Lucky Johnny
Category: I
Year: 2018
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk
Artist: Emma Johnson
The original title of the book I picked up from the Library of Re-Claimed Books at Turn the Page in May (2018), was "Lucky Johnny - The Footballer who Survived the River Kwai Death Camps". I picked it up because I liked the cover, I didn't actually notice what it was about until I got home. I could hardly believe it - the choice could not have been any more serendipitous.
My paternal Grandfather also fought the Japanese in Burma in World War II, and he too survived...his name was Johnny Johnson.
So I really didn't have a choice: it had to be this story.
In altering the book, it was not my intention to disrespect the original Johnny's story, and I hope I haven't. It was more my intention to add or interweave the story of my Grandfather to a shared experience. He didn't write his memoirs, and he never spoke of his time in Burma, as it was too traumatic. He would tell us tales of his journey there, people he met, and funny stories, but he wouldn't tell us the horrible stuff, so all I have is a few documents and photographs - visual fragments of a life - and my memories of him.
I have interspersed these throughout the book, being careful not to obliterate any of the photographs from the original story - except for the image on the front cover, which I have replaced with 'my' Johnny. The hole through the top left hand corner of the book is a representation of all those dodged bullets.
Johnny Johnson was lucky. He wasn't captured, he wasn't injured, and he returned home to his wife and young son (my father) at the end of the war. He led a full life. He died in 1988 aged 73.
I would like to think, in handing this altered book, a memory of his life, back to you, that some form of reconciliation has taken place. It is something Johnny's generation could never do, but I, as his Granddaughter certainly can.
Year: 2018
Location: Ipswich, Suffolk
Artist: Emma Johnson
The original title of the book I picked up from the Library of Re-Claimed Books at Turn the Page in May (2018), was "Lucky Johnny - The Footballer who Survived the River Kwai Death Camps". I picked it up because I liked the cover, I didn't actually notice what it was about until I got home. I could hardly believe it - the choice could not have been any more serendipitous.
My paternal Grandfather also fought the Japanese in Burma in World War II, and he too survived...his name was Johnny Johnson.
So I really didn't have a choice: it had to be this story.
In altering the book, it was not my intention to disrespect the original Johnny's story, and I hope I haven't. It was more my intention to add or interweave the story of my Grandfather to a shared experience. He didn't write his memoirs, and he never spoke of his time in Burma, as it was too traumatic. He would tell us tales of his journey there, people he met, and funny stories, but he wouldn't tell us the horrible stuff, so all I have is a few documents and photographs - visual fragments of a life - and my memories of him.
I have interspersed these throughout the book, being careful not to obliterate any of the photographs from the original story - except for the image on the front cover, which I have replaced with 'my' Johnny. The hole through the top left hand corner of the book is a representation of all those dodged bullets.
Johnny Johnson was lucky. He wasn't captured, he wasn't injured, and he returned home to his wife and young son (my father) at the end of the war. He led a full life. He died in 1988 aged 73.
I would like to think, in handing this altered book, a memory of his life, back to you, that some form of reconciliation has taken place. It is something Johnny's generation could never do, but I, as his Granddaughter certainly can.