Berry Johnson

George Berry Melton Johnson (6 March 1906 – 28 August 1985) was a New Zealand rower who represented his country at the 1930 British Empire Games.

Berry Johnson
Personal information
Birth nameGeorge Berry Melton Johnson
Born(1906-03-06)6 March 1906
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died28 August 1985(1985-08-28) (aged 79)
Christchurch, New Zealand
OccupationAccountant
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight75 kg (166 lb)[1]
Spouse(s)
Doreen Annie Greene
​
​
(m. 1934; died 1972)​
Sport
CountryNew Zealand
SportRowing
ClubOtago Rowing Club
Medal record
Men's rowing
Representing  New Zealand
British Empire Games
Bronze medal – third place 1930 HamiltonCoxless Fours

Early life and family

Born in Christchurch on 6 March 1906, Johnson was the son of Harry Melton Johnson, a cabinetmaker, and Maggie Smart Johnson (née Mauchlin).[2][3] On 31 March 1934, he married Doreen Annie Greene at Highfield Presbyterian Church, Timaru.[4]

Rowing

A member of the Otago Rowing Club,[1] Johnson was a member of the New Zealand coxless four that competed at the 1930 British Empire Games in Hamilton, Ontario.[5] The crew, which included Vic Olsson, Alex Ross and Charles Saunders, won the bronze medal.[5]

Later life and death

Johnson worked as an accountant.[6] During World War II, he served as a second lieutenant with the 3rd Field Regiment, New Zealand Artillery.[7] His wife died in Dunedin on 20 May 1972.[8] Johnson himself died in Christchurch on 28 August 1985,[6] and his ashes were buried at Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, with those of his wife.[9]

References
  1. "For Empire Games: the oarsmen to get their big opportunity". NZ Truth. 10 April 1930. p. 17. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  2. "Birth search: registration number 1906/11293". Births, deaths & marriages online. Department of Internal Affairs. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  3. "Macdonald dictionary record: Harry Melton Johnson". Canterbury Museum. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  4. "Marriages". The Press. 5 May 1934. p. 1. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  5. "Berry Johnson". New Zealand Olympic Committee. 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  6. "Cemeteries search (cremation): George Berry Melton Johnson". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  7. "New Zealand, World War II appointments, promotions, transfers and resignations, 1939–1945". Ancestry.com Operations. 2014. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  8. "Cemeteries search: Doreen Annie Johnson". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  9. "Cemeteries search (ashes burial): George Berry Melton Johnson". Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 29 May 2017.


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