James Sidney JOHNSTON

Regimental number6278
Place of birthCork, Ireland
Other NamesJames Sydney
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFitter and turner
AddressAlbany, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation30
Height5' 4.5"
Weight130 lbs
Next of kinSister, Mrs Gertrude Darragh, State School, Denmark, Western Australia
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date5 April 1916
Place of enlistmentBlackboy Hill, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name16th Battalion, 20th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/33/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A23 Suffolk on 13 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll16th Battalion
FateEffective abroad (still overseas)
Discharge date8 March 1920
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Fremantle, 9 October 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 2 December 1916. Proceeded to France through Folkestone, 16 January 1917; marched into 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 17 January 1917; marched out to field, 20 January 1917; taken on strength of 16th Bn, 21 January 1917

Admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance, 30 August 1917 (septic abrasion, left heel); transferred to 44th Field Ambulance, 2 September 1917; discharged to duty, 4 September 1917; rejoined unit in the field, 7 September 1917; proceeded to United Kingdom on leave, 27 December 1917.

Found guilty in London, 17 January 1918, of being absent without leave, 7.30 am, 11 January, to 2.00 pm, 17 January 1918: admonished by superior officer; forfeits 7 days' pay.

Admitted to 2nd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Southall, 17 January 1918 (not yet determined); discharged to duty, 5 February 1918; marched into No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 6 February 1918.

Admitted to Sutton Veny Military Hospital, 9 February 1918 (adhesions to peritoneum); discharged to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 3 May 1918.

Admitted to Brigade Hospital, Hurdcott, 21 May 1918 (wounded abdomen); discharged to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 1 June 1918.

Admitted to Brigade Hospital, Hurdcott, 27 June 1918 (influenza); discharged to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 30 June 1918.

Admitted to Fovant Military Hospital, 17 July 1918 (incised wound, scalp); court of inquiry held at Hurdcott finds that the wound was a result of accident and that the soldier was not to blame, 22 July 1918; discharged to No 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott, 29 July 1918; marched into No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 13 September 1918; marched into Overseas Training Brigade, 8 November 1918; marched into No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, 11 February 1919; marched into No 2 Group, Deverill, 22 May 1919; payment to soldier at No 4 Command Depot, 30 May 1919; granted indefinite leave, 2 June 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on HT 'Benalla', 8 October 1919; disembarked Albany, 18 November 1919. Discharged Perth, 8 March 1920.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death28 June 1951
Place of burialKarrakatta Cemetery
SourcesNAA: B2455, JOHNSTON James Sidney