Robert Johnston (VC)

Robert Johnston VC (13 August, 1872—March 24, 1950) was an Irish 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. He was educated at King William's College on the Isle of Man.

Details

He was 27 years old, and a captain in the Imperial Light Horse (Natal), South African Forces during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 21 October 1899 at the Battle of Elandslaagte, South Africa, at a most critical moment, when the advance was momentarily checked by very severe fire at point-blank range, Captain Johnston and another officer (Charles Herbert Mullins) gallantly rushed forward under very heavy fire and rallied the men thus enabling the decisive flanking movement to be carried out.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of major. He died Kilkenny, 25 March 1950.

The medal

"The Medal is displayed at the Light Horse Bar at The Saturday Club in Kolkata India."

References

Listed in order of publication year
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (1981, 1988 and 1997)
*The Irish Sword (Brian Clarke 1986)
*Irelands VCs ISBN 1-899243-00-3 (Dept of Economic Development 1995)
*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/ireland.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(County Kilkenny, Ireland)"
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=11300023 Robert Johnston at Find-A-Grave]