'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 23rd October 1918, near Salesches, Sergeant Johnston was acting Company Sergeant Major. When his Company was held up he went forward, took command of parties of men and pushed them on. All this was done under heavy hostile machine-gun fire, but he worked with a total disregard for danger. Later, he went out in the face of machine-gun fire to bring in wounded men. Throughout the operation this NCO was untiring in his energies and totally fearless, inspiring everyone with whom he came in contact.'
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 17 June 1919

Regimental number	8/4436
Occupation	Painter
Next of kin	Father, R Johnston, Hillside Workshops, Dunedin
Rank on embarkation	Lance Corporal
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 10th Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Regiment, D Company
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on 4 March 1916
	The Infantry component of the 10th Reinforcements left New Zealand on board two ships, 'Willochra' and 'Tofua'. It is not possible to determine from the Nominal Roll on which ship an individual embarked. Harbour records indicate that the actual date of sailing was 5 March 1916.
Final rank	Sergeant
Final unit	2nd Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
Medals	Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 23rd October 1918, near Salesches, Sergeant Johnston was acting Company Sergeant Major. When his Company was held up he went forward, took command of parties of men and pushed them on. All this was done under heavy hostile machine-gun fire, but he worked with a total disregard for danger. Later, he went out in the face of machine-gun fire to bring in wounded men. Throughout the operation this NCO was untiring in his energies and totally fearless, inspiring everyone with whom he came in contact.' Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 17 June 1919
Sources	Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 26, p. 17