Australian and New Zealand Civil War Veterans

James Johnston was born on November 1, 1838 and was christened on November 8, 1883 in Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland; the son of Alexander Johnson born in 1812 and Elizabeth (Betsy) Nimmo born in 1816; both born in Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland. Another source, however, records him as having been born on November 8, 1837; both sources recording Alexander Johnson and Elizabeth (Betsy) Nimmo as the parents. James had four siblings, Andrew born December 27, 1839; Elizabeth born November 4, 1841; Helen born November 13, 1843 and another brother named Andrew born May 4, 1846, all in Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland.

After migrating to the United States James followed his families trade and became a carpenter, and was working at that trade when he enlisted in the United States Army on April 30, 1856 at New York. Upon mustering in Johnston was assigned to Company “D”, 3^rd Connecticut U.S. Artillery. Dissatisfied, Johnston deserted on June 28, 1858, but his freedom was short lived; as he was apprehended and returned on October 25, 1858.

Johnston an artificier, specializing in the manufacturing and repairing of weapons at Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory, but only remained in the military for a few months after the outbreak of the American Civil War; being discharged at the expiration of his term on October 31, 1861. His service had been extended beyond his five years originally agreed upon, because of his desertion.

It is believed James returned to Scotland and was possibly married at some point before migrating to Australia sometime between 1883 and 1889, where he married his wife Mary and had five children. Due to his service in the 3^rd U.S. Artillery, Johnston received a government pension, which began in November 1908. Johnston lived at 47 Byron Street, Footscray, on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia, where he died at 92 years of age on November 27, 1929, working as a ‘French Polisher’; Registration number: 14301. His Probate was granted on January 22, 1930; Reference number: 233/399. He was survived by two sons and two daughters; his wife and one daughter having previously died.

When his obituary came out in the newspaper, it stated that James Johnston had also been an Aide de Camp to General Scott and that he had been a member of the U.A.O.D Loyal Canterbury Lodge, No.32 ("United Ancient Order of Druids") for the last 56 years.

James Johnston was buried in the Footscray Cemetery in Footscray, Victoria, Australia; in the Presbyterian Section 1C, grave number 333.

Another James Johnston, who became Mayor of Redcliffe, Queensland in 1926 was also born in Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland; on April 3, 1873. His parents were said to be George Johnston and Elizabeth Turnbull. This Johnston family, George, Elizabeth, and their children James, George, Elizabeth and William all migrated to Australia in 1883, settling in Brisbane, Queensland and he became Mayor of Redcliffe, a suburb; dieing in Sydney, New South Wales in 1951. It is not known if the two men were related, but they were born in the same town, shire and country; 36 years apart.