Potteries mourns 'last of generation'
THE funeral of a leading figure in the Staffordshire ceramic industry will take place this week.
Christopher Frank Johnson, who died on Sunday, May 3, aged 91 after a short illness, served the pottery industry for 49 years.
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Christopher Frank Johnson
Before his retirement, Mr Johnson was production director of Wedgwood's earthenware division; earlier in his career he was a director at Johnson Brothers.
Former Steelite International owner David Johnson said Mr Johnson, first cousin of his father Shepherd, was the last surviving member of his father's generation of the family.
He said, at their peak in the 1960s there were 11 Johnsons at the company.
David Johnson said: "His knowledge of ceramics was very great. He was well-respected and very capable in all aspects of factory management, production and delivering on time."
As well as being closely involved with the work of the British Ceramic Research Association, Mr Johnson was also, for a number of years, a member of the British Ceramic Society.
During the Second World War, he served in the Leek Battery of the 61st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery TA, which he joined in 1938, as well as other regiments.
His service while in action in Normandy and Holland, saw him mentioned in dispatches and he held the Territorial Decoration.
After the war, Mr Johnson, of Beechwood Close, Clayton, attended reunions and, at the time of his death, was life president of the 116 Field Regiment Old Comrades Association.
He was also a committee member of the 59th (Staffordshire) Division and the Friends of Thurly-Harcourt.
In his younger days, Mr Johnson was a keen golfer and a former captain and president of Trentham Golf Club, as well as being a life member of Leek Birchall Golf Club.
In 1978 and 1979 he was president of the Staffordshire Union of Golf Clubs.
Mr Johnson also served as a director of the Hanley Economic building society, was a resident of Oulton Heath for many years and was a former chairman of the Oulton Village Hall Council.
He also spent nine years as the chairman of the North Staffs committee of the Sail Training Association.
He leaves son Nicholas Johnson, step-daughter Caroline Speirs, grand-daughter Tullia and step-grandchildren Christian and Fiona.
Mrs Speirs said Mr Johnson was a very conscientious man who cared about people and who would not shirk his responsibilities.
She added: "He was very interested in young people and wanted to give them opportunities in life.
"It was amazing, for someone in his 90s, that he absolutely loved children and he delighted in his grand-children."
Mr Johnson's funeral will be at Trentham Parish Church, Park Drive, at 11am on Friday. He will then be cremated at a service for family only at Bradwell.
Guests are invited to the British Pottery Manufacturers Federation club, in Federation House, Stoke, after the service.
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