During operations by strong patrols, Second Lieutenant Johnson repelled frequent counter-attacks and for six hours, under heavy fire, he held back the enemy.

When at length he was ordered to retire he was the last to leave the advanced position carrying a wounded man.

Three times subsequently this officer returned and brought in badly wounded men under intense enemy machine-gun fire.

In 2018, on the hundredth anniversary of Johnson's VC award, a memorial erected by Widdrington Station and Stobswood Parish Council and Northumberland County Council, and provided by the Department of Communities and Local Government, was unveiled at Widdrington Station.

The County Council defended the location and details on the memorial stone, and referred the matter to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.