War Memorial Hall c1929
George Robinson JOHNSTON
George Johnston was born on 6 November 1895 in St. James (or Lake Rowan), Victoria. His parents were the Reverend Robinson and Jane Kennedy (née Muir) Johnston. He attended Scotch from 1910 to 1914.
George was a clerk when he enlisted on 19 June 1915 in Melbourne. He served in the 6th Battalion and the Australian Flying Corps with the rank of Cadet. His Regimental Number was 2704.
George died on 24 March 1918 at Worthing Downs, England. He was 22 years of age.
Service record
Before enlisting in the AIF, George had served for two years in the Citizen Military Forces, as a Sergeant in the 58th Battalion. When he was accepted into the AIF he was just 19 years old, and had to receive his parents’ permission (see below). He was 5 feet 6 ½ inches tall and weighed 9 stone. He was allotted as a Private to the 8th Reinforcements for the 6th Battalion. He embarked with them on 29 August 1915 and served in Gallipoli with the 6th Battalion from the end of October 1915 until 30 November, when he was evacuated to Alexandria with dysentery. He was confined to bed for two weeks there, and then on getting up and eating more food collapsed and was diagnosed with enteric fever.
After rejoining his unit in Egypt, George travelled to France. There he served as a signaller with the 6th Battalion. He was involved in the heavy fighting at Pozieres in 1916. On 23 April 1917 he received a gunshot wound to the right thigh and, according to The Scotch Collegian, facial burns. He was evacuated to England. When released, he was temporarily employed at the Pay Office at Lidworth, London.
On 12 December he made a significant move: he transferred to the Australian Flying Corps Depot at Wendover, with the rank of Private. On 1 February 1918 he was sent to the Australian Flying Corps Observer School at Worcester to qualify as a Flying Officer (Observer) and was appointed to the rank of ‘Cadet’. Barely three months later he was killed at Worthing Downs in an aeroplane accident (see below). A Court of Inquiry into the incident concluded that George had died from a fractured jaw, thigh, and injuries to the skull. He was given a military funeral with full honours, including a gun carriage. Five Australian cadets and six Australian officers followed as mourners. The mechanics of his unit made a cross from a propeller, which was erected over his grave. His epitaph, requested by his clergyman father, reads: ‘The Lord Gave and the Lord Hath Taken Away’.
George Johnston is buried in the Winchester (West Hill) Old Cemetery.
Photographs and Documents:
Permission letter for George Johnston to join the AIF.
George Johnston at enlistment.
George Johnston (standing).
George Johnston - 'Grave folder'.
George Johnston - Grave at Winchester Cemetery, England.
From George’s service record, relating to his accidental death
Sources:
- Australian War Memorial – Roll of Honour
- Mishura Scotch Database
- National Archives of Australia – B2455, JOHNSTON G R
- Scotch Collegian 1918
- The AIF Project - https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=155898
