More about John Buist Johnston

John Buist Johnston   885  South African Horse

HOW A LONGFORGAN TROOPER

FELL IN EAST AFRICA FACING GREAT ODDS.

Particulars regarding the death of Trooper John Buist Johnston, South African Horse, son of Mr P. L. Johnston, Templehall, Longforgan, and grandson of the late Mr Alex Chalmers, manufacturer, Dundee, have just been received.  The chaplain of the battalion writing from East Africa, states that, Trooper Johnston was killed at Kissaki, about 90 miles south of Morogoro, from which place the Germans retired on August 26.

The South African Horse pursued them into the mountains, and on September 8 they reached Kissaki.  It was thought that the Germans would never stand again, but when the South Africans were returning from the mountains to the town a large force of the enemy—three times as large as the South African—attacked them with machine guns.  Trooper Johnston was killed early in the day, but his body was got at nightfall, when they retired to the hills to await reinforcements.

The chaplain adds:^__”I have heard from those who were near to him that he fought bravely, and went on in the jungle without hesitation, though it was very dense and the enemy was all around.  We buried him with nine others on 9th Sept. on the slopes of the hill by the roadside, and the graves have all been marked with crosses inscribed with all particulars.  When the war is over his grave like all others in this country, will be reverently cared for by a committee of ladies from British East Africa.  You will be proud to know that he was respected and very much liked in the regiment, both by officers and men.  He was a good soldier and a good comrade.  We mourn his loss, and wish we had more like him.”

Dundee Courier 4th January 1917