Harry Johnston (surveyor)
Encyclopedia
Harry Frederick Johnston (1853–June 1915) was Surveyor-General of Western Australia
from 1896 to 1915.
Harry Johnston was born in 1853, as a grandson of Marshall Clifton
. He qualified as a surveyor
. In 1884, he led a surveying expedition to the Kimberley region of Western Australia
. A geologist
who was attached to the group, Edward Hardman
, was one of the first to discover gold
in the area, and his report and maps became a valued resource in the subsequent Kimberley gold rush
. In January 1885, Johnston made a claim for a reward offered by the Government of Western Australia
for the discovery of the goldfield. He was widely criticised for what was seen by many as "Mr. Johnston's attempt to filch the credit."1 However Johnston later stated "All I wished was that my claim as a leader of the party and discoverer of new country should not be overlooked."2
Harry Johnston was appointed Surveyor-General in 1896, and held the position until his death. In June 1915, Johnston was rushed to hospital after an accident at his home in Greenmount
. He died at hospital, and a bullet was found during the post-mortem. The coroner found that Johnston's death had occurred as a result of an accident during target practice.
Harry Johnston's eldest son Edward Johnston had a long and distinguished political career; his second-youngest Edgar Johnston
was a fighter pilot
and flying ace in First World War and later one of the leaders in civic aviation in Australia.
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
from 1896 to 1915.
Harry Johnston was born in 1853, as a grandson of Marshall Clifton
Marshall Clifton
Marshall Waller Clifton was born 1 November 1787 at Alverstoke, near Gosport, Hampshire, England, to Rev. Francis Clifton and Rebekah Katherine ....
. He qualified as a surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
. In 1884, he led a surveying expedition to the Kimberley region of Western Australia
Kimberley region of Western Australia
The Kimberley is one of the nine regions of Western Australia. It is located in the northern part of Western Australia, bordered on the west by the Indian Ocean, on the north by the Timor Sea, on the south by the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts, and on the east by the Northern Territory.The region...
. A geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
who was attached to the group, Edward Hardman
Edward Hardman
Edward Townley Hardman was a geologist who played a key role in the discovery of Western Australia's Kimberley goldfields.Edward Hardman was born in Drogheda in County Louth, Ireland on 6 April 1845...
, was one of the first to discover gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
in the area, and his report and maps became a valued resource in the subsequent Kimberley gold rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
. In January 1885, Johnston made a claim for a reward offered by the Government of Western Australia
Government of Western Australia
The formation of the Government of Western Australia is prescribed in its Constitution, which dates from 1890, although it has been amended many times since then...
for the discovery of the goldfield. He was widely criticised for what was seen by many as "Mr. Johnston's attempt to filch the credit."1 However Johnston later stated "All I wished was that my claim as a leader of the party and discoverer of new country should not be overlooked."2
Harry Johnston was appointed Surveyor-General in 1896, and held the position until his death. In June 1915, Johnston was rushed to hospital after an accident at his home in Greenmount
Greenmount, Western Australia
Greenmount is a locality and a geographical feature in the Shire of Mundaring, Western Australia, on the edge of the Darling Scarp. It is a vital point in the transport routes from the Swan Coastal Plain into the hinterland of Western Australia....
. He died at hospital, and a bullet was found during the post-mortem. The coroner found that Johnston's death had occurred as a result of an accident during target practice.
Harry Johnston's eldest son Edward Johnston had a long and distinguished political career; his second-youngest Edgar Johnston
Edgar Johnston
Edgar Charles Johnston DFC was an Australian fighter pilot in World War I, later on a leading member in civic aviation in Australia....
was a fighter pilot
Fighter pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
and flying ace in First World War and later one of the leaders in civic aviation in Australia.