A GENERAL KILLED.

BRIGADIER JOHNSTON, C.B.

SHOT BY SNIPER IN FRANCE.

Special. WELLINGTON. Thursday. News lias been received that BrigadierGeneral F. E. Johnston. C.8., commander of the Ist New Zealand Infantry Brigade, was killed by an enemy sniper in France. Brigadier-General Johnston was the eldest son of the Hon. C. J. Johnston, Speaker of the Legislative Council. He was born in Wellington in 1871. He joined the Prince of Wales's North Staffordshire Regiment as second-lieutenant in 1891, was made a major in 1811. He accompanied the expedition to Dongora, Soudan, in 1896, and took part in the operations on September 19, receiving the Egyptian medal with clasp, .and also the English medal. He served in the South African war from 1900 to 1902, taking part in operations in the Transvaal. He was mentioned in despatches, and received the Queen's medal with three clasps, and the King's medal with two clasps. While on furlough in New Zealand from India in July, 1914, he was appointed to the command of the Wellington military district for one year, succeeding Colonel Chaytor in the office. When the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force was mobilised he was appointed to the command of the infantry brigade. He served with his brigade on the Suez Canal, through the Gallipoli campaign, and with it in France ever since. Throughout he won the esteem of his men and everywhere was recognised as a brave and able leader. For his services on Gallipoli he received the C.B. General Johnston married a daughter of the late A. G. Fell, of Wellington. His wife followed him to Egypt and died there a few months afterwards. A year ago the youngest son of the Speaker of the Legislative Council, Lieutenant Octavius Johnston, who was serving in the British Army, was killed while leading his men in a charge on the western front. Before that his son-in-law, Major Levin, of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, was killed on Gallipoli, and his daughter. Mrs. Levin, died some months later. The Hon. C. Johnston is at present visiting the United States on account of ill-health.