James Hogarth Johnston was born in Cecil, Augher on the 22nd December 1886. He was the son of Patrick and Susan Elliot Johnston. The 1901 census records James as 14 years old. He was still at school. His father was a farmer who was originally from Tralee. His mother was from Scotland. The family was living at Knockmary, Cecil, Tyrone. The 1911 census shows James to be 25 years old. He was working on his father’s farm. James Hogarth Johnston emigrated to Canada. He worked as a carpenter. James H Johnston enlisted on 23rd September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. He was not married. He was 5'10" tall. He gave his next of kin as his father, who was now living at Broomhill, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone. Private James Hogarth Johnston was serving with "G" company, 16th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). when he died on 23rd April 1915, age 28.
Further Information
James Hogarth Johnston was the second and only surviving son of Patrick and Susan Elliot Johnston (nee Rutherford). His mother was the daughter of James Hogarth Rutherford of Kelso in Scotland.
James Hogarth Johnston was born in Cecil, Augher on 22nd December 1886. He was one of five children, four surviving.
Known family: Patrick Johnston, Susan Elliott Johnston, Margaret Harriet Johnston (born about 1881, County Meath), George Johnston (born 5th December 1884, Clogher, died 12th March 1897, age 12) , James Hogarth Johnston (born 20th December 1886, Clogher), Susan Elizabeth Johnston (born 23rd August 1888, Clogher).
The 1901 census records James as 14 years old. He was still at school. His father was a farmer who was originally from Tralee. The family was living at Knockmary, Cecil, Tyrone
James was educated at Carntall National School and then at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen.
After leaving school James worked for a time at Combe Barbour's Engineering Works and at those of McLean, at Belfast.
He went to New Zealand in November 1905 at the age of 19. He remained there five years.
In 1910 he returned to Ireland.
The 1911 census shows James to be 25 years old. He was working on his father's farm.
Nine months later James emigrated to Winnipeg in Canada. He worked as a carpenter.
1914
James H Johnston enlisted on 23rd September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. He was not married. He was 5'10" tall.
He gave his next of kin as his father, who by 1914, was now living at Broomhill, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.
James Johnston came over with the 1st Canadian Contingent in October 1914. They left for France on 4th February 1915
1915
Private James Hogarth Johnston was serving with "G" company, 16th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) when was killed in action in the heroic charge of the Canadian Scottish near St Julien on the night of the 23-24 April 1915 at the beginning of the First Battle of Ypres. He was aged 28.
The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Private Johnston was killed in action on 23rd March 1915. His unit was involved in an attack in the vicinity of St Julien at the time.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 18th May 1915:
Mr Patrick Johnston, auctioneer, of Broomhill, Clogher, has received official intimation that his only son, James H Johnston, a Private in the Canadian Scottish contingent, has been killed in action. The deceased had spent five years in New Zealand, and was latterly in Winnipeg, where he volunteered on the outbreak of war.
Memorials and Obituaries
Private James H Johnston has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Private James Hogarth Johnston is commemorated locally on Clogher War Memorial and on Fivemiletown War Memorial.
Johnston, James Hogarth: Private No 29230, G Company, 14th Platoon, 16th Battalion, (Canadian Scottish) Canadian Expeditionary Force. Second and only surviving son of Patrick Johnston of Broomhill, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone. By his wife, Susan Elliot, daughter of the late James Hogarth Rutherford of Kelso. Born Cecil, Augher, County Tyrone, 21st December 1886. Educated Carntall, Clogher National School and Portora Royal School Enniskillen. Worked for a time at Combe Barbour’s Engineering Works and at those of McLean, at Belfast. He went to New Zealand in November 1905 at the age of 19. He remained there five years. He returned to Ireland and 9 months later went to Winnipeg Canada. He joined the Canadian Scottish at Winnipeg in August 1914. Came over with the 1st Contingent in October. Left for France 4th February and was killed in action in the heroic charge of the Canadian Scottish near St Julien on the night of the 23-24 April 1915 at the beginning of the First Battle of Ypres.
The CWGC record Private James Hogarth Johnston was the son of Patrick and Susan Elliot Johnston, of Broomhill, Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone, Ireland.
Private James Hogarth Johnston is listed on page 11 of the Fivemiletown book, from which most of these details come from. Many thanks to Mark Byers for the information.
