On 7 May 2025 at R. E. Farm Cemetery (Flanders, Belgium) members of the Halton Regional Police Service, including the Pipes and Drums and Honour Guard, joined by Chief Stephen J. Tanner held a solemn Service of Remembrance honouring the life and sacrifice of James W. Johnstone, a Canadian soldier who gave his life in the Great War. Author Heather McBriarty who wrote a book about James's story was also present. The book "Somewhere in Flanders, Letters from the front" tells the story of James through the nearly 70 letters he wrote to his sweetheart, Isobel, at home in Halifax. Glad, as RCL member, I could join.
Private James William “Jim” Johnstone, was born on 27 Feb 1893
at Dartmouth, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the son of Prescott Johnston and Alice Johnston, of 17, Prince Albert Rd., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. He was killed on 22 Feb 1916, aged 22.
He was with No. 4 Company, 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, C.E.F. He enlisted in Edmonton, Alberta in August of 1914, with the 101st Edmonton Fusilliers (later the 9th Can. Inf. Battalion) and trained with the 1st Canadian Contingent at Valcartier, P.Q.. He sailed to England in October, 1914, and was transfered to the 2nd Battn. in March of 1915, arriving in France that month.
At the going of the sun and in the morning,  we will remember them.
NL:
Op 7 mei 2025 hielden leden van de Halton Regional Police Service (Ontario), waaronder de Pipes and Drums en Honour Guard, samen met Chief Stephen J. Tanner, op R. E. Farm Cemetery (Vlaanderen, België) een plechtige herdenkingsdienst ter ere van het leven en de opoffering van James W. Johnstone, een Canadese soldaat die zijn leven gaf in de Eerste Wereldoorlog. Auteur Heather McBriarty, die een boek schreef over het verhaal van James, was ook aanwezig. Het boek "Ergens in Vlaanderen, Brieven van het front" vertelt het verhaal van James aan de hand van de bijna 70 brieven die hij thuis in Halifax schreef aan zijn geliefde, Isobel. Blij, als RCL-lid kon ik lid worden.
Private James William "Jim" Johnstone, werd geboren op 27 Feb 1893in Dartmouth, Halifax County, Nova Scotia, Canada. Hij was de zoon van Prescott Johnston en Alice Johnston, van 17, Prince Albert Rd., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Hij sneuvelde op 22 feb 1916, 22 jaar oud.
Hij was bij No. 4 Company, 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, C.E.F. Hij nam dienst in Edmonton, Alberta in augustus 1914, bij de 101st Edmonton Fusilliers (later het 9th Can. Inf. Battalion) en trainde bij het 1st Canadian Contingent in Valcartier, P.Q.. Hij zeilde in oktober 1914 naar Engeland en werd overgeplaatst naar het 2nd Battn. in maart 1915 en arriveerde die maand in Frankrijk.

the Pipes and Drums and Honour Guard of the Halton Regional Police Service marching to the cemetery.



the headstone of Private James William “Jim” Johnstone, dressed witht he Canadian Flag

the drums placed ceremonially 

the Honour Guard of the Halton Regional Police Service 





master of ceremony Drum Major Special Constable John Guy of the Halton Regional Police Service P& D Band 








Author Heather McBriarty telling the story of James and
other Canadian men resting here


R. E. Farm Cemetery in its rural landscape

'We were soldiers ' played and sung by members of the P&D band 

'in Flanders fields' recited by a member Pipes and Drums of the Halton Regional Police Service 

a band member brought his father and son to the ceremony. A wreath is laid at the grave by the son,
the youngest member present.





Last Post is played



lament is played

Honour Guard marching of at the end of the ceremony 

pagina aangemaakt door / page made by Frank Mahieu