Second-Lieut Johnson Hugh Linsell, 1st Battalion Middlesex Regt, was killed in action leading his platoon against German trenches in the battle of Loos on September 25th, 1915. He was aged 20.

The second son of straw plait dealer Joseph John Linsell and his wife Gertrude, then living in Brantwood Road, Luton, he had enlisted in the 9th County of London Regiment, Queen Victoria's Rifles, as a private (Rifleman 2473) on August 31, 1914, and he left England with a draft at the end of January 1915. Later on he became 'runner' for his battalion, and was recommended by his Commanding Officer for a commission while in France.

In a letter to his parents the Commanding Officer of his regiment said it appeared that Sec-Lieut Linsell was killed while gallantly leading his platoon against the German trenches.

Luton-born Johnson Linsell was educated first at St Gregory's School in Luton and Bedford Grammar School and afterwards went to the Ecole de Commerce, Neuchatel, to finish his course. Subsequently he went to Crefeld.

The Linsell family came from Essex, where Johnson's grandfather Alfred William was a straw plait dealer. He, wife Eliza and family moved to Harpenden and then to Grove Cottage in Castle Street, Luton, where he died on January 29th, 1901.

Johnson's father married Gertude Barker in 1891 and took over the business on Alfred's death - J. J. Linsell and Co having premises in George Street, Luton. Joseph, Gertude and their two sons and a daughter were living at 174 Chapel Street in 1901. By 1911 they were living in Bedford with the addition of a baby son, but moved back to Luton by 1915 and eventually to Harpenden.