Francis Earl Johnston
Encyclopedia
Brigadier-General Francis Earl Johnston, C.B. (1 October 1871 – 7 August 1917) was a New Zealand
army officer of the First World War
. He was commander of the 1st New Zealand Infantry Brigade in France.
, the eldest son of merchant (and later politician) Charles John Johnston
. Educated at Stonyhurst College
in Lancashire
and the Royal Military College Sandhurst, where he was awarded the Sword of Honour as the best of his intake. Commissioned in the Prince of Wales’s North Staffordshire Regiment in 1891.
on 15 December 1915.
His second wife was Gwen Seaton.
Buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension Nord, France. Grave no. III. C. 260.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
army officer of the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. He was commander of the 1st New Zealand Infantry Brigade in France.
Early life
He was born in WellingtonWellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, the eldest son of merchant (and later politician) Charles John Johnston
Charles John Johnston
Charles John Johnston was the Mayor of Wellington, New Zealand in 1890, the Jubilee year.He represented the Te Aro electorate from 1881 to 1887, when he resigned. He was a member of the Legislative Council from 1891 to 1918, and the Speaker from 1915 to 1918.He was born 11 October 1845 in...
. Educated at Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College
Stonyhurst College is a Roman Catholic independent school, adhering to the Jesuit tradition. It is located on the Stonyhurst Estate near the village of Hurst Green in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire, England, and occupies a Grade I listed building...
in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and the Royal Military College Sandhurst, where he was awarded the Sword of Honour as the best of his intake. Commissioned in the Prince of Wales’s North Staffordshire Regiment in 1891.
Private life
He first married Morna Fell on 12 April 1907; she died in CairoCairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
on 15 December 1915.
His second wife was Gwen Seaton.
Military career
Commander of the Infantry Brigade, NZ Expeditionary Force (subsequently 1st NZ Infantry Brigade), and later 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ANZAC.- 1914 Departed NZ for Egypt 16 October 1914 with the “Main Body”; disembarked Alexandria 3 December.
- 1915 12 April embarked for Battle of GallipoliBattle of GallipoliThe Gallipoli Campaign, also known as the Dardanelles Campaign or the Battle of Gallipoli, took place at the peninsula of Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire between 25 April 1915 and 9 January 1916, during the First World War...
, commanding 1st NZ Infantry Brigade. Sick list 17–25 June. Promoted temporary Brigadier General 9 July. Sick 5–9 September and 23 September – 2 October. Left for Alexandria 17 November because his wife was dying. - 1916 6 April embarked at Port Said for France; arrived France 11 April. Served in France. Mentioned in General Haig’s despatch of 13 November.
- 1917 Relinquished command of 1st NZ Infantry Brigade 15 February. Assumed command of NZ Reserve Group, Sling, 27 February.
- 1917 Returned to France 25 July. Command of 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade, 31 July. Killed in action 7 August by sniper, north of Douve on the road from Warneton to Gapaard.
Buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension Nord, France. Grave no. III. C. 260.