Mar 1, 1892

Born in Ernestown Township, Ontario to James Caughey and Margaret Victoria (nee Denyes) Johnston

Jul 16, 1915

Attested into the 59^th Battalion in Ottawa, Ontario 

Ø      Number 454913

Ø      Next of kin given as James Johnston, father, Odessa, Ontario

o       There is a note in the file to also notify Mrs. Ellen Johnston, 348 St. Patrick St., Ottawa, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      Previous military experience given as 4^th Hussars in 1908, 41^st Regiment in 1909 and the 14^th Regiment in 1911

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “B” Company

o       He is noted as being a member of the battalion’s band 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area

Apr 1, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Apr 11, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Jul 6, 1916

Transferred to the 39^th Reserve Battalion in West Sandling

Oct 28, 1916

Attached to the Headquarters Sub Staff and assigned to the CCTB (Canadian Corps Training Battalion) for duty at Shorncliffe

Jan 1, 1917

To draw Clerk’s Pay

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion but remained attached to the Headquarters Staff

Jan 28, 1917

Ceased to be attached and joined the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Apr 21, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and ceased to draw Clerk’s Pay

Apr 22, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 1,886 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

May 21, 1917

After leaving the CBD, Private Johnston joined the 21^st Battalion in the Support Trenches near Vimy Ridge as part of a draft of 149 reinforcements from the base depot 

While with the battalion he was a member of the Brass Band

Jan 23, 1918

Granted 14 days leave to England

Feb 5, 1918

While in England Private Johnston became ill and was admitted to the No. 11 Canadian General Hospital in Shorncliffe with a diagnosis that reads Acute Bronchitis 

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

Mar 9, 1918

Granted Sick Leave until March 19, 1918

Mar 19, 1918

On completion of his sick leave he was attached to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford for duty

Apr 25, 1918

Ceased to be attached to the reserve battalion and transferred to the CFCBD (Canadian Forestry Corps Base Depot) in Sunningdale

Apr 29, 1918

Transferred to the CFC (Canadian Forestry Corps) 107^th Company, 51^st District in Inverness, Scotland

Nov 21, 1918

Transferred back to the forestry corps base depot in Sunningdale, England

Dec 4, 1918

On Command to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

Dec 15, 1918

Embarked the SS Northland in Liverpool

Dec 26, 1918

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario

On arrival in Toronto he was posted to the Casualty Company and granted leave with subsistence until January 11, 1919

Jan 16, 1919

Medical Board at Exhibition Park, Toronto, notes that he suffers from Flat Feet, Scoliosis, and Tonsillitis, in addition to his left leg being 1” shorter than the right leg.  He suffers from lower back pain as a result of his curved spine and shortened leg.  The board also notes that he suffered from Trench Feet while in France even though there is no record of this in his medical file 

He is prescribed special boots with a raised left heel to compensate for his short leg 

He is recommended for discharge but to be held as an in-patient under the care of the ISC (Invalided Soldier’s Commission)

Jan 21, 1919

Admitted to the Toronto Western Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Tonsillitis

Jan 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Toronto, Ontario as being Medically Unfit 

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge 110 Oakwood Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Ø      Discharged into the care of the ISC and remained in hospital 

Following his discharge the British War Medal and Victory Medals (shown below) were sent to him at 110 Oakwood Ave., Toronto, Ontario

Feb 6, 1919

Discharged from hospital

Feb 18, 1919

Released from the care of the ISC

Frank Earl Johnston is honoured on the War Memorial in Wilton, Ontario as an area hero who returned home.  Note that he is listed as Earl Johnson