William Henry Johnston
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William Henry Johnston (December 21, 1879 - June 8, 1915) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was 34 years old, and a captain in the 59th Field Company, Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army during the Race to the Sea in the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 14 September 1914 at Missy, France, Captain Johnston worked with his own hands two rafts on the River Aisne. He returned with wounded from one side and took back ammunition. He continued to do this under heavy fire all day, thus enabling an advanced brigade to maintain its position across the river.
[edit] Further information
He later achieved the rank of major. He was killed in action, Ypres, Belgium, on 8 June 1915.
[edit] The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum (Chatham, England).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
- The Sapper VCs (Gerald Napier, 1998)
- Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
- VCs of the First World War - 1914 (Gerald Gliddon, 1994)
