Samuel Johnston was the son of John and Isabella Johnston. He was born in Maghera on 18th April 1887. Samuel’s mother died in June 1906 in the Maghera area. Samuel emigrated to Toronto, Canada. Samuel Johnston married Elizabeth. They had four children. Samuel was a policeman with Toronto Police Force. Samuel Johnston enlisted on 8th January 1915 in Toronto. Private Samuel Johnston was serving with the 20th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. On the morning of 16th September 1916, while on duty in support trenches near Courcelette, France, he was hit in the face by shrapnel from an enemy shell. His wound was dressed and he was taken to No 3 Casualty Clearing Station at Puchevillers. Private Samuel Johnston died of wounds the following day on 17th September 1916.
Puchevillers is a village on the D11 about 19 kilometres north-east of Amiens. The British Cemetery is a little west of the village. The first Commonwealth War Graves Commission signpost is situated by the church in the village.
