Private Duncan Johnston

Died as a Prisoner of War in WW1

Date of Death:

Service Biography

Private Duncan Johnston, a 31 year old widower from Burke, N.Y., eventually died of illness in a German concentration camp (Giessen) on November 2, 1917 after having been taken prisoner at 2nd Ypres on 22 April, 1915, where the Germans used poison gas (chlorine) for the first time in the war.

General Information

Conflict:
WW1
Regimental No.:
24368
Cause of Death (in war):
Died as a Prisoner of War
Branch:
Army
Regiment:
Canadian Infantry
Battalion:
13th Battalion
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Burke, New York
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
31 years 9 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
34 years 10 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
34 years 10 months
Country Born:
USA
Trade or Calling:
Carpenter
Next of Kin:
Mrs. Ida Brown, Burke, New York
Address at Enlistment:
Religion:
Wesleyan
Place of Enlistment:
Valcartier, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
Yes
Height:
5 ft 10.0 in / 178 cm
Weight:
114 lbs / 52 kg
Chest:
38.5 in / 98 cm
Expansion:
4.0 in / 10 cm
Marital Status:
Widow(er)
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Europe
Place of Discharge:
Discharge Type:
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
POW at 2nd Ypres
Length of Service:
1136 days in service
Buried at:
Niederzwehren Cemetery

Ranks

Conflict Rank Regiment Branch Unit Company Date From Date To
WW1 Private Canadian Infantry Army 13th Battalion

Awards

Conflict Award Action Date of Award Date of Citation Source
WW1 British War Service Medal
WW1 Victory Medal
WW1 1914-1915 Star

Prisoner of War Information

Conflict Camp Location Country Interned Released Notes
WW1 Giessen Pow Camp Hesse Germany Reported missing on 22 April1915 at 2nd Ypres. Officially reported at Giessen on 12 July 1915 Died of illness as a Prisoner of war

Additional Service Notes

Interned at Giessen POW Camp

Research Notes

Jeffrey Hoare September 14/15, 2019 auction offers 1914/15 Star and VM
Did not give current address when enlisting