Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The well-documented Great War family group awarded to Lieutenant F. C. Johnston, East Surrey Regiment, late Royal Fusiliers, who was mortally wounded on 23 April 1917, and Corporal J. L. O. Johnston, 4th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who died in Sydney on 4 November 1918

1914-15 Star (1638 Pte. F. C. Johnston. R. Fus:); British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. F. C. Johnston) good very fine

British War Medal 1914-20 (2623 A-Cpl J. L. O. Johnston. 4 Bn. A.I.F.) good very fine (3) £140-£180

Foster Crampton Johnston was born in 1882, the second son of the late N. W. R. Johnston, of Portobello, Scotland. Educated at Trinity College, Glenalmond, he joined the Civil Service in South Africa and was employed by the Posts and Telegraphs Department. On the outbreak of war, he enlisted in the 18th Battalion (1st Public Schools and Universities), Royal Fusiliers and served as regimental stretcher-bearer, during the winter of 1915-16. Johnston was commissioned into the East Surrey Regiment in August 1916, before he was mortally wounded on 23 April 1917 and died the next day, while serving with the 13th Battalion. He was buried at Bray Military Cemetery. He was a keen tennis player and golfer and was well known in athletic circles; both his brothers served during the war.

Sold with an extensive archive of original material relating to Lieutenant Johnston and his family:
- commissioning scroll, dated 8 August 1916, for Lieutenant F. C. Johnston, East Surrey Regiment, East Surrey Regiment
- telegrams from the War Office notifying his mother on his death and a related telegram from the Keeper of the Privy Purse, with the King's and Queen's condolences
- a quantity of letters to Johnston's mother from his comrades sending condolences on his death and from his department in South Africa, concerning his death and contributions to the pension fund, including a long letter from his commanding officer, with details of his death
- newspaper cuttings, including one which includes a photograph of him
- photograph of Johnston playing tennis
- Standing Orders of the 18th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, by Colonel the Lord Henry Scott
- original box of issue
- commissioning scroll dated 26 June 1917, relating to Lieutenant John Ritchie, Royal Army Medical Corps
- other family letters and cuttings.

John Lindsay Oriel Johnston served with the 3rd Battalion, A.I.F., in Gallipoli and Egypt and died in Sydney on 4 November 1918. Sold with an old photograph of his grave at Rookwood Necropolis, Sydney,