The AIF Project

Charles William JOHNSTON

Regimental number2705
Place of birthSydney, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationStudent
Address38 Ness Avenue, Dulwich Hill, Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 6.5"
Weight132 lbs
Next of kinFather, A Johnston, 38 Ness Avenue, Dulwich Hill, Sydney, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date31 July 1915
Place of enlistmentWarwick Farm, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name20th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 2 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll56th Battalion
FateDied of wounds 20 July 1916
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 13), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
162
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Allotted to, and proceeded to 56th Bn from 5th Training Bn, Zeitoun, 16 February 1916; taken on strength of 56th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 16 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 20 July 1916.

Died of wounds while being carried to Dressing Station, 20 July 1916.

Note, Red Cross File No 14505031: 'No trace Germany. Cert by Capt. Mills. 10.10.19.'

Statement, 2780 Lance Corporal B.H. PHILLIPS, C Company, 56th Bn, 14 November 1916: 'Johnston was a L.M. Gunner and [3347 F.] James was in A. Company. We made an attack on the 19th and were driven back to our own lines and these two and three others were killed by the same shell in our trench. James' head was practically blown off. I - a stretcher bearer - was in the next bay and was called in. James and Johnston were both taken out and buried in a Cemetery behind the lines. I think the Cemetery was at the mouth of "V.C. Avenue" near Fleurbaix.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, JOHNSTON Charles William
Red Cross File No 14505031

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.