9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
21/01/1916 (Died by accident)
Age:
42
Summary
Thomas Johnston was the son of James and Sarah Johnston. Thomas was born in Milltown, County Tyrone about 1875. It seems that he and his parents lived in Castledawson for a time. Thomas Johnston was employed in Herdman’s Mills at Sion Mills. Thomas Johnston enlisted in Omagh. He was living in Sion Mills at the time. He was married to Eliza Johnston. Private Thomas Johnston was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of injuries received in a railway accident on Friday 21st January 1916.
Further Information
Thomas Johnston was the son of James and Sarah Johnston. Thomas was born in Milltown, County Tyrone about 1875. Milltown is south of Strabane, straddling the border. Victoria Bridge lies between Milltown and Sion Mills, which is just south of Strabane.
It seems that he and his parents lived in Castledawson for a time.
Thomas Johnston was employed in Herdman’s Mills at Sion Mills.
Thomas Johnston enlisted in Omagh. He was living in Sion Mills at the time.
He was married to Eliza Johnston.
Private Thomas Johnston was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of injuries received in a railway accident in France and Flanders on Friday 21st January 1916. He was 42 years old.
Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo, D.S.O., in a letter to the relatives of the deceased, intimating to them the sad news, said that the deceased was a fine soldier, and was liked and respected by all. In him, the men of the battalion had lost a very good comrade and friend. Captain Cruickshank, of the same battalion, has written to the widow of the deceased paying a tribute to the deceased’s fine soldierly qualities.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th February 1916: Private T Johnston, Castledawson
Private T Johnston, 9th (S) Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Ulster Division, has been killed at the front. Private Johnston, who was a native of Castledawson, was employed in Messrs Herdman’s Mills at Sion. Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo, D.S.O., in a letter to the relatives of the deceased intimating to them the sad news, says that the deceased was a fine soldier, and was liked and respected by all. In him, the men of the battalion had lost a very good comrade and friend. Captain Cruickshank, of the same battalion, has written to the widow of the deceased paying a tribute to the deceased’s fine soldierly qualities.
Private Thomas Johnston is buried in Beauval Communal Cemetery. Beauval is a village about 24 kilometres north of Amiens.
The CWGC record Private Thomas Johnston as the son of James and Sarah Johnston, of Ballymonday, Co. Derry (Ballymonday does not exist). He is also recorded as the husband of Eliza Jane Johnston of Urbleriagh, Victoria Bridge, Co. Tyrone.
