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
Born	George Berry Melton Johnson (1906-03-06)6 March 1906 Christchurch, New Zealand
Died	28 August 1985(1985-08-28) (aged 79) Christchurch, New Zealand
Occupation	Accountant
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight	75 kg (166 lb)[1]
Spouse	Doreen Annie Greene ​ ​ (m. 1934; died 1972)​
Sport
Country	New Zealand
Sport	Rowing
Club	Otago Rowing Club
Medal record Men's rowing Representing  New Zealand British Empire Games 1930 Hamilton Coxless 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]