Indentification of Badge Please

[Pete Keane]

Hi Phil,

I dont suppose his service history survived ? If so, would it show his NOK?

I dont know its this chap, just that he was 19th, and the J.Johnston is wearing a 19th cap badge, and I cant see any other Johnstons on the 19th as casualties.

My rationale is that he would not have had the 14/15 Star if he went abroad after changing units, and if he was killed in action he would not have been awarded the two victory medals, hence he shows up on cwgc but not on the medal rolls.

I accept theres lots of other variables, and not enough positive info, but like a challenge!

Regards

Pete

Ps Did you get the info from findmypast - he shows up on there but I dont have a subscription so dont know what info it gives.

[Maurine]

Hi Pete,Phil & Ken
Many thanks for all your help in this query. I don't know how you find out all these details but am sooo! glad you do. As I have said James Johnston is my brick wall and although he was my grandfather, he died in 1923 and I never heard any mention of him while my father and grandmother were alive. All the information I have on him is contradictary as to his age. The paper work that I have is his marriage certificate to my grandmother which says he was 35,that was in 1916 after three children. The 1911 census which says he was 42 and his death certificate on which he is 57. It has always seemed strange that on the 1901 census my grandmother was at home with her family in Ilford,Essex but in 1905 she was with James in Laindon,Essex having their first child. My father's name was William Charles Frank but he was born in 1913 so not named for a previous F Johnston. My uncle was named Horace Stanley Lorraine Johnston and the rumour is that the Lorraine was because someone in the family was killed at the battle of Lorraine but I haven't been able to find out if this is fact or fiction. I am not sure if any of this waffle is of use to anyone but I thought it might give some background to what I know about James.
Thanks again to everyone who has replied and I look forward to hearing from you again soon.
Maurine

[forester]

Pete,

He does have a medal index card: British War and Victory Medals only. Nothing under the KRRC number, so I assume went overseas 1916 and with the 19th.

I can't find a service record for him.

I got the info from SDGW (real version).

If I had a subscription to FindMyPast, I would have the service records for my 3 Gattons by now.  

I guess that we are all thinking along the same lines; J Johnson is wearing the badge in memoriam.


Phil

PS Just caught your post Maurine

[Maurine]

Hi Phil

I do have a subscription for FindMyPast. What do I look for?

Maurine

[forester]

Hello Maurine,

I don't know what Pete found.

I would guess, to start with,, go to Military search, type in Frank Johnston, select WW1 and then plough through all the hits.

Phil

[Pete Keane]

Spot on Phil,

The Frank Johnston we are interested in is obvious in the list (of about 7).

I have some difficulty in believing that the guy in the photo is only 35, I'd have put at least another 10 years on him.

Again, only coincidence, but one of your dads middle names is Frank, if this is the correct direction we're heading in, wouldnt surprise me if your great Grandad was called Frank.....

Cheers

Pete