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Service Profile
- Branch
- British Army
- Rank
- Major
- Service Era
- World War I, Western Front, Race to the Sea, Second Battle of Ypres
- Medals Recorded
- 4
William Henry Johnston
Major, British Army
Support & adopt this hero ↓World War IWestern FrontRace to the SeaSecond Battle of Ypres
Awards & Decorations
- Victoria Cross
- 1914 StarSilver Rosette
- 5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914
- British War Medal 1914–1920
- Victory Medal (United Kingdom)Mentioned in Despatches
Ribbon Rack
Biography
He ferried wounded men and ammunition across under hot fire.
William Henry Johnston was born at Leith in 1879, the son of an artillery officer. Trained at Woolwich, he joined the Royal Engineers in 1899. Intelligence and surveying appointments took him to Gibraltar, China and Hong Kong before staff training at Camberley.
He went to France with 59th Field Company in August 1914. At Missy-sur-Aisne on 14 September, he worked two rafts throughout the day under heavy fire, carrying wounded men back and taking ammunition forward. His work helped an advanced brigade hold its position across the river. King George V presented his Victoria Cross in France that December.
Johnston subsequently served at Ypres and Neuve Chapelle, commanded a tunnelling company and became brigade major of the 15th Infantry Brigade. Promoted brevet major in June 1915, he was killed by a sniper on 8 June near Zwarteleen. He was buried in Perth Cemetery, Zillebeke.
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