Johnstone, John Lorimer Gibson (1881 - 1968)

John Lorimer Gibson Johnstone was a soldier and a solicito from the Armidale area.

Johnstone was articled in 1899 to Albert Whitby Simpson, founder of Armidale's oldest law firm. After World War I he became a partner in A. W. Simpson & Co., solicitors from which he did not retire until 1962.

Johnstone's military service began as a cadet bugler in 1905. Johnstone then joined the Australian Light Horse where he progressed through the ranks to become a captain in 1912

Johnstone enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in 1914 as a sergeant. His unit served with the British artillery at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, from April to December 1915. He then served on the Western Front from March 1916 until the Armistice. While still serving with the A.I.F. he was confirmed as captain. His A.I.F. appointment ended in April 1919.

Upon returning to Australia, Johnstone married, resumed his legal practice and continued service with the 12th Light Horse. Johnstone did not retire from the armed forces until 1942 with the honorary rank of brigadier.

In 1897 he was articled to A.W. Simpson, founder of Armidale's oldest law firm, becoming a partner after World War I. JLG was commissioned as second lieutenant 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment. He enlisted in the AIF on 25 August 1914 as a sergeant and served with the British artillery at Gallipoli in 1915. He then served on the Western Front until the Armistice. He returned to Australia in 1919, having risen to the rank of Captain and been Mentioned in Dispatches.

He continued service with the 12th Light Horse Regiment and married Noémi Marie Genevieve de Lepervanche at Neutral Bay on 10 August 1924. In 1927 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Commanding Officer of the Regiment and in 1936 to Colonel and Commanding Officer of the Second Cavalry Brigade. On 1 May 1938 he was granted the temporary rank of Brigadier and retired with the honorary rank of Brigadier in June 1942 after serving in Australia during World War II.

JLG was inaugural president of the Armidale and Dumaresq Shire Repatriation Committee until 1964 and foundation member and president (1952) of Armidale Legacy Club. He was director and chairman of the New England Mutual Building and Investment Society and was an alderman on Armidale City Council from 1920 to 1922. He and his wife had four daughters and one son.

[Brief Biography compiled by Robin Hammond, January/February 2004]

• Atchison, John, 'Johnstone, John Lorimer Gibson (1881 - 1968)', in Australian Dictionary of Biography - Online Edition, Australian National University, 2006, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A090499b.htm. [ Details... ]