William McCall Johnstone
Educated at Nottingham High School and Sedburgh School (January 1907-December 1910). Articled to Samuel Williams of the Nottingham firm of solicitors, Johnstone and Williams. Member of Nottingham Rowing Club.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William McCall was the third son of John and Ada Johnstone (née Archer).
Both his parents were born in Nottingham; John was the son of Scottish parents and was a prominent local solicitor. (See 'Extra information': Nottingham Evening Post, obituary, January 1914.)
John and Ada were married in about 1887 and had four sons who were all born in Nottingham: John Gordon b. 28 April 1888, Henry Archer b. 1890 (reg. JAS), William McCall b. 1892 (reg. JAS) and Herbert Alan b. February 1894.
John, his wife and their two sons, John and Henry, were living at 18 Elm Avenue, Nottingham, in 1891. Also in the household was a general domestic servant.
The couple and their four sons had moved to 68 Mapperley Road by 1901. John employed a 'nurse domestic' and a cook.
By 1911 John and Ada were recorded on the census at 14 Mapperley Road but only two of their sons, John, an articled clerk and solicitor, and William ('school') were in the home on the night of the census. Also in the household were a cook, Ada Pierrepoint, and a housemaid. The youngest son, Herbert, was a boarder at Sedburgh School, Yorkshire, but his brother Henry has not yet been traced on the census.
After John's retirement he and his wife moved to 'Fairmead', Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, where he died on 4 January 1914. He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 7 January.
His widow Ada was still living at 'Fairmead', Risley, in 1921. Also in the home was her son John, who had lived in Canada before the outbreak of war, had enlisted in Canada in 1914 (Canadian Expeditionary Force) and been discharged in 1919. Ada Pierrepoint, who was employed as a cook in 1911, was still with the family.
John Gordon, who was described on the 1921 Census as a 'war invalid', died of meningitis on 31 May 1922 aged 34. He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 3 June.
Ada died on 6 September 1938 and was also buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
Her youngest son, Herbert, had married Dorothy Winlaw Hooley (b. 1889), the daughter of Ernest T. Hooley, also of Risley, at Risley All Saints on 2 March 1921. They had two sons, William Alan (b. 1922) and Peter Franklin Gordon (b. 1927). Herbert, who had retired from work, and his wife were living at 'The White House', Derby Road, Risley, when the England & Wales Register was compiled in 1939. Also in the home were their youngest son Peter and Ada Pierrepont whose occupation was given as 'paid domestic duties'. Herbert's entry on the Register was annotated that he was a Derbyshire special constable and had been a member of the Red Cross, 1914-1918.
Herbert was still living at 'The White House' at the time of his death in April 1953. (Obituary, Long Eaton Advertiser, 11 April 1953). He was survived by his wife and two sons, Peter, who was a solicitor and partner in the firm of Johnstone, Williams and Walker, and William, who was a director of John Gale & Co. Ltd, estate agents, Nottingham. Herbert's widow, Dorothy died in 1964; she was survived by her sons.
He was mobilised in August 1914 as a Gunner in the Notts Royal Horse Artillery and gazetted Second Lieutenant 17 March 1915. He served at Home from August 1914 to January 1916 and with BEF France, January to February 1916.
William was killed on 13 February 1916 by a piece of shrapnel from a shell which burst near him. He is buried in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension, France (grave ref. I.H.9).
He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC. History of the churchyard extension (extract): the village of Erquinghem-Lys is about 1.5km from the town of Armentieres. The village 'was occupied by German forces early in October 1914, and taken by the 1st Somerset Light Infantry on 16 October. It remained in Allied hands until 10 April 1918, when the 101st Infantry Brigade and the 1st/4th Duke of Wellington's, after a stubborn defence, evacuated the village during the great German offensive. The village was finally retaken in September 1918. The earliest Commonwealth burials were made in two places in the churchyard itself, in October 1914-January 1915. The extension was begun in April 1915 and used by units and field ambulances until April 1918.' The earlier burials in the churchyard were moved into the extension in 1925. (www.cwgc.org)
WMR 53194. Risley War Memorial, All Saints Churchyard, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire DE72 3SU. The three Johnstone brothers, Major Henry Archer, RFA (k. 21 March 1918), 2nd Lieut. William McColl, RFA (k. 13 Feb. 1916) and Sergeant John Gordon, 28 Bn C.E.F. (d. May 1922) are commemorated on the memorial. A fourth brother, Herbert Alan, known as 'Billy', also served in the war.
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave and headstones. Inscriptions:
Headstone 1. ‘Write me as one that loves his fellow men.’ John Johnstone, died Jany. 4th 1914, aged 59 years. ‘Brave heart at rest.’ Also of Ada, beloved of John Johnstone, died Sept. 3rd. 1938, aged 73 years. Also John Gordon Johnstone. C.E.F. eldest son of the above, died May 31st. 1922.
Note: the quotation above John Johnstone's name is from the poem, 'Abou Ben Adhem’, by James Leigh Hunt.
Headstone 2. In memory of Sec. Lieut. William McCall Johnstone, killed in action Feby. 13th 1916, aged 23 (sic). Interred in Erquingham Cemetery. And of Major Henry Archer Johnstone, killed in action near Bullecourt, March 21st 1918, aged 28. Both of the 152nd Bgd. R.F.A.
CWGC Additional information: Son of John and Ada Johnstone, of "Fairmead", Risley, Derbyshire. Native of Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Also in memory of Major Henry Archer Johnstone killed near Bullecourt March 21st 1918. age 28. And Serjeant JG Johnstone 28th Battn. Canadians May 1922. Age 34'
William's brother, Henry Archer Johnstone, was buried in Wancourt British Cemetery. CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Also in memory of Second Lieutenant William McC. Johnstone Royal Field Artillery 13 February 1916. Aged 24 buried at Erquinghem. And Serjeant JG Johnstone 28th Battn. Canadians May 1922. Age 34'
Nottingham Evening Post 18 February 1916: 'News has been received in Nottingham of the death in action of second Lieutenant W. McC. Johnstone of the 188th (Nottingham) Brigade of the R.F.A. The deceased officer, who was quite young, was one of four sons of the late Mr. John Johnstone, solicitor of Nottingham, serving with the forces. He got his commission in June last year. Lieut. Johnstone was educated at Sedbergh, and was a member of the Nottingham Rowing Club.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Sedburgian School magazine, obituary with photograph: 'W McCall Johnstone, 2nd Lieut 152nd Bde RFA (killed in action February 13th 1916). William McCall Johnstone came to the School in January, 1907, and left in December 1910. He was killed in action in France, on the 13th February. His senior officer had just told him that the battery must cease firing, owing to the presence of some German aeroplanes, which might discover its position, when a shell burst close to him. A fragment of shrapnel struck him in the shoulder, and probably travelled down to his heart. He immediately collapsed into the arms of his senior officer. Then he smiled, closed his eyes, and it was all over in a few seconds. So ended the life of one of the sweetest characters that has ever died for his country. His many friends in Sedgwick House, and in the School, will mourn for him, with a special feeling of regret that such an one should have been called upon to give up his life. He was a boy who never advertised himself, never thrust himself forward, always ‘took a back seat', and had the greatest aversion from being conspicuous. Yet he failed to hide from those who knew him, and had intercourse with him. His extreme merit in all the essentials that go to make up a real man. His fellow officers all sent home the same report of him. As one who most efficient in his work, and who did it with thoroughness and cheerfulness. He is mourned by both officers and men. His nature was childlike without being childish: he was ‘without fear and without reproach.’ Very truly does the couplet out of the school Song Book apply to Billy Johnstone, ‘Who keeps the boy’s heart in the man, he is the true Sedberghian.’
Nottinghamshire Law Society ROH (photograph): 'William McCall Johnstone. The third son of the late John Johnstone of the firm of Johnstone and Williams was 23 years of age. He was educated at the High School, Nottingham, and at Sedburgh, a vigorous and successful athlete, a popular law student, Secretary of the Law Students Society, a member of the RHA at the outbreak of war, gazetted Second Lieutenant on the 13th February 1915 and killed in action on the 13th February 1916 by a shell that burst close to him when fighting his battery. He won the united praise of his fellow officers, who all reported his efficiency and thoroughness in work, his cheerful fearlessness and friendliness. The Sedburgian applies this school couplet to him as singularly appropriate, ‘Who keeps the boy’s heart in the man, he is the true Sedburgian.''
The names of HA Johnstone (Gunner RHA), W Johnstone (Gunner RHA) and Allan Johnstone (Sherwood Foresters) were included at the bottom of a printed list of members of the Nottingham Rowing Club who were on the Active Service List as at November 1914 under the heading, ‘Three sons of our late esteemed member John Johnstone are serving with the Colours.’ The list was inserted in the NRC Minute Book. (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. DD/865/1/10, NRC Minute Book 1912-1919). Note: only Henry Archer Johnstone's name is included on the Nottingham Rowing Club's memorial.
Probate: Administration of his Will was awarded to his mother, Ada Johnstone. Effects £573.
William McCall Johnstone
Photograph courtesy of 'The Sedberghian'
From Nottinghamshire Law Society's Roll of Honour.
Photo of William McCall Johnstone
Buried in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension, France. (www.cwgc.org)
Photo of William McCall Johnstone
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstones. Photograph Rachel Farrand (April 2026))
Photo of William McCall Johnstone
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone (William & Henry). Photograph Rachel Farrand (April 2026)
Photo of William McCall Johnstone
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone (John Gordon). Photograph Rachel Farrand (April 2026)
Photo of William McCall Johnstone
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstones. Photograph Rachel Farrand (April 2026)