Return to Merchantman 1863 EPF List
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| Name | JOHNSTON – William |
|---|---|
| Regiment (s) | Honourable East India Company Bengal Artillery |
| Regiment Number (s) | Discharge Number 121 |
| Date/Age/Place/Trade or Profession at Attestation | 24th February 1852 / 26 years / Not yet known Sawyer / Forester |
| Description – Height Complexion/Eyes/Hair/Scars | 5 Ft 9¼ in Fresh / Grey / Dark / |
| Overseas Service/Duration | HEIC |
| Length of Service | 6 years 4 months |
| Rank/Date/Place of Discharge | Corporal / 11th August 1858 / Not yet known |
| Campaign Medals | Not yet known |
| Intended Residence at Discharge | Not yet known |
| Pension Districts | 1858 2nd Glasgow 1859 1st Belfast 1861 2nd Glasgow 1862 Bermuda (in transit) 1863-1874 Western Australia 1873-1879 Wellington New Zealand |
| Pension Paid | 1/3d per diem |
| Date of Departure and Place England or Ireland | 30th October 1862 Gravesend England (via Bermuda) |
| Ship and Date of Arrival Western Australia | MERCHANTMAN 15th February 1863 |
| Date/Place of Birth | c1826 Glasgow Scotland |
| Date/Place of Baptism | Not yet known |
| Father Date/Place of Birth | Not yet known |
| Mother Date/Place of Birth Marriage | Not yet known |
| Siblings | Not yet known |
| 1st Wife Date of Birth or Baptism | MEDCALF Rachael c 1825 |
| Date/Place of Marriage | Not yet known |
| Children by 1st Wife | Martha B c1850 Glasgow Scotland M GIBLETT Thomas1868 York Western Australia D 27th October 1924 Highgate Hill Western Australia bur Wesleyan Section Karrakatta Cemetery Western Australia William J. B c 1859 Not yet known D 16th January 1888 (possible) bur East Perth Cemeteries Western Australia Mary Ann B at sea 7th November 1862 Sazrah (sic) B 1865 York Western Australia Jane B 1867 York Western Australia |
| Land Grants Western Australia | York Lot P5 5.2.37 acres |
| Occupation after Arrival | Not yet known |
| Newspaper Articles | Perth Gazette and Independent Times Friday 12th July 1867 page 3 Trial of William Johnston The Daily News Saturday 1st November 1924 page 9 Obituary Martha Giblett |
| Departure from Western Australia | Not applicable |
| Date/Place of Death/Burial | Not yet known |
| Date/Place of Death/Burial Wife | Not yet known |
| Will or Probate | None known |
| Further Information | Discharge was due to an injury rendering his right arm useless after an accident from a gun carriage wheel. The Surgeon Superintendent on the Merchantman rated both William and Rachael Johnston’s conduct aboard the Merchantman as Very Good. They were accompanied by their children Martha and William J. Another daughter Mary was born at sea on 7th November 1862 On 4th July 1867 William Johnston was charged with the murder of fellow pensioner Andrew Alcock at Fremantle on 7th May 1867. After a lengthy trial he was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter and given a term of imprisonment for 6 years. 10th July 1867 Mrs Johnston, wife of William, applied for relief. The Resident Magistrate Fremantle was advised by the Colonial Secretary he could supply her with rations of bread, tea and sugar only if she was in danger of starvation and on no account was she to be issued money. In 1873 sometime after his term of imprisonment William left the state for New Zealand. His pension was being paid up to the end of the records we can access 1879. His wife and younger children most probably accompanied him. |