REPORTED KILLED AT TOBRUK

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 10

REPORTED KILLED AT TOBRUK

Major R. Q. F. Johnston

LETTER FROM COLONEL Major Robin Quentin Featherston Johnston, previously reported to be missing and. believed a prisoner of war, is now stated to have been killed on active service in Libya, at the fall of Tobruk.

It was reported last Tuesday that, according to private advice received in Wellington, Major Johnston was missing and believed a prisoner. A letter has now been received from his colonel that a subsequent report from a corporal who wars wounded alongside Major Johnston states that he was killed.

The report states that with a party of five men, Major Johnston was engaged on a special mission demolishing wire in front of Tobruk. The small party came under direct artillery fire and the five men with Major Johnston were all wounded. They were recovered in an Italian hospital by the Australians next day, when Tobruk fell. The colonel writes that Major Johnston had already rendered distinguished service in the Libyan campaign. His 20 years’ service in his regiment had been marked by the closeness of his fellowship with the men under him. They would go anywhere with him. His leadership and care for the men’s welfare would remain an inspiration to all ranks.

Major Johnston, who was second in command of a battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, was a son of Mr. Justice Johnston and Mrs. Johnston, Wellington. He was educated at Wanganui Collegiate School, and after finishing his course there —shortly after the last war—he went to the Royal Artillery College at Sandhurst. He then obtained a regular commission in the Durham Light Infantry, and served with his regiment in peace-time in China and Egypt. He was married while in England and his wife and small daughter are now in Wellington.