Feb 13, 1894

Born in Liverpool, England

Nov 7, 1914

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59515 (temporary number 880)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mrs. John V. Smith, foster mother, Gramont, Quebec

Ø  Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø  Previous military experience given as 43^rd Regiment, Duke of Cornwall’s Own Rifles in Ottawa, Ontario and the Cadets

Ø  Religion given as Baptist

Ø  Posted to “H” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “D” Company

On attesting he lied about his age, stating that he had been born in 1895 instead of his actual birth date of February 13, 1894

The 21^st Battalion trained in the Kingston, Ontario area through the winter of 1914-15.

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

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

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Feb 8, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

Feb 10, 1916

Transferred to the Division Rest Station at the No. 5 Canadian Field Ambulance

Feb 21, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from the rest station

Sep 15, 1916

During the capture of the sugar factory south of Courcelette, France, Private Johnston received a bullet wound to his ring finger, left hand that fractured the bone and he was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported to a casualty clearing station.  He was then transferred to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne

Sep 17, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydel

On arrival in England he was admitted to the No. 3 Northern General Hospital in Sheffield

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

Nov 24, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Red Cross Hospital in Bushy Park, Hampton Hill

Dec 4, 1916

Attached to the CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for PT (Physical Training) at St. Leonard’s Hospital

Mar 22, 1917

Discharged from hospital care and transferred to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 85 reinforcements from England and Taken On Strength the 21^st Battalion

May 21, 1917

After leaving the base depot, John Johnson rejoined the 21^st Battalion west of Vimy Ridge as part of a draft of 149 reinforcements

Jul 3, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal without pay

Jul 22, 1917

Attached to the 4^th Canadian Machine Gun Company for duty

Aug 18, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

Aug 29, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from the machine gun company

Nov 7, 1917

Awarded the Good Conduct Badge

Dec 1, 1917

Attached to the 182^nd Company, Royal Engineers for duty

Dec 21, 1917

Rejoined the battalion from the engineers

Feb 26, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Mar 15, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

Promoted to the rank of Corporal

Apr 22, 1918

Arrived at the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France escorting troops

Apr 28, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in the front line south of Agny, France from escort duty

Aug 8, 1918

During the liberation of the town of Marcelcave, France, Corporal Johnston received shrapnel wounds to his legs and was evacuated to the No. 1 Canadian Field Ambulance for first aid before being transported to the No. 5 Casualty Clearing Station.

Aug 10, 1918

Transferred via the No. 7 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 5 General Hospital in Rouen where he was listed as being dangerously ill

Aug 28, 1918

Removed from the dangerously ill list and invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Gloucester Castle

On arrival in England he was admitted to the 5^th City of London General Hospital

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

Oct 18, 1918

Transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital in Epsom

Nov 10, 1918

Discharged from hospital with sick leave until November 18, 1918, at which time he was instructed to report to the Canadian Command Depot in Witley

Attached to the 1^st CCD (Canadian Command Depot) in Witley

Jan 1, 1919

Next of kin changed to read Mrs. Lilian Mary Johnson, wife, 33 Park Road South, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England

Jan 19, 1919

Transferred to the Permanent Staff of No. 2 Wing in Rhyl for duty

Jun 20, 1919

Posted to “H” Wing in Witley

Jun 24, 1919

Transferred to the Canadian Duty Depot in Witley

Aug 19, 1919

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

Sep 19, 1919

Attached to 2^nd Canadian Discharge Depot in London pending discharge in England

Discharged from the CEF in London, England

Ø  Rank on discharge Sergeant

Ø  Entitled to War Service Badge Class “A”

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge 33 Park Road South, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England

Following his discharge, the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 6362 Fifth Ave., Rosemount, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Nov 28, 1950

John Johnston passed away while a patient of the Queen Mary Veterans Hospital in Montreal and was buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Montreal, Quebec