Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Johnston, William (1773-1844)
JOHNSTON, Sir WILLIAM (1773–1844), lieutenant-general, born in 1773, entered the army as ensign in the 18th foot 3 June 1791. His subsequent steps were: lieutenant 7 Jan. 1794, captain 4 April 1795, major 27 Feb. 1800, lieutenant-colonel 25 April 1808, colonel 4 June 1814, major-general 27 May 1825, lieutenant-general 28 June 1838. He served at Gibraltar until October 1793, thence went to Toulon, where he was in action [cf. O'Hara, Charles, general], and proceeded to Corsica, where he was wounded, and where he became captain in Smith's Corsican regiment. In 1797 he took part in the expedition against Tuscany, and in 1798, having returned to England, he was placed on half-pay, but saw some service during the Irish rebellion with a yeomanry corps. In 1800 he joined the 68th foot as major; in 1801 he went with his regiment on the expedition directed against the Danish and Dutch West Indies; he commanded the 68th at the siege of Flushing (August 1809), and throughout the Walcheren expedition. Johnston afterwards distinguished himself in the Peninsula, and led the 68th at Salamanca, Vittoria, and Orthez; he was wounded seriously at Vittoria, and received a medal with two clasps. On 2 June 1837 he was made K.C.B., and the colonelcy of the 68th was given to him 6 April 1838. He died at Orchard Place, Southampton, 23 Jan. 1844, leaving a widow, a son in the 8th foot, and six daughters.
Sir William Johnston, the lieutenant-general, must be carefully distinguished from Sir William Johnston (1760–1844), seventh baronet of Johnston, who was son of Sir William Johnston, sixth baronet of that ilk, and a collateral descendant of Sir John Johnston (d. 1690) [q. v.] He also entered the army and saw service in India; in 1798 he raised a regiment of fencibles, which was disbanded in 1802. From 1801 to 1806 he represented New Windsor in the House of Commons. He died at the Hague 13 Jan. 1844, leaving, with other issue by his second wife, Maria, daughter of John Bacon, a son, the eighth baronet, whose son, Sir William Johnston, became ninth baronet.
[Gent. Mag. 1844, i. 319, ii. 89; Times, 24 Jan. 1844; Hampshire Advertiser, 27 Jan. 1844; Ann. Reg.; Anderson's Scottish Nation; Irving's Book of Eminent Scotsmen.]