Private William Johnston
It is very probable that this North Irish Horseman was the William Johnston born on 13 June 1889 at Killymullin, Drung, County Cavan, the third of twelve children of farmer Robert Johnston and his wife Elizabeth (née Mills). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Killymullin with his parents and four of his siblings and working as a farmer.
Johnston enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 4 and 10 March 1914 (No.925 – later Corps of Hussars No.71163). He embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
On 17 November 1914 he was admitted to No.3 Casualty Clearing Station suffering from bronchitis, but was well enough to return to his unit four days later.
Johnston remained with the regiment throughout the war. He was still serving on 12 March 1920, with the Army of Occupation in Cologne, Germany. He married there, later returning with his wife to County Cavan, where they spent the rest of their lives.
He died on 13 May 1967.
Images kindly provided by Joe Breen.