The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

spoons

UKNIWM Ref: 9032

This is one of 5 original Great War battlefield crosses, now memorials in St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Castle Douglas at OS Map Ref: NX 765 619.Name: JOHNSTONE, FREDERICK JOHN LAWRIE
Initials: F J L
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: King's Royal Rifle Corps
Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
Age: 21
Date of Death: 29/08/1916
Awards: M C
Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrie Johnstone, of Drum Park, Dumfries.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: VI A. 18.
Cemetery: ABBEVILLE COMMUNAL CEMETERY

His name is misspelt as Johnston on SNWM.

He is listed on the Crossmichael memorial and at Gelston. He was the only son of Mr and Mrs Lawrie Johnstone of Gelston Castle, later of Drumpark, Irongray. He was educated at Eton and was a member of their cricket and football teams, an expert angler and a good shot. He was wounded at High Wood (battle of the Somme) and died of wounds in the Miltary Hospital in Abbeville.

He was awarded the Military Cross “…….for conspicuous gallantry in action. During heavy fighting he assumed command of two other Companies as well as his own, organised a successful counter attack, kept up the supply of ammunition and bombs, and did fine work generally.”