Laurence Johnson

Born 13 May 1890, Collafirth
Died 13 February 1982, Lerwick
Elections 1 (1 won)
Bayanne Genealogy page

Laurence Gilbert Johnson was a farmer, County Councillor and author. He was the first son of William Johnson and Margaret Copland.

Biography

Johnson saw, and in later years reminisced about the last days of the haaf fishing based at Ronas Voe where his father was a skipper; on three occasions he and his brothers attended the fishing foy there.

When the fishery ended, Johnson's father took tenancy of the sheep farm at Setter in Mid Yell, and Laurence and his brothers continued to work the farm after the old man died. Johnson played an active part in Yell affairs: he was a County Councillor and a founder member of the debating society.

He became a firm friend of the Yell scholar Laurence Williamson. When Williamson died, Johnson salvaged his papers, and in due course wrote a biography of him: "Laurence Williamson of Mid Yell", published in a limited edition in 1971.

Political Career

Political career of Laurence Johnson
Year Election Council Votes Result
1952 Yell South County Council By-Election July 1952 (Yell South) Zetland County Council 131 Elected

Offices Held

Zetland County Council
Preceded by
John Williamson (iv)
Member for
Yell South

1952–1955
Succeeded by
John Tulloch (ii) John Tulloch (ii)