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John Johnston

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John Johnston (image courtesy of Michael Caldwell)

Military Information

  • Date of enlistment:
  • Place of enlistment:
  • Service no: K/18697
  • Rank: Stoker 1st Class
  • Service Occupation:
  • Awards:
  • Regiment/Service: H.M. Submarine E-30
  • Unit/Ship: Royal Navy
  • Place of Death: Lost at Sea
  • Age at Death: 28
  • Date of Death: 22.11.1916
  • Burial Country:
  • Cemetery: Portsmouth Naval Memorial
  • Grave/Mem Ref no: Panel 18

Personal Information

  • Date of Birth:
  • Place of Birth:
  • Address: 1 Melrose Terrace, Dundee
  • Occupation:
  • Mother:

    Jane Johnston, 1 Melrose Tce, Dundee

  • Father:

    James Johnston, 1 Melrose Tce, Dundee

  • Siblings:
  • Spouse:
  • Children:

More about John Johnston

John has no known grave but is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. He was serving aboard H.M. Submarine E-30 which left Harwich on 15th November 1916. She sunk in the North Sea possibly due to a mine off Orford Ness. The minefield was not located until 25th November 1916.

John Johnston   Royal Navy

DUNDEE NAVY MAN LOST ON ACTIVE SERVICE.

Information has been received that First Class Stoker John Johnston, second son of Mr and Mrs James Johnston, 1 Melrose Terrace, Dundee, has lost his life while on active service.

Stoker Johnston was 28.  On leaving school he became a telegraph messenger at the General Post Office, Dundee, and while in the postal service he won the cup and three medals for swimming and gymnastics. Emigrating to America, he remained there for five years, and evinced a desire for a naval life.  American friends advised him to join the U.S. navy, but Stoker Johnston replied, “If I sail I sail under my own flag—the Union Jack.”  Returning home, he joined the British Navy, in which he had served for about four years.

Dundee Courier 19th January 1917

Information supplied by Gary Thomson, additional information courtesy of Michael Caldwell

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