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The Rev. Johnston Redmond, who has succeeded the Rev. R. E. Saunders as priest-in-charge of the Church of England at Millicent, has had varied and interesting expediences since coming to Australia. Before taking holy orders he spent some time in the outback districts of Queensland, whither he had migrated from the north of Ireland. He obtained his degree of Th.L.with first-class, honors at the Ballarat Theological College in 1905, was appointed a deacon in the same year, and was ordained as .priest by the Bishop of Ballarat in 1908, obtaining permission to officiate in the diocese of Melbourne in 1923. In the meantime he had worked strenuously as a teacher in the Theological College, and was deacon of Apsley in 1906; curate of Camperdown, 1907-09; Ararat, 1909; Coleraine, 1910; priest of Heywood (with a parish extending as far as Mumbannar), 1910-11; Murtoa, 1911- 17; acting -sub-warden at the Ballarat College, 1915-16; and vicar of Warmambool, 1917-23. For two years he was on service as padre to Australian divisions in France, where he had his full share of the vicissitudes of a digger's life during the great war, Invalided home, he returned to Warrnambool before his health had been fully restored, and the strain of the work told on him to such an extent that eventually he had to rest for 18 months. His last station before coming to Millicent was in the Dandenong ranges, in west Gippsland. The rev. gentleman is favorably impressed by what he has seen of the Millicent parish, and feels that his ministry here, will be a happy one.

The South Eastern Times Friday 13 August 1926 page 2

From Ballarat & District in the Great War

Chaplain 4th Class Johnston Redmond
 
It was not an uncommon sight to see multiple brothers in uniform during the Great War. Some local families, like the Mills family from Gordon, and the Hussey’s from Skipton, claimed such high enlistment rates amongst their men it was used as enlistment publicity in multiple newspapers. A rarer occurrence was more than one brother serving as chaplains. The Redmond brothers, John and Johnston, held quite a unique role in that regard. And Johnston had a special connection to Ballarat.

The early years of the reign of Queen Victoria saw turbulent times for much of Ireland. Although just a boy at the height of the potato famine, Johnston Redmond senior, felt the sting of injustice and spent his life railing against the absentee landlord system. His grandson, Jack Redmond (son of John) would later recount memories of Johnston Redmond.

‘…My grandfather Johnston received a hedge-school education until he was 13 or 14, when he went home to work. In his youth and later he suffered the grinding by the landlords like all other tenants, and helped others to hide away harvested crops, animals and chattels when about to be evicted by the bailiffs. He devoted much time to hounding the landlords using the "Fair Rent etc" legislation, using solicitor or writ-server as necessary. Finally the injustice of the landlord system drove him to join the Home Rule Liberal group which promised to end the system and allow the farmer to buy out his holding once and for all. This would put an end to eviction of those poor tenants unable to pay the rent after bad harvests….’
Despite these seemingly limited educational opportunities, three of Johnston’s brothers – John, Walker and Leonard – all became successful doctors.
Johnston Redmond married Elizabeth Stoops in 1875. They were to produce a family of seven, with John, born on 5 February 1876, being the eldest and Johnston their fifth child, born on 22 October 1881.
The purchase of Grange House in 1879 was a clear indicator of the position held by the Redmond family. The home itself suggested a genteel existence and provided work for several servants. Situated at Grange Lower in Loughgall, 7-miles west of Portadown in Armagh, the farm was to remain in the family for the next one hundred years. Johnston senior was to become ‘a distinguished grower of the Bramley apple.’
The arrival of the railway turned Portadown into a major town, becoming known colloquially as the “hub of the north.” It was there that Johnston Redmond’s birth was registered, although his mother most likely delivered him at home.

Johnston’s early education was as a boarder at the Dundalk Grammar School in County Louth. In his senior years he gained certificates in Latin, English, French, mathematics, and science through competitive examinations by the Intermediate Board of Education for Ireland. He applied himself diligently to his studies and successfully completed the matriculation examinations set by the Royal University of Ireland, with 2nd Class certificates in science and arts.

The presence of two uncles, Walker and Leonard Redmond, in Far North Queensland, was the right incentive for a teenager to set out on a coming-of-age adventure. Johnston sailed for Australia on 15 June 1901 onboard the SS Runic. He reached Sydney just over six weeks later. Experiencing outback Queensland was something of a culture shock for the young Irishman. Charters Towers and Innisfail of the early 1900’s was very different to the forty shades of green of his homeland.

It is interesting that in choosing to pursue a career in the church, Johnston decided to remain in Australia to study. He enrolled at St Aidan’s College, Ballarat, which at the time had an enviable record of producing a fine standard of clergymen.

Johnston quickly became a familiar face around Ballarat. At the anniversary celebrations of St David’s Church, Warrenheip, in December 1904, he was one of the guest preachers.

In November 1905, the annual examination by the Australian College of Theology for the degree of Licentiate in Theology, Johnson Redmond and his friend Edward Schweiger graduated with First Class Honours at the head of candidates from across the country. Johnston was then admitted to deacon’s orders in the Anglican Church at Ballarat’s Christ Church Cathedral on 24 December. The service was conducted by the Bishop of Ballarat, Arthur Green. He was also registered as a teacher (both primary and secondary) with the Education Department of Victoria.
The small town of Apsley in the West Wimmera was Johnston’s first appointment. It was a humble beginning and much of his work from the simple weatherboard church of St John’s was of a pioneering nature. He arrived at Apsley at the beginning of 1906 and served the district for 12-months.

In January 1907, Johnston moved to Camperdown as curate for St Paul’s Church of England. His duties also included acting as assistant at the local grammar school, where he taught as the senior master of mathematics.

On Monday 21 December 1908, at St Peter’s Church, Ballarat, Johnston was ordained as a priest of the Anglican Church by Bishop Green.

When Johnston left Camperdown in July 1909, he was presented with a purse of sovereigns and a smoker’s outfit by his congregation. The staff and students of the grammar school also presented him with a kit bag. His new parish was Holy Trinity at Ararat as assistant to the Reverend Sidney A. Beveridge.

During 1909, Johnston, whilst attending to his duties as curate, was master of mathematics at the Ararat Grammar School, and took on the role of board of education with the Ballarat Church of England Grammar School.

Speaking at the Anglican Synod at Ballarat in October 1909, Johnston impressed upon the listeners the importance of balance within the Sunday School organisation. He said, ‘…The great fault of the present system was that a large number of teachers had not sufficient education or natural personality to enable them to impress the children under their control. Their Sunday schools lacked enthusiasm, and this was shown in the fact that the confirmation services did not fill the churches. If punishment was to be applied in Sunday schools it should be applied judiciously. (Laughter.) They should not give too much, and they should not give too little…’

During his time at Ararat, Johnston made an important connection with Major Herbert Henry Umphelby Scott, who had a long association with the Victorian Rangers. He was also the local bank manager. Taking an active role with the cadets, Johnston soon earned the rank of lieutenant and a reputation for excellent training methods.

On 29 June 1910, the ladies of the Holy Trinity congregation organised what was termed a ‘return social’ to entertain the members of the Church of England Men's Society. During the course of the evening a valedictory was made to say a special farewell thankyou to Johnston Redmond. These social events were the life of the community, and this, despite inclement weather, was not an exception. The Parish Hall was ‘thronged’ for the evening’s entertainment that included the usual games, musical items and sumptuous supper.

Presentations and speeches were then made. Major Scott was called on to speak on behalf of the Vestry and School Council, with Mr Harrie Banfield speaking for the council.

‘…He knew there was no one present who was not genuinely sorry to part with Mr Redmond. His work in the school had been most successful, especially so far as the Cadets were concerned, and in spite of the handicap of holding a dual position his services in the parish had boon most acceptable. In fact only that evening someone had told him that the Rev. Mr Redmond was the best curate they had ever had…’
Mr Banfield said he had pleasure in conveying ‘an expression of its keen appreciation of the good services he had rendered to the school whilst a member of the staff. He also desired to give expression to their sincere regret at his departure, and wish him every success and happiness in his future sphere of usefulness…’ He was also at great pains to point out the severe strain the dual roles of school master and clergyman had placed on Johnston Redmond.

‘…Mr Redmond had made a sacrifice for them when they needed help. He came to them with a strong recommendation from his Lordship the Bishop of Ballarat as a man who would be a worthy champion of the school, whoso educational qualifications would be all that was desired, and whose personality would not be without effect in raising the tone of the school. His Lordship's recommendation had been fully realised, and Mr Redmond left with the unanimous regret of the council, and took with him its best wishes for his success in the parish to which he was going. At the same time the council was determined to maintain
efficiency of the staff of the school…’

Major Scott also spoke of the expressions of regret surrounding Johnston’s departure, noting in particular the sadness felt by the children. He also spoke with great appreciation of the work Johnston had put into the cadets. In presenting the young curate with a kit bag, Scott remarked ‘that though it was not a small one it could not hold all the good wishes that were felt for him in Ararat.’

Headmaster of the Ararat Grammar School, Mr Joseph Heber Davies, presented Johnston with a smoker’s outfit on behalf of the students.

In rising to accept the gifts, Johnston was overwhelmed by the rounds of applause.
He went on to say that he ‘…felt quite embarrassed by the kindness extended to him that evening. His stay in Ararat had been a very pleasant one indeed, because of the great kindness he had always met, but there had nevertheless been difficulties of a somewhat serious character to contend against. He had to discharge a double duty. It had given him great pleasure to work in the parish with the Rev. Mr Beveridge, and it had also been a pleasure to work with Mr Davies in the school, but this had now so grown that it was quite impossible for one man to do justice to both, and it was only wise that two men were to be got to do the work he had been doing. Since he came to Ararat the school attendance had practically doubled, and he felt that he could not block its progress. He was not able to do justice to the school and also justice to the parish, and his first duty was, (as it was no longer feasible to make the position a dual one), to the church. The head master and lady assistant could not possibly do all the work. He was very pleased to have been in Ararat. The vicar and the head master of the school were gentleman it was a pleasure to be associated with. They took the keenest interest in their work, and were animated by an intense desire to do what was right, and he could say from the bottom of his heart that they set a very fine, a truly noble example to the boys and girls of the school—an example which must operate for good in the future life of the pupils. He greatly appreciated the very nice present made to him, and infinitely more the kindness which had prompted it. His fondest hope was that in the place he was going to he would find such genuine and good friends and as great kindness as he had found in Ararat…’

In such a short space of time, Johnston Redmond had endeared himself to the people of Ararat. His qualities of ‘frank manliness, loyalty and probity’ were seen to be the ideal in such important positions. Leslie Manifold Gorrie, who was set to replace Johnston, had impressive shoes to fill.

Johnston preached his farewell sermon on 3 July, after which he was presented with a travelling rug and umbrella by the congregation. Johnston then left Ararat to take over his first parish, Holy Trinity at Coleraine.

While he was vicar at Coleraine, Johnston received a welcome visit from his brother John, who was serving as a minister with the Indian Mission as a member of the Irish Wesleyan Conference. The appearance of two Irish clergymen who were very similar in appearance apparently caused a number of instances of mistaken identity.

Speaking at the annual synod of the Anglican Church at Ballarat in December 1910, it was said that Johnston Redmond ‘startled many of his fellow clergymen’ with his rather ‘doleful’ story of the experiences of a parish priest out in the smaller communities.

‘…In one particular district he said his stipend was £150 per annum, but this amount saw him only over eleven months, and at the end of the year he was about £7 in debt. He had to do his own washing in order to economise. In the discharge of his priestly duties he had to ride a horse that went only on three legs. For a long while he had to ride another horse that was blind in one eye. Clergymen, he added, should not have horses which they had to "pedal" all the way on a journey…’

At the end of 1910, Johston took over the beautiful little wayside church of St James’, at Heywood near Portland. He succeeded the Reverend Frank Ingamells, who would later become a chaplain in the AIF. Johnston spent about 18-months in his position before he was transferred to Holy Trinity at Murtoa in October 1911. As part of his duties, he also led the congregation at St Saviour’s Church at Minyip. Once again, Johnston proved to be very popular within his parish.

In March 1912, it was announced that Johston had been granted an extended leave of absence to return home to Ireland. He took his departure during Easter with the intention of being away for 12-months.
On returning to Australia, Johnston married Constance Louise “Bird” Hoare from Cobden. The connection between the couple appears to have stemmed from his time as curate at Camperdown. The ceremony, which was celebrated at St Mary’s in Cobden on 4 June 1913, was conducted by Johnston’s long-time friend, Reverend Edward Schweiger.

This should have been an idyllic time for the vicar and his new wife. Whilst neither was in the “first flush of youth” – Johnston was 31 and Constance, 32 – the settled nature of a clergyman’s career offered years of interesting variations and ongoing contribution to communities. However, with the aggressive invasion of Belgium by Germany, Australia was catapulted into the first global conflict – the war to end all wars.

Initially, for Johnston Redmond, life continued on its set path. On 28 September 1915, it was announced that he had been appointed as sub-warden at St Aidan’s College in Ballarat, where it was intended he would be for the duration of the war.

Before leaving Murtoa, Johnston attended a farewell social on Friday 1 October, where he was presented with a purse of sovereigns. His parting sermon was preached the following Sunday to a large congregation and showed that Johnston was still an idealist, his text being “Thous shalt do no murder.”

‘…Besides the crime of the individual there was the heinous crime of national murder, by which unborn children were destroyed contrary to Divine law. Even the allied nations were not guiltless, the population of France having been seriously interfered with by pernicious practices. He counselled national purity amongst women, as "the hand that rocked the cradle ruled the world."’

During the service, Johnston unveiled the church Roll of Honour, which then bore the names of seven local men.

Back in Ballarat, Johnston and Constance were housed in quarters at St Aidan’s College. After a year as sub-warden, the diocese charged him with taking on the duties of vicar at St Paul’s Bakery Hill, succeeding Canon Thomas Colebrook. However, it was apparent that Johnston had already decided that he could better serve his congregation by joining the AIF as a chaplain. Although his enlistment was recorded as 18 September 1916, less than three weeks after his appointment to St Paul’s, Johnston had already completed an application for commission on 23 August.

His high level of education coupled with three years’ experience as a lieutenant under what he referred to as ‘the old voluntary cadet scheme’ made Johnston an excellent candidate for the role of chaplain. Nevertheless, he was still required to pass the physical examination. At 5-foot 6-inches, 10-stone in weight, with a chest measurement of 31 to 34-inches, and normal eyesight Johnston ticked all the boxes.
Around the same time his brother John joined the British Forces. He was commissioned on 1 January 1916 and served as a chaplain with the 36th Ulster Division.

John Redmond reached the Somme on 16 June 1916, and subsequently witnessed firsthand the tragedy that unfolded during the Battle of the Somme.

An avid diarist, John wrote, '...War is a barbarous thing and cruel and atrocious beyond words. This comes home to one with a shock as one sees young men coming in from the battlefield with the most terrible gashes and wounds - faces broken and swollen into all shapes and into no shape, limbs blown off and bones stripped of their flesh.

It is pitiful to see the unconscious fling their arms, and the constant turning and rising and changing position of those who have fatal wounds; and to look at the patient and uncomplaining suffering of strong men, whose faces are now pale as death and lie helpless...'
Later, when Major Willie Redmond, brother of Irish Nationalist leader John Redmond, was mortally wounded at Messines on 7 June 1917, it was Chaplain John Redmond who ministered to him in his final hours. Although they bore the same surname, they were apparently not related.


In Australia, the people of Murtoa were surprised to see their former vicar in khaki. His visit on 8 September lasted just a few hours, just long enough for members of the Holy Trinity congregation to hurriedly arrange a social at the parish hall. They presented Johnston with a ‘roll of notes’ on behalf of the parishioners.

While he was still in Australia, Johnston Redmond found himself carrying out one of the saddest duties of a clergyman. On 29 September, Reverend Fred Brammell received a cable from the Defence Department containing news of the death of Captain R. Godfrey Smith (21st Battalion), of Murtoa. Concerned at a lack of news Smith’s wife and mother-in-law had departed on the midday train for Melbourne to begin enquiries. The family sought the help of Johnston Redmond, who met the young widow at the Ballarat Railway Station to break the news. Smith had been killed in action at Pozieres on 26 August.
On 20 October 1916, as captain-chaplain 4th class, Johnston boarded the troopship Port Lincoln at Melbourne. The ship carried reinforcements for the 12th, 37th,38th, 39th, 46th, Infantry Battalions, 2nd Pioneers, and multiple Machine Gun Companies. Throughout the voyage Johnston and his Methodist colleague, Chaplain Albert Henry Mitchell, were responsible for the church parades and other forms of spiritual guidance. Writing to his uncle in Queensland, Johnston indicated that much of his spare time was filled censoring correspondence.

A frustrating lack of records has failed to disclose the birth of Johnston and Constance’s firstborn son, Jack. In all likelihood he was formally named John and he appears to have been born in late 1916. Given that Constance returned to her family at Cobden during Johnston’s absence on active duty, it is likely this was also Jack’s birthplace.

The voyage to England did not end smoothly for Johnston Redmond. When the Port Lincoln landed at Devonport on 9 January 1917, he was immediately admitted to the Devonport General Hospital for observation. On 17 February, he was transferred to the 3rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth. After a further month of “observation,” Johnston was sent to the stately home, Cobham Hall, in Kent, which had been converted to a convalescence hospital for officers by the 8th Earl of Darnley, Ivo Bligh, and his Australian wife, Florence. Johnston remained there for just over three weeks. At no point did the authorities indicate Johnston’s ailment, nor did they communicate the issue to Constance Redmond.

Johnston reached Perham Downs on 12 April; he joined the 2nd Training Battalion at Durrington a month later. Whilst there he wrote to Constable Samuel Ransom, who he had known from his time at Ararat.

‘…Salisbury Plain (see photo)
12th June, 1917
You will be glad to know that I met your boy, Lindsay (whom I used to teach at the C.E.G.S., Ararat) a few days ago. He is tall and looking very fit and well. He was on his way to a school at Tidworth (a few miles distant). I have met quite a number of old boys from the Ararat schools, boys who were children a few years ago and now here they are fighting for all we hold dear. I wish the men in Australia who were fit for war and could get away could be made to realise how they are betraying us all by not coming to take their share of the fighting, pain and hardship…’

After a little more than a month at Durrington, Johnston received his deployment orders and was on his way to France. He reached the Australian Divisional Base at Étaples on 24 June and was immediately sent to the 1st Australian Division Headquarters to undertake the duties as the Senior Church of England Chaplain. At the time the 1st Division Headquarters was at Baizieux, west of Albert.

In a letter to Ballarat insurance agent, Robert Sparrow, Johnston wrote of his first, and no doubt lasting impressions, of war on the Western Front. Set as “Somewhere in France on a sunny day,” the letter was dated 3 July 1917.

‘…It is necessary for me to say that on account of the scarcity of paper, as well also to save time, in so far as this letter will be a general one, to that extent I have decided to use carbon. The more personal parts of the letter I shall write separately. I intend to do this generally when writing, so now you understand, and understanding you will forgive.

I left camp on a Saturday afternoon after a terrible hustle, for I did not have much time to get away. I then kept on travelling until the following Friday night; that is, last Friday night. This is Tuesday morning. Here I am at last, not very far from the guns. For the first two nights, being unaccustomed to the sound, I did not sleep very well, but last night I slept like a top.
On Saturday I walked round mv field of work (and got wet), and made arrangements for voluntary commission services. I had four such services and 36 communicants. The officers have done anything they can to make me comfortable. I set out at 9.30 a.m. on Sunday with all my robes, vessels, etc., on my back, walking, and finished up about 9 p.m. I think I shall be as happy here as I was at Durrington Camp, and perhaps happier. I was very happy there lor those 10 weeks.

Padre Macpherson (Warrnambool), was my predecessor here. He has been "evacuated" to England owing to ill health. When I set out from Durrington my destination was quite different from this.

On the French railways there are no refreshment rooms, and so save for about 2½ days of the time spent in travelling, it was practically semi-starvation. Here we have good food and sufficient of it. It is quite possible, at least I find it so, to curtail one's food consumption, and yet keep in good condition, fit and well.

I passed through the country where Rupert Hoare (my wife's cousin) was undoubtedly killed [4213 Pte William Rupert Hoare, from Apsley, killed in action Pozieres 25 July 1916]. From the last point where I detrained I came by army motor car out here. I recognised place's whose photographs I had seen in Australia and in England before coming here.
We came to a town, X. Here the destruction was done, chiefly to the largest and best buildings, including a very fine church which was once a beautiful building and is now a pitiful ruin. The heart of the town was completely blown away. The Germans held this place for only a very short time.

Two or three miles further we came to a spot, and the Major said that is Z village. But I could see no trace of a village. It had vanished as completely as yesterday's daylight; there was no more of it. Soon we came to Y — a few heaps of rubbly brick and mortar and some timber smashed as you might smash an egg with the back of an axe. The next village was not so terrible, for here there stood a few pieces of cracked wall and some pieces of roof, lying or hanging in the air, but not wholly disintegrated; a piece of a kitchen range, a burnt saucepan, and a branch or two fresh and green, of what I took to be a currant bush. This was village W.

Further on we passed between heaps of rubbish and twisted iron, and broken timber, and on one side the remains of a wheel-barrow, a leaning piece of wall to which hung part of a door, and on the door a notice, "Kill that fly," which made us laugh. This was village V.
The remainder of the journey was a repetition of this.
At one place for some two or three miles we saw what had been one continuous line of dugouts and fortified points. Here there had been fighting fierce and terrible. The strength of this place had been tremendous, and it had also been entrenched and wired like a spider's web. The Huns had put unlimited labour into their defences, but our guns blew them out and our men finished off or captured what was left of these devils. Their dugouts were as close almost as the doors of houses in a town terrace. Their fortified points were dotted round in profusion.

To-day graves are found in little bunches with wooden crosses above them, or separately along the roadside (splendidly cared for considering circumstances) where our dead shall sleep until they hear the thunder of another sound, this time the trumpet that shall usher in the morn of the resurrection, when "Soul and body meet again."

In some mysterious way the whole place was terribly sad, yet grandly awful. Will the Australian national mind and heart ever be able to assess at their proper value these wayside cemeteries and lonely graves? If the national soul should prove itself incapable of doing this, that would alone in itself constitute a national catastrophe. The horrors, the hardships, and privations these men went through no pen can ever describe, and they did it that our own fair country, set like a gem, in the southern seas, and our country's women and their homes might be saved from the ghastly diabolisms of a bloody race whose dominant passion has been to shower ruin and horrors upon women and fields and houses alike. Last of all, I arrived here, and not far away is a village where the houses have been undoubtedly of the better class— a village— larger than usual. Here every house has been individually, separately, and systematically blown into the air. We will call it village T.

Here the pretty old church is in ruins, but it is the least demolished of all the villages I have seen so far, for quite a large number of houses have a wall, or part or a wall, or gable, or part of a roof still in position.

As I walked through I saw the head of a milk separator, and quite a number of burnt skeletons of perambulators, the only remnants of civilisation. When the Huns drove the civilians out of this place, I have been informed that they drove them, out pretty well en masse, and would not even allow the mothers to retain their perambulators. They went out in the clothes they stood up in, and without food. I wonder how many of those babies are of complete French parentage? These damnable brutes (I have been informed by a Frenchman) in some places certainly (for he said it was a known fact) had French women and girls in their trenches. Horror of horrors! "Shall I not punish for these things, saith the Lord, shall not My soul be avenged on such a nation as this." Let disgrace for ever attach to the Australian who is fit to come and free to come, but who doesn't come to take a hand in administering the just punishment these hell-dogs deserve, and which it is our duty to administer…’

Johnston’s first posting away from headquarters was on attachment to the 1st Divisional Ammunition Column at Beugny forward of Bapaume beginning on 29 June. He then moved to the 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot at Le Havre on 6 July.

On 30 September, he joined the 1st Infantry Brigade, which was then in the process of moving from the Steenvoorde sector to camp at Chateau Segard.
Back in Australia appointments and replacements within the Anglican Church continued to be organised and, on 17 November 1917, it was announced that Johnston had accepted the invitation to the post at Christ Church, Warrnambool. He was to succeed Archdeacon Thomas Pearse Bennett, who had also served overseas as a chaplain during the war. A locum tenens, Reverend W. Edgar Wood, was brought in to perform the duties until Johnston returned from the Front. In announcing the appointment, Johnston was recognised as ‘one of the most promising young men of the diocese.’

A series of concerns led to Johnston Redmond seeking a termination of his appointment as a chaplain. He wrote to Reverend Frederick W. Wray, the Senior Church of England Chaplain, on 3 January 1918, setting out his reasons, that were mainly connected to family concerns and the stability of his parish following his absence. His wife was also needing an operation that ‘now begins to appear to be imminently necessary,’ making it imperative that he be there to care for their son. Although he did not make mention of his own health, it was apparent that he had failed to recover fully since his arrival in early 1917.

Chaplain Wray, in responding to headquarters, stated that Johnston’s health was ‘not satisfactory and he does not seem equal to front line duty in winter.’

Johnston proceeded to England on leave on 23 February. A position as chaplain aboard the Hospital Ship Wandilla was secured and he left for Egypt on 16 March. The Australian leg of his journey was completed onboard the Hospital Ship Kanowna, leaving Suez on 15 April. They reached Melbourne on 22 May. Johnston travelled by train through to Ballarat, where he was warmly welcomed. Initially it was intended that Johnston would partake of a month-long holiday to recover his health, however, the preacher in him did not enjoy the silence.

With his appointment with the AIF terminated on 5 June, Johnston sought to resume his former life. On 16 June, he returned to preach at St Saviours Church in Minyip, where ‘there was a splendid congregation to hear this able and impressive cleric, who was extremely popular with his Minyip and Murtoa parishioners.’

Johnston visited his mother and father-in-law at Cobden and was present for Evensong at St Mary’s on Sunday 26 June.

The new vicar of Christ Church, Warrnambool, was inducted on 2 July 1918. A large congregation gathered for the impressive Tuesday evening ceremony and service. The Bishop of Ballarat, Dr Maxwell-Gumbleton, performed the institution to the vicarage of the Parish of Christ Church, with the induction by the Venerable Archdeacon Bennett.

At his first services the following Sunday, Johnston Redmond eloquently set the tone for his new parish.
‘…He said there never was a time in their national history when the church of their fathers was more severely tested than now, not only as a church corporate, but her members individually. In some quarters insincerity and selfishness had become more pronounced since the war began, and people said now is the time for church people to prove and justify their faith…’

Following the Armistice, a gathering of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held at the Warrnambool Town Hall. Johnston Redmond presided over the occasion and talked freely of his experiences as a chaplain and noted that ‘almost invariably’ the soldiers truly valued and used their Bibles. ‘For his own part he thought it the most fascinating book in the world.’
In 1922, Constance gave birth to the couple’s second son, Brian. However, it appears that the birth may have contributed to the failure of her health. She died at Sister Ingpen’s Private Hospital at Warrnambool on 17 August 1922. Her body was removed to Brighton for burial.

Constance had been a quiet, kindly presence in Johnston’s life. Her death affected him deeply. His own health was no longer robust and the pressures of raising a small boy and a baby proved too much. On 17 October 1922, it was confirmed that he had tendered his resignation to take effect on 31 January 1923. (In 1927, a font ewer was presented to Christ Church in memory of Constance Redmond. It has been in constant use ever since).

In August 1924, Johnston was appointed to St Mary’s Church at Sunbury. It was a brief position and he moved to the new parish of Dandenong – consisting of Mount Dandenong, Montrose and Olinda – before the end of the year.

After two years in the Dandenongs, Johston accepted a new post at Millicent in South Australia. He took over as vicar at St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church in August 1926.

On 1 March 1928, the engagement of Johnston Redmond to Hilda Ball was announced. Hilda was, at the time, the headmistress of Tintern Church of England Grammar School in the Melbourne suburb of Ringwood East.

The wedding was celebrated in the Memorial Chapel of Holy Trinity Church, Kew, on 27 April 1928, with the ceremony conducted by the Right Reverend Bishop Green. Hilda wore a gown of corn-coloured crepe de chine, draped and tucked in the style of period and carried a posy of orchids and autumn foliage. Following the service, the couple entertained a few intimate friends at Highbury Grove in Kew. When news of the wedding appeared in Melbourne Herald, the reporter made the interesting error of referring to the couple as “Mr and Mrs Ball.”

After returning from their honeymoon, Hilda was able to complete the year at Tintern before being required to resign from her teaching position. She did, however, maintain her ties to the school by inaugurating a fund to build a new memorial wing.

After five years in charge of St Michael’s and All Angels, Johnston left Millicent in October 1931 to take on the parish of St Aidan’s at Payneham in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide. During his time at Millicent, Johnston had built a remarkable connection to the community, especially with the returned soldiers, who referred to him as their “padre.” He had a strong association with the people of Tantanoola, leading ANZAC Day services there and at Millicent. He had also been particularly active in the support of ex-servicemen who battled tuberculosis. The president of the local branch of the Returned Services League, in presenting Johnston with a pipe, remarked that he had only recently learned that the former chaplain now held the rank of major and was soon to be promoted to lieutenant-colonel. Humility was clearly another of Johnston Redmond’s traits. All agreed that he was a ‘jolly fine fellow.’

Whilst Johnston and Hilda welcomed a daughter, Patricia Johnston Redmond, Johnston’s health continued to cause concerns. He was ‘compelled to seek twelve months’ rest abroad.’ So, on 11 November 1935, accompanied by his 13-year-old son, Brian, Johnston sailed from Adelaide bound for Southampton in England.

It appears that Johnston did not return to Australia.
In 1939, he was living at the Carlton Hotel in Southwell, Nottinghamshire. He did continue ministering and his last church was at St John’s the Evangelist at Thornham in the Middleton parish of Greater Manchester.

Johnston Redmond lived out his final years in a nursing home in the seaside town of Southport. He died there on 13 July 1964 and was buried in the churchyard of St John’s at Thornham.

His brother, Reverend John Redmond, had enjoyed a long and distinguished career in Northern Ireland. He died at Tartaraghan in his home County of Armagh on 17 July 1967. He rarely spoke of his wartime experiences.