Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

He was 19 and the eldest son of John Henry and Maggie Hutton Gaudie Johnston, nee Harkness, of "Belmont," Alexandra Drive, Bootle, Liverpool, England.

His parents were married at St.Leonard's C.of E. Church, Bootle, in 1895.
 
They had five more children, all of whom survived childhood; Erica Dinah Lilian Isabel (born 1896), Thelma Henrietta (born 1897), Olaf Louttit (born 1901) Olga Margaret (born 1905) and Helen Grace (born 1907). 
 
His mother was born at Birkenhead, Cheshire and his father was from Maryport, Cumberland. By 1891 he had moved to Liverpool, where he was living in lodgings at 40 Newstead Road, Toxteth Park and working as a post office clerk.
 
By 1901 he and his family were living at 129 Thornton Road, Bootle. They had moved to 18 Diana Road, Orrell by 1911. By the time Wilfrid Henry died they were living at Belmont, Alexandra Drive, Bootle.
 
John Henry Johnston had reached the rank of overseer at Liverpool Post Office by 1911. He eventually became a councillor for the Orrell Ward, a Justice of the Peace and, in 1920, Bootle's first Labour Party Mayor. In October 1920 he and his wife visited the site of their son's grave in France and wrote a long article that appeared in the Bootle Times on the 15th October 1920.
 
 
The records show that he enlisted at Balaclava in the state of Victoria, Australia on the 19th March 1917. As he was under 21 years of age he had to have special permission from his parents and the Minister of Defence to enlist in the Australian forces. At the time of his enlistment he was employed as a clerk and his address was 100 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, Victoria.
 
He was 5ft 8 inches tall, weighed 168 lbs. with fair hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He had a tattoo on his left upper arm and a number of small scars.
 
He sailed for Europe from Melbourne aboard the Suevic on the 21st June 1917, arriving at Liverpool on the 26th August 1917. He was stationed in England, mainly at schools of  instruction in the Salisbury Plain area, until February 1918. On the 6th of that month he departed Southampton for Le Havre.
 
He was killed in action two months later and buried in an isolated grave S of Hebuterne 7 miles. N of Albert". After the war his body was exhumed and reinterred at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, a mile closer to Albert, where his parents visited his grave in October 1920.
 
A report on his death appeared in the Bootle Times on the 26th April 1918. His photo appeared in the report and is reproduced here with the kind permission of the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo.
 
BOOTLE COUNCILLOR'S SON.
PRIVATE W.H. JOHNSTON KILLED IN ACTION.
   Yet another names has to be added to Bootle's Roll of Honour - Wilfrid Henry Johnston, of the Australian Infantry, son of Councillor J.H. Johnston, J.P., and Mrs. Johnston, Alexandra Drive, Orrell. The sad intimation was received on Friday last that after nine days' incessant fighting, in which the enemy was not allowed to gain an inch of ground, this gallant young soldier was killed almost instantaneously in the front trenches by a German bullet.
   In a touching letter of sympathy to Pte. Johnston's parents, the Chaplain says: "His life was above reproach - clean-souled, fearless, cheerful, a fine soldier - 'a very gallant gentleman' and a follower of his great Captain, Christ - His memory shall abide in many lives made better by his presence. He had time only to think of you before he went Home. "Write to my people for me," was all he said. His last thought was not for himself."
Thus ends, shortly after attaining his 19th year, a life full of great promise. Pte. Wilfrid Johnston attended Linacre, Orrell, and the Technical Schools in his native Borough, was captain of his school football team at the age of 11, and later on developed into a fine athlete. He was a member of the Linacre Wesleyan Sunday School. Many of his boyhood chums have also made the great sacrifice, and to those who remain his and their example of "playing the game" like Britishers will always be an incentive to noble life, and, if needs be, heroic unselfish, Christian death.
Bootle Times 26th April 1918
 
His family placed notices in the Bootle Times on the anniversary of his death and on his birthdays.
 
JOHNSTON - In ever loving memory of Wilf. (Australian Infantry), who made the Supreme Sacrifice, April 11th, 1918.
"We'll know why clouds instead of sun
   Were over many a cherished plan;
Why songs have ceased when scarce begun;
   'tis there, some time, we'll understand."
- Mother, Father, Rica, Thelma, Olaf, Olga, and Gracie, "Belmont," Alexandra Drive, Aintree.
 
Bootle Times 11th April 1919
JOHNSTON. - In cherished birthday remembrance of Wilfrid ("My Wilf"), Australian Infantry, killed in action, April 1918.
     "A true disciple of Christ's, his consistent life was an inspiration to all who knew him."
     "Renew my will from day to day,
Blend it with Thine, and take away
All that now makes it hard to say
        'Thy Will be done.' "
             - Mother, "Belmont," Aintree.
   "Blooming for ever in his Master's Garden."
             - Olga and Gracie.
 
Bootle Times 27th February 1920
JOHNSTON - With grateful homage and in loving 22nd birthday remembrance of Wilfrid Henry Johnston, 14th Australian Infantry, killed in action at Hebuterne, France, on 11th April, 1918. - Born 27th February, 1899.
"The hill, the valley, the bridge;
     Then, HOME."
- Wilfrid's message: "Have faith in God."
- Belmont, Alexandra Drive, Orrell.
 
Bootle Times 25th February 1921
 

He is remembered on the Merseyside Roll of Honour and on the War Memorial in St Andrew’s Church in Linacre.

["Bootle-cum-Linacre, a township and three chapelries in Walton-on-the-Hill parish, Lancashire. The township lies on the Mersey.]