Person:Henry Johnson (85)

Henry Andrew Johnson was born at Millers Point, NSW, Australia On the 16th October 1883 to Andrew Johnson and Kate Price. He was the eldest of six children.

On the 22nd of July 1904, Henry married Elsie at St Lawrence, Church of England in Sydney. Information from their marriage certificate shows that at this time Henry was living at 397 Pyrmont St, Sydney, NSW, Australia and employed as a Civil Servant. Henry worked at Customs House in Sydney as a customs officer which may help explain the source of some unusual items that have been passed down through the family. Meanwhile Elsie was living at 77 Fig St, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.

The gardens at Henry and Elsie’s home at 120 Wright Street, Hurstville, were always in good order. The garden included a bird aviary with lots of nice birds, a six foot high (2 metres) hedge right around the house that was dead flat and never appeared to have a leaf out of place. The best tennis court in the St George district was in the back yard, but just because you lived there didn’t mean that you got a game as it was always hired out to tennis players.

Henry was a fanatic dresser, always making sure seams were straight. He had a favourite song that he used to whistle; Moonlight and Roses / by Lemare, Black & Moret and he had 2 dogs, retrievers called Meggsie and Paddy. Henry had sugar diabetes and he died in Hurstville, NSW, Australia on 5th June 1955 from blocked arteries. Elsie died on 27th January 1956 of heart failure in Hurstville, NSW, Australia.

Henry and Elsie had 6 children all girls, so Henry gave them all a boys name as a nickname. For the youngest two girls these names have remained throughout their lives.

1. ↑ Death of Henry Johnson, in New South Wales, Australia. Registry of births, deaths & marriages. (Department of Justice, New South Wales Government)
   9911/1955, 1955.