Alexander Johnston

This section of the forum is for general enquires which are not covered in the other categories.

Moderators: Kevin Lynott, peter, LarsA

Alexander Johnston

Postby Edwin Astill » Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:42 pm

I am working on the diary of Alexander Johnston, 3rd Battalion, who went over to France in 1914 as Signals Officer 7 Inf. Bde, and rose to be Brig. Gen. in 1917 when he was wounded. Pen & Sword plan to bring this out in the summer. I am pleased to say that the Regt. Museum Trust have agreed to put the fee earned to good use - so please watch out for the publication.

The Trust have also let me work on the diary of Lt Col. Whitty - so let's see where that takes us.

Edwin Astill
Edwin Astill
Edwin Astill
 
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:33 pm

Your Book

Postby Mike Jones » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:02 am

Hello Edwin,
Is your book on Alexander Johnston finished? I know that Pen and Sword specialise in military history, so I assume your book is on his career in WW1? Is it in order for you to give us a short rundown of what is covered? What got you interested in the Worcestershire Regiment, my connection is my grandfather.
Regards Mike Jones
Mike Jones
Mike Jones
 
Posts: 325
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:00 am
Location: Kent

Postby Edwin Astill » Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:05 pm

Mike

The diary covers Johnston's time from mobilization until his visit to occupied Rhineland in 1918, although I had to edit it down from about 150,000 words to just under 100,000. I have also added a biographical summary and a fews paras at points to set the scene. My intention was to let Johnston do the talking - he was there!

I first came across references to the diary when researching the 1st Wiltshire, who were in the same brigade. This resulted in a little book published in 2005 by the Wardrobe Museum (Wiltshire & Berkshire regt Museum, Salisbury.) I was amazed to discover that the Johnston diary had not been published as it it far better than most. Fortunately Col. Lowles was supportive.

Yesterday I sent off corrections to the 1st proof.... and hope the thing will come out in the summer.

Since working on Johnston I have been looking at other 3rd Worcestershire material, and hope to be able to do something with Allen Whitty's diary. The Regiment certainly showed up some very remarkable soldiers!

My own family connection with the Great War was a Grandfather who went over with 7th Field Coy RE, and another Grandfather in the Royal Navy - escort duties etc.

Edwin
Edwin Astill
Edwin Astill
 
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 8:33 pm


Return to General Enquires

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests

cron