Military History

Reginald is listed as being killed in action on 8th September 1914, the first officer of the Cameron Highlanders to be killed in WW1. The 1st Battalion war diary note that entries for the period "4th August to 16th September were lost on the Aisne on 21st September 1914". The following description of events leading up to Reginald's death is taken from the Internet Archive book Historical Records of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders Volume 3 click here to read it.

"Next day, Sunday, September 6th, was to be the Camerons’ first taste of fire since the South African War. They left Nesles at 5am, and marched east by south to Voinsles, where the 1st Brigade were in action from 8.20am to 1Oam., German shells falling amongst the 1st Battalion in the open. They retired about one mile, and then advanced to a forward position, and later a similar duel took place from 1 to 2pm. Subsequently the 79th advanced several miles, and bivouacked in the area Le Plessis, Puiseau, Gloise.

On the 7th, No 6 Platoon, under Lieutenant R. N. Stewart, moved out early in the morning to clear a wood of Germans, and then returned to the battalion. The Camerons were this day advanced guard to the brigade, and had to pursue quickly to keep in touch with the enemy, who were retiring. The want of travelling kitchens was severely felt by the battalion.

After a long march, 5.30am. to 8pm, they camped at La Ferté Gaucher, passing through Amillis, Chevru, and Choisy on the way. The camp was near L’Epine Ovale.

Next day [8th] the pursuit was continued across the Grand Morin, the German rearguard shelling Bellot and coming into action against the Black Watch and Camerons at Sablonnitres. Here three men of the battalion—Privates M‘Ewan, Ford, and Davidson—and Lieutenant R. F. L. Johnstone were killed, the first Cameron officer to lose his life in the Great War. Privates Macdonald, Hay, and M‘Shane were wounded.

The Petit Morin having been crossed at Sablonniéres, the British troops pushed on via Hondevilliers, and the 79th bivouacked for the night in a newly-cut cornfield at Bassevelle. Lieutenant Johnstone, whose body had been brought from Sablonniéres in a cart by a French farmer, was buried in the churchyard".