JOHNSTON, David Robertson

David Robertson Johnston was the son of John Johnston and his wife, Margaret Bolton Johnston. He was one of eleven children and had served a four year apprenticeship as a draper in his birthplace, with J. Falconer of Aberdeen. By 1915, he was living in East Melbourne, at 49 George St. and working as a draper. He enlisted on 14 July, 1915, and became a Driver with the 3rd Divisional Train, 22nd Company, Army Service Corps. He was then 27 years and 1 month old and served with the AIF for the length of the war, returning to Australia in 1919. 

Division and Brigade Trains were a logistic and supply support for the troops on the front line. Each Supply Train was under the command of the Division corresponding with its number, so David Johnston's unit was commanded by the 3rd Brigade. Drivers like David Johnston were in charge of teams of six horses bringing goods in wagons to the battlefield: ammunition, food, water, forage for the horses and countless other necessities had to be shifted from the railway stations to the battlefront. Their basic task was to carry baggage and re-supply the troops with food and water. As such, they were always behind the battle lines, so few suffered death or injury. 

David Johnston left England for France on 14 November, 1916, travelling on HT Nirvana, before joining the 3rd Divisional Train. There is nothing in his record to say where he was at this time. However, it was noted that on 3 September, 1917, he was charged with 'Neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he neglected to grrom his horses on the 6.15 am stable parade '. He had two periods of leav, one from 5 -26 January, 1918 and another on 14 December, presumably again for two weeks. 

His service did not end with the armistice on 11 November, 1918.He was promoted to temporary Corporal on 8 March, 1919, and on 26 April, was attached to the 22nd Company. He then returned to Australia and, in 1919, went back to East Melbourne, living at 49 George St., and working as a draper. However, he must have wanted a different life. By 1924, he had moved to Colac, in the Western District of Victoria, giving his address as C% Mrs. Downey, Calvert St., and working as a grocer. He was still at Mrs. Downey's  and working as a grocer, in 1927, the year he married, Muriel Myrtle Parkinson, the daughter of James Francis Parkinson, who lived in Fyans St., Colac. From 1928-1954, they lived at 54 Calvert St., Colac, Colac, with David now a storekeeper. They do not seem to have had any children. 

David Robertson Johnson died in 1959.