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Corporal Arthur John McDonnell Johnston
Description
TitleCorporal Arthur John McDonnell JohnstonSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionArthur was born 21 August 1890 at Sheffield, son of Reverend James and Ellen Johnston. He was 5ft 8½in tall with grey eyes and fair hair. His upper teeth were false. Before enlisting he was a Bank Clerk, with the Bank of Australia, Christchurch. He had previous military experience having served 3 ½ years with the Eltham Rifles.
Arthur enlisted on 3 August 1914 in Christchurch and was assigned to the Field Artillery. He embarked with the Main Body on 16 October 1914 for Egypt on board the Arawa. He spent time in hospital with hemorrhoids in July 1915 but returned to Gallipoli. Arthur had been promoted to bombardier but had asked to be reverted to gunner. He died on 5 December aged 25. It was reported that he died as the result of the operation connected with the evacuation of Suvla Bay.
A letter written to his father by another soldier gives more detail. "The battery was being shelled by large Howitzer shells, and Arthur was lying in the telephone dug-out, which was big and very strongly built. He had been sick for two or three days, and was not on duty. The shell blew the dug-out to pieces, and mortally wounded Arthur. He was taken away to the hospital immediately, and while being carried from there to the beach to be sent away he died”. He had suffered severe shrapnel wounds to both legs. His name is recorded on the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, Gallipoli. In New Zealand Arthur is remembered on the Malvern County & Sheffield War Memorials.
First NameArthur John McDonnellLast NameJohnstonFamilySingleSon of Reverend James and Ellen JohnstonDate of Birth21 August 1890Place of BirthSheffieldDate of Death5 December 1915Place of DeathGallipoliCause of DeathDied of woundsAge at Death25
Arthur enlisted on 3 August 1914 in Christchurch and was assigned to the Field Artillery. He embarked with the Main Body on 16 October 1914 for Egypt on board the Arawa. He spent time in hospital with hemorrhoids in July 1915 but returned to Gallipoli. Arthur had been promoted to bombardier but had asked to be reverted to gunner. He died on 5 December aged 25. It was reported that he died as the result of the operation connected with the evacuation of Suvla Bay.
A letter written to his father by another soldier gives more detail. "The battery was being shelled by large Howitzer shells, and Arthur was lying in the telephone dug-out, which was big and very strongly built. He had been sick for two or three days, and was not on duty. The shell blew the dug-out to pieces, and mortally wounded Arthur. He was taken away to the hospital immediately, and while being carried from there to the beach to be sent away he died”. He had suffered severe shrapnel wounds to both legs. His name is recorded on the Chunuk Bair New Zealand Memorial, Gallipoli. In New Zealand Arthur is remembered on the Malvern County & Sheffield War Memorials.
First NameArthur John McDonnellLast NameJohnstonFamilySingleSon of Reverend James and Ellen JohnstonDate of Birth21 August 1890Place of BirthSheffieldDate of Death5 December 1915Place of DeathGallipoliCause of DeathDied of woundsAge at Death25
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageMalvern War MemorialSheffield War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryChunuk Bair New Zealand MemorialSheffield War MemorialMalvern County War MemorialOccupation before EnlistingBank ClerkRegiment or ServiceNew Zealand Field ArtilleryEnlistment Details3rd August 1914 in ChristchurchService Number2/425Embarkation16th October 1914TransportArawaCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. SeatonTaken FromPhoto taken from Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph. Please refer to this site for the photo’s copyright license
Corporal Arthur John McDonnell Johnston. Selwyn Stories, accessed 20/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/299