| 12/07/2020 |
His brother John, enlisting in the Cameronians (the Scottish Rifles) in 1915, was early on the battlefield. After being in two engagements near Neuve Chappelle, he was killed in the Battle of Arras when he was only 20 years old. He had gained two decorations. |
| 12/07/2020 |
Stoker W Johnston, whose home address is Belishill, Castledawson, was the gusest of the evening at a social on Wednesday evening in the War Memorial Hall (in Castledawson). He joined the Royal Navy about four years ago and was posted to a minesweeper. After a spell in the North Sea, he did duty in ‘E-boat Alley’. Later he was posted to an examination boat based on a port in Northern Ireland. After another spell in a Naval Barracks, he was posted to a gunboat which originally belonged to the Netherlands Royal Navy, and from December 1943 up to May 1944, was on service in the English Channel. This gunboat was one of the fleet which took part in the invasion of Normandy, and was the first to land Royal Marines, which corps, fighting one of the most brilliant actions in their history against overwhelming odds, battled their way to a grand finale, capturing one post after another, and re-arming themselves with German weapons. The gunboat was about six weeks in the port, during which the crew, getting shore leave, made good use of their time in seeing something of the country further inland. Stoker Johnston says the country is something like Northern Ireland; food is plentiful- eggs, bacon and ham can be got for the asking. One town he visited was Bayeux, famous for its tapestry and a gothic cathedral of great antiquity. Stoker Johnston served in the last war in the Royal Navy until 1919, when he was demobilised. During that time he served in two cruisers which were sunk by submarines, but the crews escaped. |
| 12/07/2020 |
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 19th August 1944: Serviceman’s Welcome (Stoker William Johnston – brother of John Johnston) |
| 12/07/2020 |
Mr Andrew Harte, presenting the token of esteem, complimented Stoker Johnston on his gallantry in re-joining the Navy after his experiences in the 1914-1918 war. Stoker Johnston expressed his appreciation of the gift, and thanked the donors for their generosity. |
| 30/12/2015 |
The CWGC record Private John Johnstone as the son of Isabella Johnstone, of Castledawson, Co. Derry |
| 30/12/2015 |
Family: Bella Johnston, William Johnston (born about 1893), John Johnston (born about 1895). |
| 30/12/2015 |
The 1901 census lists John as age 6 living with his mother and brother at house 43 in Castledawson, County Londonderry. Bella Johnston was a labourer. |
| 30/12/2015 |
The 1911 census lists John as age 14 living with the family at house 16 in Tamnadeese, Magherafelt, County Londonderry. Both he and his brother were farm servants. |
| 30/12/2015 |
John Johnston enlisted with the 9th Battalion of the Cameronians in Hamilton, Scotland. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Private John Johnstone was killed in action on 2nd June 1917. He was twenty-six years of age. Seven men were killed on this day but two of them, Joseph Middleton and John Johnstone, have no known grave and are commemorated on the Arras Memorial, Bay 6. |
| 30/12/2015 |
John Johnston was the son of Isabella Johnston. John was born in Tamnadace, Castledawson about 1895. |
| 30/12/2015 |
John’s elder brother William Johnston also served. He was torpedoed twice. |
| 30/12/2015 |
The other five appear to have been killed in a separate incident and are all buried together in Browns Copse Cemetery, west of Arras. They lie in Plot 3, and are W. Middleton H-13, H. Hannah H-14, H. Thomson H-15, D. Monteith H-16, and H. Oliver H-17. |
