Main CPGW Record
Surname: JOHNSTONE
Forename(s): Walter McLeod
Place of Birth: Culcheth, Lancashire
Service No: 7538
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Battalion / Unit: 1st Battalion
Division: 1st Division
Age: 34
Date of Death: 1914-09-08
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: 5.
CWGC Cemetery: SABLONNIERES NEW COMMUNAL CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Walter McLeod Johnstone (born 24 February 1880) was the son of Henry George and Eleanor Johnstone, née Hirst. Henry was born at Sunninghill, Berkshire and Eleanor at Colne, Lancashire.
1881 Culcheth, Lancashire Census: School Lane - Walter McLeod Johnstone, aged 1 year, born Culcheth, son of Henry George and Eleanor Johnstone.
1891 Warrington, Lancashire Census: 14, Froghall Lane - Walter McLeod Johnstone, aged 11 years, born Culcheth, Lancashire, son of Henry George and Eleanor Johnstone.
1901 Warrington, Lancashire Census: 20, Froghall Lane - Walter McLeod Johnstone, aged 21 years, born Culcheth, Lancashire. Soldier in Royal Highlanders, son of Henry George and Eleanor Johnstone.
1911 Warrington, Lancashire Census: 23, Lower Wash Lane, Latchford - Walter McLeod Johnstone, aged 31 years, born Culcheth, Lancashire. Storekeeper. [Walter's mother was living with him.]
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte W.M. Johnstone, 7538, R. Highrs. Theatre of War first served in: ( - ) [France]. Date of entry therein: 13.8.14. K. in A. 8.9.14.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte W.M. Johnstone, 7538, Royal Highlanders. Date of Disembarkation: 13.8.14. Killed in action 8.9.14.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Walter McLeod Johnstone, 7538, 1st Bn Royal Highrs. Date and Place of Death: 8.9.14. In action. Place of Birth, Date of Enlistment, Trade on Enlistment: Leith 11.1.00. Clerk. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother - Eleanor. £6 10s. 3d. Brother - Chas. Hy. £0 10s. 1d. Sister - Jessie Campbell. £0 10s. 1d. Sister - Elizth. Nora. £0 10s. 1d. Sister - Martina Eleanor. £0 10s. 1d. Sister - Amy Dora. £0 10s. 1d. Sister in law - Annie. £0 10s. 1d. for children of late J.H. Johnstone.
Walter is commemorated on Warrington War Memorial and in the Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
A short biography of Walter is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
JOHNSTONE, Walter Macleod, aged 35, Black Watch, son of the late Mr. H.G. Johnstone and Mrs. Johnstone, who formerly kept a school in Park Road, [Barnoldswick], also brother to Mrs. Norman Livsey and Nurse Johnstone, of Barnoldswick, killed in action Sept. 8, 1914.
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Private Walter McLeod JOHNSTONE
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Black Watch (Royal Highlanders)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 1st Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
09 October 1914
FORMER BARNOLDSWICK RESIDENT AMONGST THE KILLED
Many Barnoldswick residents will learn with regret of the death of Private Walter Macleod Johnstone, son of the late Mr. H. G. Johnstone and Mrs. Johnstone, of Latchford, Warrington, who formerly kept a high school in Park Road, Barnoldswick. ‘Mac', as he was familiarly known amongst the companions of his youth here, was brother to Mrs. Norman Livsey and Nurse Johnstone, of Barnoldswick. He was 35 years of age, and had served in the famous Black Watch Regiment through the Boer War, where he gained the rank of corporal. Afterwards, drafted to India, he suffered much from fever and returned to England at the termination of his service nine years ago, since when he has been on the reserve. His time expired last January, but the moment war was declared Mr. Johnstone volunteered for service with his old regiment, enlisting as a private, and travelled all night to reach his headquarters, the regiment being one of the first to cross to the Continent. He was a highly intelligent and well-educated man, and well known and very popular in Warrington, where he was in the employ of the Richmond Gas Stove and Meter Co. Ltd.
The following letter, received from the Quartermaster of the regiment by one of his relatives, describes the manner of his death:–
" He fell at ----- on the 8th September… His death was sudden and painless, as he was hit in the head and breast when in the forefront of our line. He ' went out' with our captain, a lieutenant, and eight others. I shall be glad to give you full particulars anon, as in the meantime I can hardly cope with my work- 24 hours seem too short for a day. The non commissioned officers and men join in their deep regret for the loss of a dear and brave comrade, and with me tender to you their deepest sympathy in your loss."
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – BARNOLDSWICK
Pte. Walter Macleod Johnstone, Black Watch, son of the late Mr. H.G. Johnstone and Mrs. Johnstone, who formerly kept a school in Park Road, Barnoldswick; also brother to Mrs. Norman Livsey and Nurse Johnstone of Barnoldswick. Aged 35. Killed in action on September 8th 1914.
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