Author Topic: Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool  (Read 790 times)

Offline Clarijo

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Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool
« on: Saturday 27 March 21 12:19 GMT (UK) »
Very long shot, but I am trying to find out where my grandfather Richard JOHNSTON (1891-1955) was during the First World War, and specifically why he wasn't in the armed forces. He married my grandmother in 1914, so I suppose this might be a reason.  BUT for decades there has been intense family speculation, rumour and downright refusal to talk.  Hints have been made about a hidden history but, as often happens, all the main proponents are now dead.
His 2 younger brothers both died on the fields France tragically within 48 hrs of each other.  My grandfather had strong links to Ireland, particularly the Drumcondra area, and my father (deceased) remembers him spending protracted periods of time there in the 1930s for reasons which were never explained.   My grandfather was extremely taciturn and never spoke of his younger life.

His parents were Anne and James Johnston.  I would be very grateful indeed if anyone anywhere knows anything!

Offline Milliepede

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Re: Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 27 March 21 15:33 GMT (UK) »
He mar
Quote
ried my grandmother in 1914, so I suppose this might be a reason. 

What occupation did he have when he married?

Have you found him on the 1911 census?
Hinchliffe - Huddersfield Wiltshire
Burroughs - Arlingham Glos
Pick - Frocester Glos

Offline Milliepede

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Re: Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 27 March 21 15:45 GMT (UK) »
Do you know where he lived after he married?

Only there is a Richard Johnstone Royal Engineers who was discharged as no longer physically fit for service 1 Apr 1918.

Address given 108 Brainard? Street
? Brook
Liverpool

that one was a chemist so any occupation clues for your Richard would help rule this one in or out.
He was 28 so age fits.

Hinchliffe - Huddersfield Wiltshire
Burroughs - Arlingham Glos
Pick - Frocester Glos

Online Girl Guide

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Re: Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 27 March 21 16:00 GMT (UK) »
Is this his marriage?

Marriages Sep 1914
JOHNSTON    Richard    Thorpe    Liverpool    8b   185   
Thorpe    Elizabeth    Johnston    Liverpool    8b   185
Ashford: Somerset, London
England: Devon, London, New Zealand
Holdway: Wiltshire
Hooper: Bristol, Somerset
Knowling: Devon, London
Southcott: Devon, China
Strong: Wiltshire
Watson: Cambridgeshire
White: Bristol
Windo - Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire


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Re: Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool
« Reply #4 on: Saturday 27 March 21 16:38 GMT (UK) »
I know this isn't what you are specifically looking for but I thought I would add this:-

SERJEANT
WALTER JOHNSTON
Service Number: 17545
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Royal Field Artillery

"A" Bty. 170th Bde.

Date of Death
Died 04 July 1916

Age 21 years old

Buried or commemorated at
ST. SEVER CEMETERY, ROUEN

A. 22. 26.

France

Son of James and Ann Johnston, of 50, Latimer St., Liverpool.

I can't seem to pinpoint the one for John.

Ashford: Somerset, London
England: Devon, London, New Zealand
Holdway: Wiltshire
Hooper: Bristol, Somerset
Knowling: Devon, London
Southcott: Devon, China
Strong: Wiltshire
Watson: Cambridgeshire
White: Bristol
Windo - Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire

Offline MonicaL

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Re: Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool
« Reply #5 on: Saturday 27 March 21 17:08 GMT (UK) »
This looks like him on the 1911 census from what has been mentioned www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWTJ-G6Q

And his birth in 1890 Liverpool www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N17Q-7BC

Monica
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Offline heywood

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Re: Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool
« Reply #6 on: Saturday 27 March 21 17:29 GMT (UK) »
This one seems likely in 1911

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWRP-1KW

Annie Johnston married Patrick McGill in 1902
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Offline MonicaL

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Re: Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool
« Reply #7 on: Saturday 27 March 21 18:47 GMT (UK) »
That is a much better fit for the family with Richard's brothers, Heywood  ;)

Monica
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Offline heywood

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Re: Can anyone help? Richard JOHNSTON 1891-1955 Liverpool
« Reply #8 on: Saturday 27 March 21 19:02 GMT (UK) »
Yes, I think it his him, Monica and he was a clerk  :-\
I have a relative who was described as ‘not likely to make an efficient soldier’ or similar. Maybe that is what happened with Richard. Additionally, not all records were saved.
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