Donald MacDonald Johnstone

Donald was engaged on Hospital boats from the 20/08/1914. Donald was aboard the Hospital Ship H.M.H.S. "Salta" when it was struck by a mine off Le Havre and sunk on the 10/04/1917. While returning to pick up wounded at the port of Le Havre, France, "Salta" struck a mine at 11:43, one mile (1.6 km) north of the entrance to the dam. A huge explosion smashed the hull near the stern in the engine room and hold number three. Water rushed into the disabled ship which listed to starboard and sank in less than 10 minutes. Of the 205 passengers and crew members, nine nurses, 42 member of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) and 79 crew drowned. The British patrol boat HMS P-26 attempted to come alongside to assist, but also struck a mine and sank. From the beginning of the war Donald was engaged on Hospital boats plying between the UK and the theatres of war. He is listed as JOHNSTON on the Memorial and is remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church Roll of Honour and East United Free Church Roll of Honour (see photos). See photos for Donald's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 3, his name on the Salta Memorial, his name on the Salta Memorial Panel List x 2, his name on his wife and her parents grave in Muirkirk Cemetery, his name on the Muirkirk (Gate) Memorial, a photo of H.M.H.S. "Salta", Donald's Pension Records x 2, Donald's CWGC Remembered with Honour Scroll, the Royal Army Medical Corps Cap Badge and Newspaper clippings x 2 (Coatbridge Express x 1 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1).