"GEN. F.E. JOHNSTON
REPORTED KILLED IN ACTION
LOSS TO NEW ZEALAND ARMY.
The New Zealand Army has sustained another very heavy loss by the death of Brigadier-General Francis Earl Johnston, C.B. Commander of the 1st N.Z. Infantry Brigade, who has been killed in action. An official cable was received by the Defence Department to-day, advising that General Johnston had been killed by a sniper's bullet, while he was inspecting the front line trenches. The news quickly spread throughout the city, and very genuine regret was expressed at the loss of one who was universally acknowledged in military circles as a very able and gallant officer.
Brigadier-General Francis Earl Johnstone was the eldest son of the Hon. C. J. Johnston, M.L.C., Speaker of the Legislative Council. He was an old Wellington boy, having been born here on 1st October, 1871, and was thus 45 years of age. He joined the Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire) Regiment as second lieutenant on 5th December, 1891, and was promoted lieutenant on 30th November, 1895, captain on 13th May, 1900, and major on 16th February, 1911. He accompanied the expedition to Dongola, Sudan, in 1896, and took part in the operations on 19th September, receiving the Egyptian medal with clasp and also the English medal. He served in the South African war from 1900 to 1902, taking part in operations in the Transvaal (October, 1900, to 31st May, 1902). He was mentioned in despatches on 18th and 29th July, 1902, and received the Queen's medal with three clasps and the King's medal with two clasps. On 16th July, 1914, while on furlough in New Zealand from India, he was appointed to the command of the Wellington military district, in which he was born, for one year, succeeding Colonel Chaytor in the office. On the outbreak of war with Germany in August, 1914, he received command of the Infantry Brigade, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, which subsequently became the First New Zealand Infantry Brigade. He left in command with the Main Body, and subsequently served with his brigade in Egypt, on the Canal, through the Gallipoli campaign, and with it in France ever since. Throughout he won the esteem of his men, and everywhere was recognised as a brave and able leader. For his services on Gallipoli he received the C.B.. General Johnston married a daughter of the late Mr. A. G. Fell, of Wellington. His wife followed him to Egypt, and died there a few months afterwards.
The deepest sympathy is expressed in political and city circles with the Speaker of the Legislative Council, who has now had two sons and one son-in-law killed in the war and has lost one daughter and one daughter-in-law. A year ago his youngest son Lieutenant Octavius Johnston, who was serving in the British Army, was killed while leading his men in a charge on the Western front. Before that his son-in-law, Major Levin, N.Z. Expeditionary Force, was killed on Gallipoli, and his daughter, Mrs. Levin, died some months later. The Hon. C. J. Johnston is at present visiting the United States." [Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 84, 9 August 1917, Page 7]
