Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
James was one of four brothers who served, Eric and William Maxwell Johnstone survived, Herbert fell in action.. James left a wife and child. The War Diary for the 13th January 1916 records. Patrols sent out at daybreak who reported small parties of enemy in the direction of the WADI RIVER. It was believed that the enemy were holding an advanced entrenched position with their left on the the Fort. Orders were issued for the Battn and the 56th (F.F.) RIFLES to drive back the enemy from the forward position and take up a line 800 yards or so beyond it to enable our artillery to shell the main position on the WADI RIVER. C and D Coy’s were in the firing line, A and B Coy’s in Reserve. The orders were carried out without encountering any opposition and the Battn dug themselves in. At 1.27pm report on enemy’s position was forwarded to Bde. At 2.17pm further report on enemy’s position forwarded. At 3.30pm the Battn with the 56th (F.F.) RIFLES on their right resumed the advance with orders to attack and occupy enemy’s main position along the WADI RIVER, thereby assisting the turning movement being carried out by the rest of the VII Div. Formation of Battn attack. Enemy opened fire at about 1100 yards range. The line continued steadily to advance until they got to within 450 yards of the enemy, by which time the Reserves (A and B Coy’s) had reinforced the firing line. Here a heavy fire was kept up on the enemy’s trenches which could now be seen extending along the whole length of the WADI. Ammunition was brought up and the Battn prepared for the assault. (Time about 4.48pm). At this stage the right flank of the Battn became subjected to enfilade machine gun and rifle fire. The assault was not carried out and the Battn dug themselves in with both flanks thrown back. About this time Major LEWIS was wounded and the Battn had suffered a loss of 3 other officers (Lt A. E. DAKIN, 2nd Lt R. W. G. CARD, 2nd Lt T. C. D. HASSALL all wounded) and 197 other ranks. Capt WEIR now in command. At 5.30pm and 8.00pm messages were sent by orderly to 28th Bde explaining the situation. As darkness set in the enemy’s fire developed into desultory sniping with occasional bursts of fire along different parts of the line. At about 11.00pm verbal orders arrived from Bde for the Battn to withdraw from its present position and take up a line 800 yards or so in rear in conjunction with the other units of the Bde, with a view to our artillery preparation being carried out the next morning. This withdrawal was carried out with no casualties, by 2.30am, and the Battn again dug themselves in.