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Johnston-G-R-Pte-2704

Page history last edited by Lenore Frost 5 years, 3 months ago

Volunteers of Essendon and Flemington, 1914-1918

George Johnston (standing). Source: Scotch College commemorative website.

Johnston G R Pte 2704 George Robinson 6 Inf Bn 19 Clerk Single Pres

Address:

Next of Kin: Johnston, Rev, father, Lake Rowan

Enlisted: 19 Jun 1915

Embarked: A68 Anchises 26 Aug 1915

Prior service: 58 Inf Regt, 1 year.

Date of death: 24/03/1918 Cadet, Australian Flying Corps

CWGC: "Son of the Rev. Robinson Johnston and Jane Kennedy Johnston, of "Lisburn," Ranfurlie Crescent,

East Malvern, Victoria. Born at Lake Rowan, Victoria".

WINCHESTER (WEST HILL) OLD CEMETERY

Cadet George Robinson Johnston. Source: Scotch College commemorative website.

Flemington-Kensington Church News, July 1917

Pte Geo R Johnston, a member of our Young Men's Bible Class has been at the front well nigh two years. He served in Gallipoli, and was amongst the first of the AIF in Egypt to be transferred to France. He went through several of the awful struggles that have taken place, including the battle of the Somme. He was wounded in the thigh on April 30th and is now in hospital. George does not say much in his letters about those actions, but he voiced the soldier's indignation at the shirkers. He says "There are bigger and stronger men lying in between clean sheets quite dry and warm ... it would be much better if we knew everyone was doing his share".

Flemington-Kensington Church News, April 1918

Alec. Preston (reported missing 18th Aug. 1916) and Geo.Johnston are reported killed. These were two of the brightest spirits among our young men and their loss is felt most keenly. Many God comfort their sorrowing parents. In His Love and by Heaven's Hope may they have strength to endure the pain of a loss like this.

Flemington-Kensington Church News, October 1918

Driver R. R. McLean, A.A.S.C. sailed tor England on May 10th, 1917. On reaching England he went into camp at Salisbury Plains, and on taking advantage of the 7 days disembarkation leave he proceeded to Scotland which he describes as a magnificent place. On his return from Scotland he was temporarily transferred to the Pay Corps, Bhurtpore Barracks, Tidworth, and there he met three of the old Church boys in Will Robertson, “Scotchie" Billinge, and George Johnston. Owing to his ability as a stenographer Reg. has been so far retained in the Pay Corps, and has been promoted to Corporal.

Speaking about the death of George Johnston, who had transferred to the Flying Corps and who had been killed in a flying accident in England, he says:- "I was terribly shocked to hear of poor old George Johnston's death. He was a great pal of mine whilst here, and was "one of the best " and after seeing so much service, it was very bad luck to lose his life here and not in France. l have communicated with the flying school at Winchester where George was killed, and it appears that, as a result of the inquiry into the accident, it was thought that the pilot of the machine fainted whilst in the air, and George, as the observer, was left powerless, and death in both cases was instantaneous.

Source: Scotch College commemorative website.