Biography - Reginald Johnson [1902-1995] - Local Historian
by SLHS on
Friday 11 September 2020
Reginald Johnson was a history teacher at the Somercotes Secondary Modern School and a local historian. Although he died before the Somercotes Local History Society was founded it would be true to state that Reginald is the father of Alfreton and District local history. His seemingly lifelong obsession with the history of the area culminated in the publication of “A History of Alfreton” in 1968, which focussed on the history of what was then the Alfreton Urban District. His research must have taken many years, and in the days long before personal computers, the internet and digitised records must have involved a great deal of travelling and the writing of many letters. His work is still often quoted today in many websites and articles covering Alfreton, Somercotes and Riddings, and of course, by the Somercotes Local History Society. Local historians have much to thank Reginald for, although his efforts in obtaining historical facts and documents were not always successful. In his book he recounts a conversation he had with Mr. Palmer-Morewood of Alfreton Hall who admitted to him that he had burnt “barrow-loads of musty old papers.” The book is full of insight into Reginald’s own connection with the history of the area which can be perceived in such personal stories such as that told about the Sleetmoor Windmill, when he relates the following: “More than 50 years ago the writer felt a boyish thrill, still remembered, as, riding in a gig with his father along Derby road, between the Horsewash and the Toll Bar Cottage, he saw the whirling sails of the Windmill, where Sleetmoor House now stands.” Much of the area that he wrote about has already changed considerably since his book was published.
Reginald was born in Shirland on 26 September 1902 and baptised at St. Leonard’s, Shirland on 2 November. His father Samson worked as a hewer at one of the many local collieries. At the time of the census return of 1911 Reginald lived with his father Samson and mother Emily, along with several siblings at New Higham, Shirland.
Although not much is known about his early life Reginald must have had some encouragement to pursue an academic career, instead of following his father into the mines like so many children at that time. Reginald studied and became a Certificated Schoolmaster, probably teaching in Shirland or another local school.
On 3 July 1926 Reginald married Nelly Walker at St. Leonard’s, Shirland. Nelly was born on 19 February 1902 and was the daughter of a farmer. The marriage certificate states that Reginald’s father was no longer a hewer working underground, but was employed as a lamp-keeper, probably at the same colliery and almost certainly due to the fact that he could no longer perform the physical tasks required to work at the coal face.
In January 1933 the Somercotes Modern School was opened, which under the Education Act of 1944 was then renamed the Somercotes Secondary Modern School. It seems likely that Reginald applied for a post at this new school in time for its opening. There is no documentary evidence to support this, but by the time the 1939 Register was taken for the National Identity Card programme Reginald and Nellie lived at 61, Quarry Road, Somercotes and his occupation was recorded as an Elementary Certificated Schoolmaster. The school itself was separated into two distinct halves; one operating as a boys school and other a girls school. Reginald taught history at the boys school, where he remained until his retirement. His teaching style must have been infectious. Despite the fact that he taught history to teenage boys whose only future prospect in the main was to find employment in the local collieries or the ironworks, those who were taught by him never seemed to have a bad word to say about him and it is possible that Reginald’s love for local history generated some interest in the subject.
PHOTO: The staff of Somercotes Secondary Modern School, thought to date from the 1950s. Reginald Johnson is standing, extreme right.
His wife, Nelly died on 8 October 1943 at Somercotes. The couple must have still had many friends and family in Shirland, and Nelly was buried in the churchyard there just three days after her death.
Reginald remarried during the first quarter of 1944. Annie Atkins was a widow, born on 24 October 1912. She had been married to Herbert George Atkins who had previously died in 1941. After the marriage the couple continued to live at Quarry Road, Somercotes.
It is probable that Reginald’s love of local history began early in his life. Given that he had a full-time career and a family, it is not surprising that his research must have taken many years. This can be seen in an article published in the Ripley & Heanor News on 8 January 1954: “Wesley Guild — The speaker at the literary evening this week was Mr. R. Johnson, Somercotes, whose subject was ‘Local History.' Mr. Johnson told a fascinating story of the time when the parishes of Pentrlch and Ripley were owned by the Abbot of Darley, and recounted many Interesting events which took place during the reign of William the Conqueror, which he Illustrated with excerpts from the Domesday Book. He also included stories about Wingfield Manor and Codnor Castle, and members were sorry that time did not permit them to hear more of the tales of bygone days. Mr. H. Lewis presided and thanked Mr. Johnson warmly for a very enjoyable evening.” What is perhaps the most interesting part of the article is that Reginald talked about places that are not mentioned in his book, implying that his research and local knowledge covered a much greater area than just the Alfreton Urban District.
After Reginald retired from teaching in the early 1960s he continued to live on Quarry Road, Somercotes. It is known that he lived there in 1986, when he spoke at a meeting to oppose the planned Somtherfly Opencast Coal site, using the argument that most of the coal had been extracted over the previous millennia [in fact in this case Reginald turned out to be incorrect as some two million tons of coal were eventually extracted]. Sometime shortly after this Reginald and his wife Annie moved to the Isle of Wight. He died there in 1995, at the age of 93 years, and Annie died in 1996.
Reginald will, though, forever be remembered for the publication of his book “A History of Alfreton”, published in 1968. In the Foreword to his work he explained his research and the layout of the book, also stating: “When the author of this present work began his study of Alfreton history, there was considerable difficulty in tracing the necessary documentary evidence, which had evidently become widely dispersed. The only substantial collection lay in the muniments room of Alfreton Hall, but for many years the writer failed to obtain the late Mr. Palmer-Morewood’s co-operation in compiling the history he hoped to write. A similar appeal to the late Mr. C. A. M. Oakes more than thirty years ago met with a ready and generous response, and to Mr. Oakes, the public and writer in particular owe a debt of gratitude.” Reginald dedicated the book to Charles A. M. Oakes for this reason. No history of the old Alfreton Urban District or the current parish of Somercotes could ever be researched without drawing on Reginald’s work and his lifetime passion. The Somercotes Local History Society in particular owe a debt to him which, sadly, can never be repaid.