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Bill Johnston

1896 – 1983

Scotland international rugby union player

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About Bill Johnston

Lived 1896 – 1983 (aged 86–87). Bill Johnston was a rugby union player.

Bill Johnston (16 December 1896 – 6 October 1983) was a Scotland international rugby union player.

Rugby Union career

Amateur career

Johnston went to the High School of Glasgow to 1914.

He played rugby union for Glasgow HSFP from 1914 onwards.

He captained the side from 1920 to 1922. when he captained the side, and the 1921 inter-city match.

International career

He received one cap for Scotland, in 1922.

Although usually played at Centre, Johnston earned his Scotland cap at Full Back. It was said that his gave 'his usual sound performance', though Johnston later regretted that he was not 'playing in his proper place'.

Military career

He joined the 6th Highland Light Infantry and saw service in Egypt and Sinai. He was then commissioned in the 9th H.L.I. and spent another two years at Ypres and the Somme. He was mentioned in despatches 3 times.

Family

His father, Robert Johnston (1856-1934), was a missionary in Jamaica for over 55 years. He was responsible for the training of ministers, at the Tutorial College for Black Ministers. One of the ministers Robert Johnston trained was the father of the Olympic athlete Arthur Wint. Bill Johnston's mother was Helen Alexander.

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Important facts

Birth century
Died
1983
Occupation

People in Bill Johnston's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Bill Johnston's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bill Johnston?

Scotland international rugby union player

When was Bill Johnston born?

Bill Johnston was born on 16 December 1896.

When did Bill Johnston die?

Bill Johnston died in 1983.

What was Bill Johnston's occupation?

Bill Johnston was a rugby union player.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Bill Johnston

· Wikidata: Q116507773

· DBpedia: Bill Johnston (rugby union, born 1896)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bill Johnston. https://biography.guide/bill-johnston-rugby-union-player/

MLA: "Bill Johnston." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bill-johnston-rugby-union-player/.

Chicago: "Bill Johnston." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bill-johnston-rugby-union-player/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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