LEST WE FORGET
Cadet George Robinson JOHNSTON
Service No: 2704
Born: Lake Rowan VIC, January 1896
Enlisted in the Army: 18 June 1915
Unit: Training Depot, Australian Flying Corps, attached to RAF Artillery Observers’ School, Winchester
Died: Injuries from an Aircraft Accident, England, 24 March 1918, Aged 22 Years
Buried: Winchester (West Hill) Old Cemetery, Hampshire
CWGC Additional Information: Son of the Rev. Robinson Johnston and Jane Kennedy Johnston, of “Lisburn,” Ranfurlie Crescent, East Malvern, Victoria. Born at Lake Rowan, Victoria
Place of Association: Lake Rowan VIC
Remembered: Panel 188, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
On 24 March 1918, Cadet Johnston was killed in the crash of RE8 aircraft A4493 at Worthy Downs Aerodrome. The Court of enquiry found that the he either stalled the aircraft or fainted in the air, falling on the elevator control, causing the aircraft to crash. Second Lieutenant James Leslie Cumming RFC, the Instructor Pilot, was also killed in the crash.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record B2455, JOHNSTON R G
National Archives UK Casualty Card 275785, 150571