William Henry Johnston

Who was William Henry Johnston?

William Henry Johnston VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Born 21 December 1879 in Leith, Edinburgh to Maj. William Johnston and Mary Johnston. Johnston was a captain in the 59th Field Company, Corps of Royal Engineers, British Army. He was 34 years old, on 14 September 1914 during the Race to the Sea at Missy, France, in the First World War, he performed an act of bravery for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

His citation read:

He later achieved the rank of major. He was killed in action, Ypres, Belgium, on 8 June 1915.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Engineers Museum, Chatham, Kent.