John Johnston was the son of Thomas Johnston. Johnston emigrated to Canada. Prior to enlisting, he was living in Boissevain, Manitoba, Canada. He worked as a farmer He enlisted on 25th October 1917 at Winnipeg. While training He firstly damaged his wrist and then contracted measles. Private John Johnston left Canada with his unit on 10th May 1918, arriving in Britain on 24th May. He proceeded overseas with 16th Battalion Canadian Infantry on 2nd October 1918. Private Johnston returned to England 26th March 1919.