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Fullname: Peter Johnstone
Born: 6 July 1888
Died: 12-16 May 1917 (killed in battle)
Birthplace: Collessie, Fife
Signed: 9 Jan 1908
Position: Defender/Midfield
Debut: St Mirren 1-0 Celtic, League, 3 April 1909
Internationals: N/A
International Caps: N/A
International Goals: N/A

Biog

Coal miner Peter Johnstone signed for the Bhoys in January 1908 from Glengraig Celtic and for the best part of the next decade the Fifer was to be an invaluable asset to the Parkhead side before the horrors of war claimed his young life.

The tall and fair-haired Johnstone was a pre-war Celtic favourite who played for Celtic 223 times and was one of the players who won the league 6 times in a row under manager Willie Maley.

Blessed with the talent and intelligence to adapt to almost any position Johnstone turned out at inside-left, left-half and centre-half. It was in the latter position that Peter truly excelled, although as a left-half he was more than capable of contributing with regular goals.

At centre-half he followed in the footsteps of Willie Loney and provided the Bhoys was sterling and solid service at the very heart of a robust and resilient Celtic defence. A courageous performer he helped the title winning Hoops of 1915 and 1916 while combining his role as a footballer with that of a miner doing his shift for the war effort.

In March 1916 Peter signed up to join the troops on the frontline and in May that year was called up by the 14th Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He travelled overnight by train from the South of England to play for Celtic to knock out the Huns from the Glasgow Cup in Sep 1916. He would play his last game for Celtic on October 7th 1916 earning himself another winners medal as the Bhoys defeated Clyde 3-2 in the Glasgow Cup final.

After he transferred to the 6th Battalion to get to the front line faster in France. Just seven months later - on May 16th 1917 - Private 285250 Peter Johnstone would be killed in action. He was one of thousands of young men to fall at the Battle of Arras, northern France. His body laid in an unmarked grave (Joe Cassidy looked for his grave), Peter left behind a wife and two children who were joined in their grief by thousands of Celtic fans.

A dedication to his memory is inscribed on Bay 8 of the Arras Memorial in the Fauborg d'Amiens Cemetery (Below).

Playing Career

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From Robert Hoskins', Celtic Football Club and the Great War:

"Peter Johnstone who played 223 times for the club and featured prominently in the 6 league titles in a row side also died in the Battle of Arras on Wednesday 16th May. Peter joined the 6th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders as a Private to get quicker into the action. Peter was involved in very heavy fighting to capture a nearby chemical works between May 15th-16th. The Regimental casualty list over the 2 day Battle, reads 43 killed, 26 missing presumed dead and 51 wounded. Sadly Peter's body was never recovered and his name is inscribed on the Arras Memorial to the Missing. Rumour of Peter's death swept throughout Glasgow and was sadly confirmed on June 6th. His name is engraved on the Arras Memorial."

From http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com28250 Pte Peter Johnstone 6th Bn Seaforth HighlandersPeter had enlisted in 1916, in the 14th Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (check?) but was kept in the regimental football team as he was somewhat of a football player, having starred for Celtic before the war. He transferred to the Seaforths in order to fight. [Check if he first went overseas with them...]