Born on 29 October 1889 in Ottawa, Ontario - husband of Elizabeth Johnstone, Ottawa, Ontario - son of W.J. Johnstone, Ottawa, Ontario - at the time of his enlistment in 1916: present address same as father; trade as civil servant; single; no current or previous military service; Presbyterian; height of 5 feet 11.5 inches; chest of 38.5 inches fully expanded; fair complexion; blue eyes; light hair.
Joined the 207th Battalion, CEF, in Ottawa, Ontario, on 25 March 1916 (number 246077) - [then what] - joined the 207th Battalion in Ottawa, Ontario, as a Lieutenant on 24 April 1916 - taken on the strength of the 38th Battalion, CEF, as a Lieutenant on 18 November 1917 - invalided sick to England on 22 September 1918 - died of this illness on 4 November 1918 - buried in Buxton Cemetery (grave 2477), England.
(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)
Gordon Simpson Johnstone was an outstanding Ottawa Canoe Club athlete. In addition to being one of the best swimmers in Canada, he was a successful paddler, the captain of one of the Ottawa Canoe Club war canoes in 1913 and 1914. He played fullback for the Ottawa Football Club when it won the Inter-Provincial Union Championship, he played baseball with the OAAC and hockey with the Cliffsides in the interprovincial union.
ReplyDeleteSee http://www.sailonec.com/ "History" ONECC, 1901-1918