Lukin Johnston

Edwyn Harry Lukin Johnston (August 8, 1887 - November 18, 1933) was an English-Canadian journalist, author, and soldier whose mysterious disappearance, three days after interviewing Adolf Hitler, is speculated to be a possible assassination and "one of the most enduring mysteries of Canadian journalism."

In January 1914, he moved to the provincial capital to become city editor and write about politics for the daily newspaper Victoria Colonist even though he had earlier described the newspaper's editor, Charles Lugrin, as "one of the worst rogues unhung."

Johnston telegrammed his former coworker/roommate Hugh Savage to replace himself as editor of the Cowichan Leader. He was honourably discharged with the rank of Major. His younger brother, J.L. Lukin Johnston, had enlisted at Duncan into the 30th Battalion, was promoted to captain, and was killed in battles in France.

In July 1923, after initially being denied access to American President Warren G. Harding's trip to Alaska, Johnston was smuggled on board the ship in Portland, Oregon by American journalists. His charming nature warmed Harding to give interviews. Johnston's coverage of Harding's sailing was published in The Province prior to Harding's popular visit to the City of Vancouver, a week prior to Harding's death in San Francisco.

He was a friend and coworker of several notable journalists, including Bruce Hutchison. In 1925, The Province made Johnston the first editor of the paper's new populist family-oriented weekly Magazine Section.

Johnston expanded his coverage of politics to international affairs and also wrote about his journeys throughout British Columbia's rural areas. In May 1928 he was appointed the chief correspondent in Europe for the Canadian Southam News agency and established a working relationship with The Times of London. In 1929 he published Beyond the Rockies: 3000 Miles by trail and canoe through little known British Columbia.

A contemporary Canadian journalist best summarized Johnston's impact on Canadian news services in the 1930s. "e established himself as a brilliant and reliable interpreter for Canadian readers of British events and political developments. His cables from London to the Vancouver Province and Associated Southam Newspapers throughout Canada were the most eagerly read of any despatches from the Old Country."

Ten days before Hitler's election win, Johnston wrote: "Never in history has propaganda been mobilized on such a vast scale or with such crushing efficiency to bend the will of a nation ... opposition parties have ceased to exist, and the watchful eyes of the storm troopers will check voters in thousands of small electoral districts." by a minion of Goering. Castle suggested that the Germans may have suspected Johnston was going to write a book critical of the German government and its interests in aggression versus Poland.

Authored books 1929 - Beyond the Rockies 1931 - In England Today 1933 - Down English Lanes