Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
ff
   2nd Lieutenant Walter Wilson Johnston
Save as PDF
Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 30/12/2015
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 10/10/1897
Died: 17/05/1920 (Died of Illness)
Age: 22
Summary      
Walter Wilson Johnston was the only child of William Walter and Martha Johnston. Walter was born on 10th October 1897 in County Monaghan. Walter was an only child. His father was the Station Manager for the Great Northern Railway in Monaghan Town. Walter attended the Model School in Monaghan before transferring to Royal School Dungannon in 1913. Walter then went on to pursue a military career by entering Sandhurst in England on 27 April 1916. After training, in October 1916, he obtained a commission with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 2nd Lieutenant Walter Johnston died on 17th May 1920 from an illness contracted whilst on active service. 2nd Lieutenant Walter Johnston in NOT listed in the CWGC.
2nd Lieutenant Walter Wilson Johnston
Further Information
Walter Wilson Johnston was the son of Walter and Martha Johnston. They were married about 1896. Walter was born on 10th October 1897 in County Monaghan. Walter was an only child.
The 1901 census lists Walter Wilson as age 3 living with the family at house 4 in Glaslough, County Monaghan. His father was the Station Manager for the Great Northern Railway in Monaghan Town.
By 1911 Walter was 13 years old. The family now lived at 24 North Road in Monaghan town. His parent had been married 15 years. Walter was at school.
Walter attended the Model School in Monaghan before transferring to Royal School Dungannon in 1913.
Walter then went on to pursue a military career by entering Sandhurst in England on 27 April 1916.
After training, in October 1916, he obtained a commission with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
It seems he served throughout the remainder of the war.
2nd Lieutenant Walter Johnston died on 17th May 1920 from an illness contracted whilst on active service. He was 22 years old.
From the Weekly Irish Times dated Saturday 22 May 1920: Roll of Honour
Johnston, 17 May 1920, from illness contracted on active service, Lieutenant Walter W Johnston, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, son of Walter Johnston and Mrs Johnston, Swan Park, Monaghan.
2nd Lieutenant Walter Wilson Johnston is buried in the churchyard of Monaghan Presbyterian Church.
2nd Lieutenant Walter Johnston in NOT listed in the CWGC.
His parents went on to live at Frederick House, Lurgan
Many thanks to Paul Kerr and the Royal School Dungannon for his research and all the information provided.
Read more
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Johnston family Lists Walter Wilson as age 3 living with the family at house 4 in Glaslough, Monaghan
2 1910 Ulster Towns Directory - Monaghan Great Northern Railway—Wm. Johnston, stationmaster
3 1911 Census lists Johnston family Lists Walter Wilson as age 13 living with the family at house 24 in North Road, Monaghan Urban, Monaghan
4 Forum discussion on Walter Johnston Details of 2nd Lieutenant Walter Wilson Johnston
5 National Archives UK 2nd Lieutenant Walter Wilson Johnston, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023