The AIF Project

George Henry JOHNSTON

Regimental number3096
Place of birthParramatta, New South Wales
SchoolPublic School, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressMacquarie Street, Parramatta, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 7"
Weight145 lbs
Next of kinMother, Florence Barry
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date31 August 1915
Place of enlistmentSydney, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name17th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/34/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A29 Suevic on 20 December 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll53rd Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Age at death from cemetery records22
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 8), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
157
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Son of Florence BARRY (formerly JOHNSTON). Native of Parramatta, New South Wales
Family/military connectionsBrother-in-law: 4867 Pte James Edward COOK, 53rd Bn, killed in action, 1 September 1918.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Allotted to 53rd Bn, Moascar, 3 April 1916; joined 53rd Bn, Ismailia, 3 April 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 28 June 1916.

Reported as missing in action, 19 July 1916.

Previously reported missing, now, 3 October 1916, reported killed in action.

Translation of undated German report: 'Identity Disc handed over by Intell: Off: of 6th Army Hd. Qrs. 17/8/16[.] Herewith is confirmed Death Card according to which Australian Prisoner of War Pte. G. H. Johnston, Iden: Disc 3096, 53 Btn., died on 19/7/16.'

Red Cross File No 1450510 has staement from 3390 Pte P. HAMMOND, a Company, 53rd Bn, 16 February 1917: 'A man named H. Johnston (I don't know his number) was killed right close alongside of me in the German trench near Armentieres on the morning after the charge. A bomb got him in the stomach. He was left there when we came away.'

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsMother's address subsequently 7 Darcy Street, Parramatta South, New South Wales.
SourcesNAA: B2455, JOHNSTON George Henry
Red Cross File No 1450510

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