Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch
Coagh - Those That Served
Updates for Private James Johnston
Date Information
27/03/2019 Private James Johnston was demobilized 24th March 1919 and returned to Canada.
27/03/2019 James Johnston was the son of Thomas and Martha Johnston. Thomas Johnston and Martha Shaw were married on 10th January 1882 in the district of Cookstown.
27/03/2019 Known family: Thomas Johnston, Martha Johnston, James Johnston (born 19th May 1883), John Johnston (born 4th July 1885), Sarah Johnston (born 19th June 1887), George Johnston.
27/03/2019 James Johnston emigrated to Canada or USA around 1901.
27/03/2019 Prior to enlisting, James lived at Lipperville, Pennsylvania, USA with a brother, George Johnston.
27/03/2019 James Johnston enlisted on 27th September 1917 at Toronto, Canada. He was a labourer by trade. He was 34 years old. He gave his next-of-kin as his mother, Martha Johnston, who lived Ballydawley, County Londonderry.
27/03/2019 Private Johnston joined the Y&S Foresters. After initial training Private Johnston left with his unit for Scotland on 18th December 1917. His ship arrived in Glasgow on 31st December.
27/03/2019 It seems Private Johnston never actually got to France.
27/03/2019 There is some doubt as to whether James and John Johnson were brothers.
27/03/2019 In his will made on 1917, he left all to his brother George.
27/03/2019 James Johnston died on 5th February 1964 at Shaughnessy Hospital in Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada. He was 78 years old.
27/03/2019 He latterly joined the joined 2nd CMR (2nd Battalion of the Canadian Mounted Regiment?) on 21st August 1918.
27/03/2019 Private Johnston was later relocated to southern England,
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27/03/2019 Last Will and Testament dated 20th September 1917:
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27/03/2019 James listed his brother George Johnston as his benefactor, who was living at Lipperville, Pennsylvania, USA, which is in the Philadelphia area.
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26/03/2019 Private James Johnston, Canadian Forester Corps, has paid a visit to his parents at Ruskey. Seventeen years ago Private Johnston emigrated to Canada, where he remained up to last year. He then enlisted and later was sent to England. From thence he came home, prior to his leaving for France. He is in fine spirits and looking well.
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26/03/2019 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 2nd February 1918: Coagh
25/03/2019 The History of Coagh booklet lists Private James Johnston as having served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the war.
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Coagh & District in WW1
2018-2022