Private Reginald Joseph Winfield Johnston

Private Reginald Joseph Winfield Johnston (1895-1917)

Reginald Joseph Winfield Johnston was born on 10 August 1895 in Springfield (later Fairford), Manitoba, Canada, son of Joseph William Johnston and Margaret Jane Johnston (later Garrioch). Before enlisting, he worked as a homesteader and lived in the Fairford region of Manitoba.

Johnston enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Winnipeg on 19 January 1916, at age 20. He initially joined the 107th Overseas Battalion and sailed from Halifax on 18 September 1916, arriving in England for training. On 28 November 1916 he transferred to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion (The Canadian Scottish) and was taken on strength with that unit on 4 December 1916.

The 16th Battalion took part in major engagements on the Western Front. On 15 August 1917, the battalion was engaged in the opening of the Allied assault on Hill 70 near Lens, France. Johnston was killed in action on either 15 or 16 August 1917, in the course of that battle. He was 22 years old.

In August 2011, skeletal remains with associated artefacts, including a 16th Battalion button, a ring, and an identification disc, were discovered near the village of Vendin-le-Vieil, France, during a munitions clearance operation. Through historical research, forensic anthropological analysis and DNA testing under the Canadian Forces Casualty Identification Program, the remains were confirmed as those of Private Johnston.

His name was previously listed on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial (for Canadians who died in France with no known grave). However, following the identification of his remains, he was formally buried on 24 August 2017 in the Loos British Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, France.

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