Feb 15, 1892

Born in Verulam Township, Victoria County, Ontario to John Francis and Anna Maria (nee Jackson) Johnston

Jun 17, 1914

Married to Kathleen Hazel Moon in Lindsay, Ontario

Dec 10, 1915

Attested into the 109^th Battalion CEF in Bobcaygeon, Ontario 

Ø      Number 724685

Ø      Next of kin given as Hazel Johnston, wife, Bobcaygeon, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “C” Company

Jul 23, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 31, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and proceeded to the Bordon Camp, west of Bramshott

Aug 16. 1916

The battalion moved to Bramshott to continue training

Oct 5, 1916

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Oct 6, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 917 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Oct 22, 1916

After leaving the base depot, Private Johnston joined the 21^st Battalion in Division Reserve in Bully Grenay

Jun 23, 1917

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal without pay

Aug 15, 1917

L/Cpl Johnston was killed during heavy fighting when the 4^th Brigade was given the task of capturing Hill 70 near Lens, France.  His body was never recovered from the battlefield and is thus commemorated on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France for those Canadians who were killed in France during the war and have no known grave

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Kathleen H. Johnston, Bobcaygeon, Ontario.

There is a note in the file that she remarried and became Mrs. Kathleen H. Adams, RR #3, Fenlon Falls, Ontario

John Arthur Johnston is also commemorated on the Lindsay, Ontario War Memorial

2008

During the Remembrance Day ceremonies in 2008, Veteran's Affairs Canada conducted a vigil each night for the week leading up to November 11.  This vigil consisted of projecting the names of every WW1 Canadian soldier who is listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on various buildings and monuments across Canada, and in London England.  The photo below shows Lance Corporal Johnston’s name being projected on the outside wall of Canada House in London England.