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Object Description

Object Name

Certificate, Commemorative

Object ID

2017.005.001

Title

Commemorative Certificate for Major Arthur Thomas Johnston (reproduction).

Date

2017.

Description

1 reproduced document on tan coloured cardstock paper; top of document has illustration of a coat of arms; coat of arms reads, "GvRI" at top; a crown sits on a helmet; helmet is above a shield; to the left of the shield is a lion wearing a crown and to the right is a unicorn; the phrase "Dieu et mon Droit" sits at base of the illustration; the following declaration (in black ink) appears: "He whom this scroll commemorates / was numbered among those who, / at the call of King and Country, left all / that was dear to them, endured hardness, / faced danger, and finally passed out of / the sight of men by the path of duty / and self sacrifice, giving up their own / lives that others might live in freedom. / Let those who come after see to it / that his name be not forgotten." The document also contains the phrase "Major Arthur Thomas Johnston / 102nd Canadian Overseas Battalion", written in red ink. Original copies were sent to the next of kin of those who served and died in the First World War.

People/Subject

Johnston, Arthur Thomas, Major

Arthur Thomas Johnson was born in Ontario had served in the South African (Second Boer) War and in Kamloops with the BC Provincial Police. He was running a grocery store in Murrayville, beneath the original Murrayville Hall, by 1911. His wife, Jessie Jane Johnston, operated a hat store next door. When the First World War broke out, he was one of many Langley residents to volunteer, and because of his former experience, led a group originally known as the "Langley Volunteers." The small group later became the "C" Squadron of the 31st British Columbia Horse (Mounted Rifles). Johnston received his commission in May 1916, in the 102nd (Comox-Atlin) Battalion. On June 27, 1916, he sailed from Halifax, where he found out he was promoted to major. On September 2, 1916, Johnston was near Ypres, waiting with his company in the reserve trenches, ready to go forward. He came out of his dugout to take a look over the edge of his parapet at the exact moment a sniper was trained in his direction. He was killed instantly when the bullet hit is head. He was buried at Reninghelst, Belgium.

Art Johnston's sacrifice was remembered in Langley after the war. The Townline Road was renamed the Johnston Townline Road (216th Street), and a memorial tree was planted along the street (at Milner) in his honour. It is believed to be one of the last (or perhaps the last) of the original memorial trees standing today (2020).

Term Source: HPC Record (HPC-337/1107), Roads and Place Names in Langley, B.C. pg. 39 (Pepin).

World War, 1914-1918

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