Herbert Johnson was a Detective Sergeant in the Wiltshire Constabulary who volunteered in 1942 for the commandos. His first service number corresponds with those attending the 2nd Police Intake on 23 July 1942 at the Commando Depot (Commando Basic Training Centre), Achnacarry. There is then a gap in our knowledge of his service until 4 December 1943 when he completed officer training at an Officer Cadet Training Unit and was commissioned Second Lieutenant.
On 17 March 1944 at 03.45hrs Lieutenant Herbert Johnson died of illness at the Military Hospital, Buchanan, Stirling. The Register of Deaths records his details as "(Detective Sergeant, Police Force) Lieutenant KOY Light Infantry (attached Commandos)" and his cause of death as "chronic interstitial nephritis". His name is recorded on the Westminster Abbey Commando Roll of Honour and on the Wiltshire Constabulary WW2 Roll of Honour. Son of Herbert and Emily Johnson, of Barnsley; husband of Irene Johnson, of Bemerton, Salisbury.
Sources
Commission - London Gazette 36343, page 464.
CWGC Grave Registration Report Final.
Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/5
Westminster Abbey Commando Roll of Honour file ref. National Archives DEFE/2/843.
Register of Deaths District of Buchananan, Stirling, ref 474/1/3.
Report in the Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser 31 January 1942.
Notes
The CWGC does not show a Commando Unit. Their Grave Registration report shows Commando Basic Training Centre, KOYLI. This would be correct if he died in training or was a member of staff. Some of those from the Police Intakes to the CBTC remained on the staff after training. Service record required for further clarification.