[BIOGRAPHY]
James Johnston was from Nelson in Lancashire and was born in 1879 and was the husband of Elizabeth Johnston of 24 Yorkshire Street, Nelson. James joined the army in the summer of 1899 and fought as a regular soldier in the Boer War & Great War with an arrival in France on 8th September 1914. His service was short as he was lost in action 7 weeks later on 24th October
He was officially “missing presumed dead” on 24th October 1914, but it’s quite clear that he was in fact killed in action on either the 20th or 21st October. The War Diary states: (20th), “Enemy Attacked, Heavy Losses” & again (21st) “Considerable Casualties, Large Numbers Reported Missing”
The survivors withdrew to billets near the Western Edge of “BOIS DU BIEZ” then moved on to billets at “RICHEBOURG ST. VASS” on 23rd October. Went forward on 26th October to support trenches.
The body of James Johnston was lost without trace on the battlefield and he has no known grave. James is commemorated with eternal honour on the Le Touret memorial, France.
[THE MEDALS] (Note:) There’s a common variation in the initial on the QSA (“c” for “j”) and his surname spelt JOHNSON on QSA & 14 Star,
& JOHNSTON on KSA & pair, but the same recipient as his regimental number is constant as 5919 throughout.
The Two Rolls & Two MIC’s confirm all naming & numbering.
Q.S.A.
To: 5919 Pte C. JOHNSON S.LANC.R (Officially Impressed)
(Clasps)
TRANSVAAL
ORANGE FREE STATE
CAPE COLONY
K.S.A.
To: 5919. Pte J. JOHNSTON. S.LANC.R (officially impressed)
1914 Star. 5919 Pte J. JOHNSON 2/S LAN: R.
Pair. 5919. Pte J. JOHNSTON S.LAN.R
AN EXCELLENT & EARLY “OLD CONTEMPTIBLE” BOER WAR & GREAT WAR CASUALTY GROUP IN “CHOICE” EF CONDITION WITH ORIGINAL MINT RIBBONS.
With the original hat badge. Fit for the finest collection of casualty awards. Groups of this quality are becoming ULTRA difficult to find.
£1250