The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1297 Location: Netherlands

Hi,

I am researching the men commemorated on the Dunfermline WW1 Memorial and would appreciate if any members can help me with the CWGC commemoration for following man:

David Johnstone (as named on the WW1 memorial)

October 3rd 1925 Dunfermline Journal lists him as:
Johnston, David Cooperative Buildings Townhill Pvt HLI

October 23rd 1915 Dunfermline Journal has entry for a 20 year old soldier son of Mr James Johnston Cooperative Buildings Townhill killed at Loos 25th Sep 1915

SDGW have an entry for:
David Johnston
11th Battalion HLI
KIA 25 Sep 1915
Service Number 1937

I cannot locate his CWGC entry. Can anybody help.

Kind Regards,
Alex
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Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 3:26 pm Post subject:

Hi Alex. How odd!

Like you I can find his entry on SDGW (and SNWM) his Medal Card and Medal Rolls, and his entry on the Army Register of Soldiers effects (which confirms his father as James)
Also his Pension Card (as Johnston) - but nothing on CWGC.

One for te In From the Cold Project?
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Ken

jrah60 · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:08 pm Post subject:

Details sent to Terry @ IFTC.

jrah60 · Posted: Sat Dec 04, 2021 4:51 pm Post subject:

Reply from Terry,

Here he is. Note the correct number and the DoD is as per CWGC records.

PRIVATE
D Johnstone
Service Number: 19737
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Highland Light Infantry
11th Bn.
Date of Death
Died 12 September 1915
Buried or commemorated at
CAMBRIN CHURCHYARD EXTENSION
G. 37.

Son of Mrs. M. Johnstone, of 23, Maxmillon St., Paisley.

John

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:23 am Post subject:

That's another David Johnstone - born and enlisted in Paisley.
Soldiers effects has mother as Mary.

From Paisley's Fallen in the War 1914-18

JOHNSTONE, David
Private 19737 ~ 11th (Service) Bn. Highland Light Infantry
Born Paisley, second son of Edward [deceased] & Mary Cumming Johnstone resident of 23 Maxwellton Street, Paisley.
Formerly employed with Speirs, Gibb & Co., Fireclay Manufacturers. Enlisted at Paisley, August 1914.
Killed 12th September 1915 aged 34 ~ Buried Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Pas de Calais, France
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Ken

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1297 Location: Netherlands

Thanks for the replies.

The newspaper article states that he enlisted in November 1914. Photograph of him published on the 30th October shows him to be a young boy - sadly.

I do not believe that the Paisley lad is the same one. Have found no connection with his family and Paisley.

Regards,
Alex
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Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1297 Location: Netherlands

1901 census record (I believe) is here - David was born around 1896:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/631424:1101

The names of his brothers (Walter and Robert) would support the effects entry stated by Kenneth.

However, can it be a coincidence - but his mother was called Mary?

1911 census confirms James, Mary and David still living in Townhill, Dunfermline. Mary and James both died there in 1939.

All census record use the surname Johnston.

Regards,
Alex
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Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:50 am Post subject:

So two men with the same name and similar service numbers (1937 & 19737) in the same 11th Battalion of the HLI both landed at Boulogne with their battalion in May 1915 and both were killed a few days apart in September 1915.
There are individual records for each – SDGW, Medal Rolls and Medal Index Cards, Soldiers Effects and Pension Cards.

It's my guess that somewhere along the line they were assumed to be the same man – so only one CWGC record.
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Ken

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1297 Location: Netherlands

Hi Kenneth,

You may well be right. Seems a great pity that a young man who volunteered to serve his country and it would appear died in the 25th September carnage that became what we now remember as the Battle of Loos is not commemorated by the CWGC.

I checked the 11 HLI war diary which explains in quite some details their actions at the Hohenzollern Redoubt but has no details on a list of missing or casualties.

However, checked the excellent HLI chronicle and he is listed on page 4 of the January 1916 Edition as being killed in action or died of wounds.

I will certainly contact the CWGC. Would we not have sufficient evidence for your IFTC colleague to do the same?

Regards,
Alex
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Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

David McNay · Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2021 5:30 pm Post subject:

I think if we go back with the evidence for both men they would hope they agree there are two separate casualties.

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2021 3:15 pm Post subject:

I was "talking" to Terry Denham at the In From The Cold Project about someone else yesterday and took the opportunity to ask him to look again at the two David Johnstones.
He has just sent me this:

Ken

I agree with you. He is a separate man.

He has a death certificate which I have ordered. I’ll get back to you when it arrives.

I suspect the two were muddled when we undertook the check of the overseas DCs nearly twenty years ago!

Terry
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Ken

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1297 Location: Netherlands

Much appreciated Kenneth and Terry.

Rgds,
Alex
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Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Fri Dec 17, 2021 12:19 pm Post subject:

Ken

JOHNSTONE’s DC arrived today and he has been submitted to CWGC.

I’ll let you know the outcome.

Terry
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Ken

A Morris · Joined: 19 May 2010 Posts: 1297 Location: Netherlands

Many thanks

Rgds,
Alex
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Remembering my Great Uncle - 963 Private Charles Lockhart 2nd Btn Gordon Highlanders - KIA 29/10/1914

Kenneth Morrison · Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2022 2:56 pm Post subject:

He was added to the CWGC Debt of Honour Register yesterday, 8 October 2022.

PRIVATE
David Johnstone
Service Number: 1937
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Highland Light Infantry

11th Bn.

Date of Death
Died 25 September 1915

Buried or commemorated at
UNITED KINGDOM BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
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Ken