---

 

Private William H. Johnston

 

The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present, other than that he was from Belfast, and may have worshipped at the Broadway Presbyterian Church.

William H. Johnston enlisted in the North Irish Horse at some point following the declaration of war in August 1914 (regimental number unknown).

At the end of December 1916 he was one of forty North Irish Horsemen who volunteered to transfer to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The formal transfer took place on 9 January 1917, and on the same day they embarked for France, where they were posted to the 10th Battalion, joining it at Ploegsteert Wood on the Ypres front on 16 January. Johnston was issued regimental number 40646.

The War Office Daily Casualty List of 24 July 1917 reported that Johnston had been wounded. He recovered and was able to return to his regiment at the front, but he was wounded again, probably during the retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918.

No further information has been located about Johnston's service in the war.