TOPIC:

David Johnstone

Trooper, South African Constabulary – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Transvaal, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 & 1902

David Johnstone was born in on 16 July 1871 in Everton, Manchester the son of David Johnston(e) and his wife Olivia, born Kelly. Both parents were born in Ireland.

According to the 1881 England census a 10 year old David was living at 90 Philips Park Road in Beswick, Manchester together with his mother, now aged 34 and his older sister Rebecca (12). Tragedy had already struck the small family with the passing away of David’s father leaving a widowed Olivia to raise the children on her meagre income as a Factory Worker. To add to the family’s coffers were Catherine Kelly, Olivia’s mother, who was earning a living as a Charwoman as well as David’s maternal uncle Joseph, a Plasterer and his paternal uncle Edward who was a Chemical Labourer. All told the house was quite full.

In 1886 Johnstone’s mother married a Robert Esilman and the family moved to 36 Carlisle Street in Manchester. Tragedy was to strike for the second time and the recently married Olivia, by the time of the 1891 England census, was already a widow for the second time at the age of 45. With her in the house were David, now 19 and an Iron Moulder by trade, his elder sister Rebecca (22) as well as 3 year old Olivia Esilman, the only product of the short marriage between David’s mother and her husband.

Small wonder then that Johnstone was ready to garb the first opportunity to flee the coop, so to speak, that presented itself. This opportunity came in the form of the Anglo Boer War which started in October 1899 and was, to quote the politicians of the day, to be over by Christmas. Well somehow the Boers never got the message and the war was still raging albeit in the second or guerrilla phase by the time Johnstone appeared at the recruiting office of the South African Constabulary at Rupert Lane Barracks, Liverpool on 17 March 1901 where he completed the Attestation Paper for 3 years service. This service was to count from 7 March and a single Johnstone provided his personal details as follows:

His address was 4 Sydney Street, Oxford Street, Manchester and that he was now twenty nine years and six months old, five feet eight inches in height and weighed 160 pounds. He was described as having a fresh complexion Johnstone had auburn or red hair and hazel eyes. As his referees he gave the names of Mr. J. Twindles of 37 Brook Street and Mr. J. Collins of the Manchester Art Museum, Ancouls Town Hall. He claimed to be a Core Maker by trade and gave his mother Mrs. Esilman of the already mentioned address as his next of kin.

By way of “any convictions by a Magistrate” he answered “once for obstruction” for which he was fined two shillings and sixpence. His Riding and Shooting Certificate certified that he was affair rider and a fair shot. The aforementioned referees claimed that “The bearer David Johnston (sic) of 4 Sydney Street, informed me that he is applying for the South African Police Force, I beg to state that I know him for 4 or 5 years and believe him to be a sober and steady man of good character” this was written by H. Reynolds, Wholesale and Retail Provision Merchant.

Mr Collins, Curator of the Manchester Art Museum, wrote on January 10th 1901 that, “Hearing that Mr David Johnston has applied for admission into Baden-Powell’s Cape Police, I have pleasure in stating that I have known him for several years and consider him a suitable candidate for same and should be glad to hear of his success.”

Mr Swindell’s wrote on 11 January 1901 that, “This is to certify that I have known David Johnston for the past 3 years and know him to be very respectable and steady and of good character. I may also state that he is a good shot and been used to horses.”

Now appointed in the ranks of the S.A.C. he left for South Africa and the war where he was deployed as a 3rd Class Trooper with number C254 – Eastern Division.

His defaulter’s sheet records that, on 12 December 1901 he was found guilty at Greylingstad in the Transvaal of “Irregular Conduct on Duty” for which he was fined £5 by the O.C. of his troop – No. 3 Troop. On 27 June 1902 he was found guilty of Drunkenness and resisting the escort at Barberton and fined £3 for his troubles.

As it happened Johnstone’s love affair with the S.A.C. was not to be an enduring one. On 27 September 1902 he left the S.A.C. by Purchase after 1 year and 204 days service. His conduct was described as Good and his calling – that of a Butcher although quite where this calling came from is a mystery.

Three days previously on 24 September 1902 (and some 4 months after the end of the Boer War) he reported to Heidelberg. Captain Neville, the O.C. No. 3 Troop as a Statement of Character, wrote of Johnstone the following:

“No C254 3/C Tpr. D. Johnstone has served with my troop during the past nineteen months. He has been a fair character and he has three entries on his defaulter’s sheet. He is not a suitable man for a Constable as he is very weak where liquor is concerned.”

For his efforts Johnstone was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with four clasps. What became of him after he left the S.A.C. is unknown.

Hello Rory,
That's an interesting medal, was it issued like that?
Regards Frank

Rory,

How are the rivets between the TVL and CC clasps or was it issued with these two clasps in the incorrect order?

Regards

Adrian

Forget I asked that, I can see what happened now, WO100/272 shows the Cape clasp as "added" on the 20th of March 1905, nice medal, a local man as far as I am concerned and the sort I like to see.

Solved

Thanks Frank

Yes the top 3 clasps are not riveted to themedal at all and are loose on the ribbon.

A nice medal and to an interesting chap.

What with recent successes on City Coins and a good run on e-bay I'll be posting quite a few stories about SAC men shortly.

The depth of their paperwork is what is especially appealing to me.

Regards

Rory