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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Clarijo on Saturday 27 March 21 12:19 GMT (UK)
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Very long shot, but I am trying to find out where my grandfather Richard JOHNSTON (1891-1955) was during the First World War, and specifically why he wasn't in the armed forces. He married my grandmother in 1914, so I suppose this might be a reason. BUT for decades there has been intense family speculation, rumour and downright refusal to talk. Hints have been made about a hidden history but, as often happens, all the main proponents are now dead.
His 2 younger brothers both died on the fields France tragically within 48 hrs of each other. My grandfather had strong links to Ireland, particularly the Drumcondra area, and my father (deceased) remembers him spending protracted periods of time there in the 1930s for reasons which were never explained. My grandfather was extremely taciturn and never spoke of his younger life.
His parents were Anne and James Johnston. I would be very grateful indeed if anyone anywhere knows anything!
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He mar
ried my grandmother in 1914, so I suppose this might be a reason.
What occupation did he have when he married?
Have you found him on the 1911 census?
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Do you know where he lived after he married?
Only there is a Richard Johnstone Royal Engineers who was discharged as no longer physically fit for service 1 Apr 1918.
Address given 108 Brainard? Street
? Brook
Liverpool
that one was a chemist so any occupation clues for your Richard would help rule this one in or out.
He was 28 so age fits.
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Is this his marriage?
Marriages Sep 1914
JOHNSTON Richard Thorpe Liverpool 8b 185
Thorpe Elizabeth Johnston Liverpool 8b 185
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I know this isn't what you are specifically looking for but I thought I would add this:-
SERJEANT
WALTER JOHNSTON
Service Number: 17545
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Royal Field Artillery
"A" Bty. 170th Bde.
Date of Death
Died 04 July 1916
Age 21 years old
Buried or commemorated at
ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN
A. 22. 26.
France
Son of James and Ann Johnston, of 50, Latimer St., Liverpool.
I can't seem to pinpoint the one for John.
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This looks like him on the 1911 census from what has been mentioned www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWTJ-G6Q
And his birth in 1890 Liverpool www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N17Q-7BC
Monica
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This one seems likely in 1911
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWRP-1KW
Annie Johnston married Patrick McGill in 1902
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That is a much better fit for the family with Richard's brothers, Heywood ;)
Monica
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Yes, I think it his him, Monica and he was a clerk :-\
I have a relative who was described as ‘not likely to make an efficient soldier’ or similar. Maybe that is what happened with Richard. Additionally, not all records were saved.
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Married men were exempt from conscription until June 1916. Richards brother Walter died July 1916 then James September 1916 serving their country then his son James was born October 1916. He could have applied for exemption from conscription on these grounds to his local military services tribunal. Another reason he wasn't conscripted is he could have been in a reserved occupation or only able to do light work such as Heywood mentions as a clerk.
As for the trips to Ireland three of Richards Grandparents originated for Ireland so perhaps he was visiting family.
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we are talking about Liverpool - the busiest Sea Port in the World at the time - ships going to USA / CANADA /SOUTH AFRICA /AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALEAND etc A VAST majority of Merchant Seaman were from Liverpool - my father included - THEY WEREN'T classed as FORCES even though they provided all the fuel /provisions etc for the Royal Navy - as in the Atlantic crossings .. also the ships passengers came by Road . Rail by their THOUSANDS each week - Richard Johnston may have had one of these jobs - as did SO MANY other Liverpool men ...