a strictly cash only basis [5]
Under the heading of "Death to the Rabbits" advertised Barclay Poison Bates which were effective and harmless to stock [5: 4-Oct-1935]
In early December 1935 installed an up-to-date 4-ton hydraulic hoist at his Farm Service Station in Carnamah [5: 6-Dec-1935]
Advertised his business in The North Midland Times in 1935 and 1936 under the line of Farm Service Station For Superior Service [5]
Supplied, installed and repaired all farm requirements including Holt caterpillar tractors, Bedford and G.M.C. trucks, [5: 7-Feb-1936]
Oldsmobile and Vauxhall cars, cornsacks and superphosphate, windmills, tanks, troughing, fencing, motor and mechinery oils, [5]
spare parts for every type of vehicle, and undertook all classes of blacksmithing and wheelwright work [5: 6-Dec-1935, 22-May-1936]
Repaired broken parts and worn shafts with immediate service and unqualified workmanship [5: 20-Nov-1936]
Agent for diesel and kerosene Holt 'Caterpillar' tractors and a full range of Shearer farm implements in 1937 [5: 14-May-1937, 4-Jun-1937]
Agent in Carnamah for H. J. Wigmore & Co Ltd until 1937 when he sold the agency to Eric H. GURR [0: image 02881]
Attached metal pegs to plates to label the denominations, rows and numbers of the Winchester Cemetery in June 1937 [5: 18-Jun-1937]
In 1937 moved from the house on ROBERTSON's farm to a rented house [P31] at 13 Caron Street in Carnamah [P69]
The Carnamah District Road Board granted permission for him to erect a garage at his rental home in May 1937 [5: 21-May-1937]
Vacated the garage he rented at 17 Macpherson Street and ran a garage from his backyard in Caron Street 1937-1939 [P28]
His phone number continued to be number Carnamah-24 at his garage in his backyard [60]
The garage premises he had occupied at 17 Macpherson Street were taken over by William A. HEINZ in August 1937 [5: 27-Aug-1937]
Agent for Lan-O-Leen in 1937, which was an arsenal sheep dip with a natural wool grease base [5: 6-Aug-1937]
Sold Lan-O-Leen for £1/3/6 per gallon, which diluted in water was enough to make up 450 gallons of dip [5: 3-Sep-1937]
Saw in the new year of 1930 with the singing of Auld Lang Syne at the Church of England's Dance at the Carnamah Hall [86: 4-Jan-1930]
Became a member of the Carnamah Masonic Lodge No.150 WAC on 12 September 1930[96]
Represented his father-in-law at the funeral of Donald MACPHERSON at the Winchester Cemetery on 14 August 1931 [4: 22-Aug-1931]
Member of the Carnamah Literary and Debating Society in 1932 [5: 16-Sep-1932]
Member of Carnamah's branch of the Wheatgrowers' Union in 1932 [4: 13-Feb-1932]
Attended a large meeting in Three Springs to form a North Midlands Chamber of Commerce on 18 November 1932 [4: 26-Nov-1932]
Member of John BOWMAN's XI who competed against the Carnamah Cricket Club at the opening of the 1932-33 season [5: 21-Oct-1932]
Member of Carnamah's branch of the Primary Producers Association - was Secretary in 1932 and 1933 [5: 1-Dec-1933] [120:13-Oct-1932]
Attended the meeting of wheatgrowers on the Wheat Hold-up issue at the Carnamah Hall on Sunday 4 December 1932 [5: 9-Dec-1932]
Vice Captain of the Carnamah Tennis Club from 1932-33 to 1936-37 [5: 21-Oct-1932, 13-Oct-1933, 10-Aug-1934, 16-Aug-1935, 24-Jul-1936]
Represented the Carnamah Tennis Club at meetings of the Carnamah-Winchester-Coorow Tennis Association in 1933 [4: 4-Feb-1933]
Repaired the holes in the nets for the Carnamah Tennis Club in December 1935 [5: 6-Dec-1935]
Himself and three others from the Club travelled to Geraldton on 26 November 1936 to inspect potential new courts [5: 27-Nov-1936]
Representative on the Carnamah-Winchester-Coorow Tennis Association in 1936-37 and 1937-38 [5: 29-Jan-1937, 24-Dec-1937]
Received a special mention at the opening of the Club's new colas courts at Centenary Park in Carnamah on 31 January 1937 [5]
He had prepared costing figures, laid out the courts and been actively involved at working bees to construct the courts [5: 5-Feb-1937]
On 9 February 1933 attended the meeting in Carnamah at which Federal Member A. E. GREEN, M.H.R. was entertained [5: 17-Feb-1933]
Attended the Coorow-Waddy Agricultural Show at Maley Park in Coorow on Thursday 7 September 1933 [5: 15-Sep-1933]
He convened a public meeting on Bulk Handling at the Carnamah Hall at 8 p.m. on Tuesday 26 September 1933 [5: 22-Sep-1933]
Travelled to Winchester to help look for missing school teacher Arthur JACKSON on the morning of 14 November 1933 [5: 17-Nov-1933]
Member of the Carnamah Repertory Club 1933-1939 [5: 28-Jul-1933, 7-May-1937] [489]
Vice President from 1933 to 1936, and President in 1937 [5: 28-Jul-1933, 13-Apr-1934, 22-Mar-1935, 10-Apr-1936, 7-May-1937]
Played the Sergeant in the play "Wayside Wars" at the Carnamah Repertory Club's 2nd Concert on 30 November 1933 [5: 1-Dec-1933]
Played Mr Hastings in the play "Another Pair of Spectacles" at the Carnamah Repertory Club's Concert on 25 July 1935 [5: 26-Jul-1935]
Performed at the Club's Social Evening & Play Presentation at the Carnamah Hall on Wednesday 17 June 1936 [5: 19-Jun-1936]
Played Archie Jenkins in the play "Almost a Funeral" at the Club's Social on Friday 2 October 1936 [5: 9-Oct-1936]
Played Richard Warner in the play "Enter the Author" at the Club's Concert on Wednesday 9 December 1936 [5: 11-Dec-1936]
Admirably produced the comedic play "Meet the Family" at the Club's Concert in Carnamah on 20 August 1937 [5: 27-Aug-1937]
Helped search for and find an Aboriginal girl who went missing from a camp near DIAMOND's farm on 1 December 1933 [5: 8-Dec-1933]
Attended the Carnamah Tennis Club's Dance held at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 9 December 1933 [5: 15-Dec-1933]
Member of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society - was Secretary 1933-1936[5: 26-Apr-1935, 5-Mar-1937] [13]
Following the loss of the Society's records he was one of four members who drew up new rules and regulations in 1935 [5]
Carnamah Distributor of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society's Show Schedules in 1935 [5: 9-Aug-1935]
In 1935 when he only drew £5 of his £15 allowance as secretary he was given an honorarium of £10/10/- [5: 22-Nov-1935]
He was an efficient secretary and was socially popular which had assisted the society over his four years as secretary [5: 5-Mar-1937]
Sold his Ford Roadster car to local dealer Rupert LAFFAN in January 1934 [5: 19-Jan-1934]
Attended the Carnamah Tennis Club's Flannel Dance held at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 3 February 1934 [5: 9-Feb-1934]
Attended the Dance conducted by the Carnamah Toc H at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 24 February 1934 [5: 2-Mar-1934]
Attended the Farewell Social to Miss Doris MCLEAN at BERRIGAN's home in Carnamah on Wednesday 11 April 1934 [5: 13-Apr-1934]
Attended the Carnamah Golf Club's Opening Season Dance at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 21 April 1934 [5: 27-Apr-1934]
Attended the Carnamah Football Club's Smoke Social held in Carnamah on Thursday 26 April 1934 [5: 4-May-1934]
On Saturday 12 May 1934 attended the Carnamah Football Club's Grand Opening Ball at the Carnamah Hall [5: 18-May-1934]
Attended the Dance held at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday 30 June 1934 to raise funds for Church organ repairs [5: 6-Jul-1934]
Attended the Repertory Social, of plays, community singing and dancing, held in Carnamah on 15 August 1934 [5: 17-Aug-1934]
Attended the funeral of Mrs Christina B. D. FORRESTER of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 31 August 1934 [4: 8-Sep-1934]
In early November 1934 he was reported to be suffering from an injury to his shoulder [5: 2-Nov-1934]
Wrote to the Carnamah District Road Board in November 1934 about wild turnip in the Carnamah district [5: 23-Nov-1934]
Competitor in the Parkinson Tennis Club's Open Championship Tournament in Carnamah on Tuesday 1 January 1935 [5: 21-Dec-1934]
Proposed one of the toasts at the Farewell Social held in Carnamah on 17 January 1935 for chemist Douglas WALDBY [5: 8-Feb-1935]
Accompanied by his father-in-law John BOWMAN travelled from Carnamah to Perth on Wednesday 6 February 1935 [5: 8-Feb-1935]
Committee Member of the Carnamah Football Club in 1935 [5: 19-Apr-1935]
Member of the Carnamah Golf Club in 1935, 1936 and 1937 [5: 17-May-1935, 3-Jul-1936, 2-Jul-1937]
Vice President of the Carnamah Rifle Club in 1935 and 1936 [5: 12-Jul-1935, 17-Jul-1936]
Attended the Carnamah Rifle Club's Opening Shoot for the 1935 season over the 200 yard range on 18 August 1935 [5: 23-Aug-1935]
Member on the Carnamah District Road Board representing the Town Ward in 1935-36[7: page 111]
At the end of his term he didn't seek re-election and was replaced by Carnamah farmer Roger W. CLARK [5: 10-Apr-1936]
Following the expiration of his term received a letter of thanks for his services from the Carnamah District Road Board [5: 24-Apr-1936]
Motored from Carnamah to Perth on Monday 23 September 1935 [5: 27-Sep-1935]
Attended a meeting about Wireless Interference in Carnamah on Wednesday 23 October 1935 [5: 1-Nov-1935]
The main purpose of the meeting was about offsetting the cost of engine suppressors installed to combat local radio interference [5]
While cutting a piece of steel at his Farm Service Station on Tuesday 5 November 1935 a piece flew off and entered his thigh [5]
He was taken to the Carnamah Private Hospital where the steel was removed [5: 8-Nov-1935]
One of twelve who attended the Annual Meeting of the Carnamah District Agricultural Society on 15 November 1935 [5: 22-Nov-1935]
Among those who met with the Commonwealth Grants Commission in Carnamah and Coorow on 21 November 1935 [5: 22 & 29-Nov-1935]
Motored to Perth on Monday 16 December 1935 and returned to Carnamah on Wednesday morning 18 December 1935 [5: 20-Dec-1935]
Attended the funeral of Miss "May" Mary L. LANG of Carnamah at the Winchester Cemetery on 26 November 1935 [5: 29-Nov-1935]
Member of the Carnamah Cricket Club in 1935-36 - played for "Carnamah Blues"[5: 6-Mar-1936]
Competed in the Parkinson Tennis Club's New Year Tennis Tournament in Carnamah on Wednesday 1 January 1936 [5: 3-Jan-1936]
Attended the Wedding Social & Dance for Stuart and May FORD at Koolabba Farm in Carnamah on 25 January 1936 [5: 31-Jan-1936]
Pallbearer at the funeral of Carnamah agent William B. SHERIDAN at the Winchester Cemetery on 27 January 1936 [5: 31-Jan-1936]
Attended the Valedictory Social & Dance tendered to Harold N. HARVEY at the Carnamah Hall on 10 March 1936 [5: 13-Mar-1936]
During the evening spoke on behalf of the Carnamah Repertory Club, and presented the guest of honour with an inscribed razor [5]
After a visit to Perth he returned to Carnamah on Wednesday night 18 March 1936[5: 20-Mar-1936]
Played for the combined Carnamah-Parkinson tennis team against Winchester-Waddy-Coorow on Sunday 5 April 1936 [5: 3-Apr-1936]
Motored from Carnamah to Perth on Monday 4 May 1936 [5: 8-May-1936]
Member of the Carnamah Ratepayers & Citizens Association in 1936 [5: 12-Jun-1936]
Master of Ceremonies at the Farewell Dance tendered to the BREWER family at the Carnamah Hall on Friday night 5 June 1936 [5]
He spoke on behalf of the Carnamah Repertory Club and made a presentation to Miss "Billee" Adeline M. BREWER [5: 12-Jun-1936]
Member of the Carnamah Badminton Club - was Captain in 1936 [5: 26-Jun-1936]
Himself, his father-in-law John BOWMAN and Thomas J. BUCKINGHAM caught the train to Perth on 30 June 1936 [5: 3-Jul-1936]
Motored from Carnamah to Perth accompanied by Mrs Millie G. LEITHHEAD on Monday 3 August 1936 [5: 7-Aug-1936]
Played in the Carnamah Masonic Lodge's Inaugural Annual Golf Meeting in Carnamah on Saturday 1 August 1936 [5: 7-Aug-1936]
Master of Ceremonies at the Carnamah Girls Club's "A Night in Iceland" at the Carnamah Hall on 15 August 1936 [5: 21-Aug-1936]
Attended the last ever general meeting of the Carnamah Race Club in Carnamah on Tuesday 8 September 1936 [5: 18-Sep-1936]
Those present resolved to disband the already in recess Race Club and donate all of its money to the Carnamah Athletic Club [5]
Motored to Perth with his wife and children on Tuesday 15 December 1936 to attend his sister's wedding [5: 18-Dec-1936]
Competitor in the Parkinson Tennis Club's Tennis Tournament held in Carnamah on New Year's Day 1 January 1937 [5: 8-Jan-1937]
Himself, his father-in-law John BOWMAN and Charles ROBERTSON motored to Perth on Tuesday 12 January 1937 [5: 15-Jan-1937]
Men's Champion of the Carnamah Tennis Club's Tennis Tournament on Foundation Day 1 February 1937 [5: 5-Feb-1937]
The tournament comprised the first matches to be played on the Carnamah Tennis Club's new courts at Centenary Park [5]
Motored from Carnamah to Perth on Monday 8 February 1937 [5: 12-Feb-1937]
He was accompanied by Josephine M. FITZGERALD, Andrew G. FITZGERALD and "Teddy" Edward H. EDWARDS [5]
Returned to Carnamah on 14 February 1937 accompanied by Thomas F. PATERON and Cyril J. T. MARTYN [5: 19-Feb-1937]
Competed in the Carnamah Tennis Club's Easter Tennis Tournament at Centenary Park in Carnamah in March 1937 [5: 2-Apr-1937]
Along with his fellow members conducted the Carnamah Repertory Club's Social Evening on Friday 25 June 1937 [5]
He produced the play "Three Parts Bad" and played the part of the Ghost in "The Ghost of Marley Hall" [5: 2-Jul-1937]
Master of Ceremonies at the Valedictory Social for William H. & Eva M. MOORE at the Carnamah Hall on 31 July 1937 [5: 6-Aug-1937]
Master of Ceremonies at the Military Ball held at the Carnamah Hall on Saturday night 12 August 1939 [4: 19-Aug-1939]
In March 1939 a militia unit was formed at Carnamah which was a part of the motorised 25th Light Horse Machine Gun Regiment [P15]
Owing to his experience as an Army Cadet at school [P31] and after undertaking a course in Perth he was appointed Lieutenant[P15]
In 1939 received the highest honours in the state in an examination for a military commission [4: 29-Jul-1939]
Lieutenant of No. 2 Troop of the "C" Squadron of the 25th Light Horse Machine Gun Regiment in 1939 [P15]
Initially they trained in Carnamah once a fortnight and were later based full time at camps in Rockingham and Canning Weir [P15]
Enlisted in the Australian Army in Perth on 1 May 1940 [16]
Captain WX1592 in the Australian Army's 2/16 Australian Infantry Battalion during the Second World War [16]
Killed in Action on 9 June 1941 in the Middle East; buried Sidon War Cemetery, Lebanon [16] [17] [18]
Word of his death was received in Carnamah on the morning of Monday 22 June 1941 [0: image 04025]
Two tributes to his memory appeared in The North Midland Times, which was produced in Carnamah, on 27 June 1941 [5: 27-Jun-1941]
The tributes were from his friends Charlie & Winnie ROBERTSON and Jim & Edith ADAMS, and the Carnamah Tennis Club [5]
His name appears on Carnamah's Roll of Honour and on the Carnamah War Memorial [35]
Father of Jean, Dick, Pam and Douglas [P31]
From The North Midland Times newspaper, Friday 16 February 1934:
The Farm Service Station - Complete Engineering Service Offered by Efficient Plant and Competent Staff
"Recent additions to both the plant and personnel of the Farm Service Station, Carnamah, have greatly increased the scope and efficiency of their work until now they claim to have the best equipped garage north of Perth. A representative of the Ford Motor Co. recently told the proprietor (Mr. I. Johnson) that their plant is better than anything of its kind in Geraldton. The service offered covers mechanical and electrical work to motor vehicles and tractors; blacksmithing and wheel work; fitting, turning and screw cutting work, very modern lathes are included in the plant; welding of every description; battery charging; repairs to farm machinery; and a spare part and accessory stock. Mr. Alan Heales, an R.A.C. certified foreman, who joined the staff this week, will be in charge of the mechanical repair work to motor vehicles. The latest installation is a battery charging plant, which was put into operation Wednesday night. It is the latest plant obtainable, being manufactured in W.A. by A. C. McCallum and Co. It is operated on the town electric supply and transformed it down to the 6-8 voltage. It is automatic in action, the amperage being gradually reduced as the batter becomes charged, until stops when the battery is fully charged, thereby eliminating risk of overcharge. Batteries will now be charged in 24 hours from time of delivery at the Service Station. The plant will also be used for electrical tests. Two new additions to the plant have been the fitting of a break down truck, and a portable welding plant, which can be wheeled about wherever required. The enterprise on the part of the proprietor (Mr. Ivan Johnson) in providing such an efficient plant and competent staff, (which now number five), is worthy of every recognition by the district. It is to be hoped that the expenditure of his capital in the town in this manner both in plant and in labour, which all adds to the progress of the town, will reap its just reward."
From The Western Mail newspaper, Thursday 17 October 1935:
Victoria Agricultural Districts - Carnamah Area
"Mr. Ivan Johnson, Carnamah's progressive honorary secretary of the district Agricultural Society, is a native of Claremont, Western Australia. He was educated at the Guildford Grammar School, and later secured a cadetship with the National Bank, Perth, where he was employed for four years. Having a liking for an open-air life he resigned his position at the National Bank to acquire a farming property of 1,500 acres at Winchester. In addition to his farming proposition, Mr. Johnson established and conducts the Farm Service Station and Engineering Works at Carnamah. Mr. Johnson is a member of the Carnamah Road Board, a prominent and active member of most of the sporting bodies of the district, and is generally voted by the community as one of Carnamah's outstanding citizens."
From The North Midland Times newspaper, Friday 27 June 1941:
Vale Captain Ivan Johnson
"Another wave of sadness swept over the Carnamah district on Monday morning, when the flying of the Union Jack, at half mast, heralded the news that Captain Ivan Johnson had paid the supreme sacrifice. Educated at the Guildford Grammar School he came to this district about eighteen years ago and played an important part in the public life of the town and district. He gave unselfishly of his time and ability to practically every organisation in Carnamah, holding official positions in the Agricultural Society, Tennis Club, Presbyterian Church and Repertory Club, also being a playing member of the football club a number of years ago. The late Captain Johnson was given command of Carnamah's first Militia Unit and put in a lot of strenuous work organising and training the unit to a high standard. He joined the A.I.F. about 15 months ago and by hard work and ability he soon attained the rank of Captain. He was held in high esteem by the members of his own company and the loss of their leader will be sadly felt. A widow and family of two daughters, Jean and Pam., and two sons Dick and Douglas (who was born after his father sailed for overseas) are left to mourn their loss, and to them and to his parents and to all those who were near and dear to him, we extend our sincere sympathy at their sad loss."
| Reference: Carnamah Historical Society & Museum and North Midlands Project, 'Ivan Johnson' in Biographical Dictionary of Coorow, Carnamah and Three Springs, retrieved 21 December 2024 from www.carnamah.com.au/bio/ivan-johnson [reference list] |
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