Johnston, Robert Nicoll
Lieutenant Robert Nicoll Johnston - Australian Railway Corps
Robert Nicoll Johnston was born on the 13th January 1874 in Fremantle WA to William and Jane Johnston, being one of seven siblings.
He married Elizabeth McKay on the 27th June 1899 and the following children were born, Arthur 1900, Robert 1903, Frederick 1906 and Owen 1908.
Robert started with WA Government Railways on the 25th May 1891, being based at (Fremantle 1891-1905) Midland Junction (1905-onwards). During their time at Fremantle they were living at 28 John Street Fremantle (later renamed to Fothergill Street).
During his time in Fremantle Robert had also served in the Fremantle Coastal Artillery of the Citizens Military Forces.
Robert was working for WAGR as a locomotive engineer. In 1916 the family was living at Maylands.
On the 9th January 1917 Robert enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force as part of the Railway Corps. He was accepted as fit for enlistment, and was assigned as a Lieutenant to the Railway Corps.
On the 29th January 1917 Robert left Fremantle Harbour on the transport ship HMAT Miltiades. The ship then set sail for England, reaching Devonport Harbour on the 27th March 1917.
They were then disembarked and sent to St Lucia Barracks at Bordon Army Camp which was where the 59th Australian Railway Operating Company was being formed. The next several weeks were spent on training for service on the Western Front.
On the 11th May 1917, Robert and the 59th Railway Operating Company left England and proceeded across to France. He served with the 59th Company in France and Belgium through 1917 and 18. For a time they were responsible for running what was known as the 'Midland Line'. This ran from north of Poperinghe to Regensberg north of Ypres and then to St Julien.
They later operated from near Abbeville and ran services to Boulogne and Dunkirk as they were connected to the main French rail network. They were kept very busy bringing supplies and troops up to the front lines and while not in the trenches, the railway men were often under long range artillery fire and bombing from the German planes as the Germans knew the importance of the Railway lines and terminus's.
On the 14th November 1917 Robert had his first break when he was given a two week furlough to England. He returned to France on the 29th November 1917. He had his next leave period from the 6th to 20th March 1918.
In 1918 Robert was transferred for service to the 5th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company but was on the same duties in driving the trains filled with men and supplies around France and Belgium.
On the 19th May 1918 he was detached for duty with the Australian Corps School where he was teaching about the railway units. He returned to the 5th Broad Guage Railway on the 15th June 1918. He served straight through the next five months and then had a two week furlough to England on the 17th October 1918. He returned to his unit on the 2nd November 1918 an was still with them when the Armistice was announced on the 11th November 1918.
Even through the Armistice had been signed, that did not mean that the work eased up for the railway units as they would be kept very busy over the next months shifting men and materials around France and Belgium. On the 30th January 1919 Robert was given a two week furlough to England, but returned to France on the 13th February 1919. Robert then spent a few more months on duty in France.
He was sent back to England on the 1st May 1919 and was sent to No.3 Group Camp at Codford. Robert would now remain in camp to be informed of being assigned a berth on a troopship home. On the 21st June 1919 he boarded the ship Kongin Louise and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 3rd August 1919.
Robert was then sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for a medical check, but as he had not been wounded or even sick during his two years in France, he was discharged from the AIF on the 10th September 1919.
The family continued to reside in Mayland and Robert resumed his work for the WA Government Railways. By 1936 he was living at Stanley Street in East Perth. He then retired down to Mandurah.
Robert Johnston died on the 29th October 1942 aged 68. He was cremated at Karrakatta Cemetery.