Originally joined up 06/05/1915 in the East Yorkshire Regiment, and posted to France 10/02/1916. Discharged 18/05/1916, due to eyesight problems, not connected with the war. Re-enlisted in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 02/04/1917, possibly wounded but definitely hospitalised 18/02/1918, and then again 18/09/1918. Shipped back to hospital in Leicester by 30/09/1918 and discharged as no longer physically fit, on 01/03/1919. Suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Died 14/04/1919.
WILLIAM BERNARD JOHNSTON WAS BORN HULL 1896. BAPTISED 26/11/1896. SECOND SON OF CHARLES CROSBY JOHNSTON (1861-1915) AND MARY JANE SOUTHWICK (1861-1901). ONE OF SEVEN CHILDREN. HE WAS A WELL KNOWN FOOTBALLER, FOR BILLINGSGATE & ST JUDES. DESCRIBED AS 5 FOOT 7INCHES TALL, 35 INCH CHEST, FAIR COMPLEXION, BROWN EYES, DARK HAIR, NORMAL VISION WITH GLASSES. HE HAD WORN GLASSES SINCE THE AGE OF 7. HE LIVED AND WORKED AT HIS FATHER’S BUTCHER SHOP, 199 HESSLE ROAD.
HE ENLISTED HULL 06/05/1915. FORMERLY, PRIVATE, 3797, 2/4TH EYR. TRANSFERRED TO THE ARMY VETINERY CORPS. DISCHARGED FROM THE ARMY (SILVER BADGE NUMBER:112155). HE DIED OF INFLUENZA, AGED 22.
HIS DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE HULL DAILY MAIL, ON 15/04/1919, WITH HIS PHOTO.*
HIS FATHER WAS LOST ON THE STEAM SHIP ‘SAPPH’ ON 27/12/1915, AGED 54. HIS ELDER BROTHER, PTE, CHARLES CROSBY JOHNSTON, CEF, WAS KILLED AT YPRES ON 19/04/1916, AGED 29. A YOUNGER BROTHER IS STILL SERVING.
