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| Johnston at Gallipoli |
Johnston’s Jolly was a position overlooking the Anzac sector of Gallipoli held by the Turks for the entirety of the campaign, less one day. It was named after Colonel George Jameson Johnston commander of the 2nd Australian Artillery Brigade, who frequently described his mission as "jollying along" the Turks with his artillery.
Johnston's Jolly was the north end of Plateau 400 in the ANZAC sector, which was captured by the 2nd Australian Infantry Brigade on 25 April 1915, the day of the landing, but recaptured by Turkish forces the following day and remained under Turkish control for the rest of the campaign.
Future Major General George Jameson Johnston (1868–1949), was born in East Melbourne and entered the family firm of Charles Johnston & Co., furniture manufacturers and warehousemen, in Fitzroy. In 1887 he joined the militia as a gunner in the Victorian Field Artillery, was commissioned lieutenant in 1889 and promoted captain in 1895.
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| Location of Johnston's Jolly |
Johnston volunteered for active service in the South African War and was attached to the 62nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery, as a special service officer. He left Australia in November 1899 as a captain and was promoted major in March 1900. He served at Modder River, did regimental duty with the 62nd Battery as a section commander, and saw action at Klip Drift, Paardeberg and Osfontein before the march on Bloemfontein; he was then attached to a howitzer brigade with the Royal Field Artillery before being invalided home with fever in July 1900. His brother Lieutenant Alfred Gresham Johnston was killed in action at Rhenoster Kop. Johnston resumed his business activities in Melbourne, was promoted lieutenant-colonel, Australian Military Forces, in 1910 and commanded the Victorian Brigade, Australian Field Artillery.
On 18 August 1914 Johnston was appointed to the Australian Imperial Force as lieutenant-colonel commanding the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, 1st Australian Division. His 4th Battery landed the first 18-pounder field gun at Anzac on 25 April 1915. The guns of "Johnston's Jolly," situated near Lone Pine, were used, in the current slang of the troops, to "jolly up" the Turks. Johnston remained at Anzac until the evacuation; he was temporary commander of the 1st Divisional Artillery from August to October and from then until late November commanded the 3rd Infantry Brigade; he was promoted colonel and temporary brigadier general in December.
In January 1916, in Egypt, he was appointed commander of the 2nd Divisional Artillery and sailed for France in March. From 27 April, when his artillery placed its first barrage on the enemy parapet near Armentières, the division's infantry felt "a sure reliance" upon its own gunners. Johnston commanded the 2nd Divisional Artillery in all its engagements from 1916 until late 1917, including the battles of Pozières, Bullecourt, and 3rd Ypres. He relinquished command on 1 November 1917 and returned to Australia to attend to urgent commercial affairs. For distinguished war service he was appointed C.B. and C.M.G. and was mentioned in dispatches four times.
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| An Australian Shell Lands on Johnston's Jolly |
In 1918 he was appointed military administrator of German New Guinea. During his term several of the outlying parts of the territory were brought under more effective control, and he was the first administrator to propose a training scheme for New Guinea district officers. His administration received some public criticism and his appointment was terminated in May 1920.
On returning to Melbourne he resumed his position of governing director of Johnston's Pty, Ltd. and continued his service with the citizen forces, commanding the 3rd Division in 1922–27 with the rank of major general from 1 October 1923. Survived by two sons and a daughter, he died on 23 May 1949
A cemetery named for Johnston's Jolly was constructed after the Armistice and populated with 181 remains found on the surrounding battlefield. There is only one identified individual, although the nationalities of a few other graves are known, and special memorials record the names of 36 Australian soldiers known to be buried in the cemetery.
Sources: Australian Dictionary of Biography, Ngā Tapuwae Trails (Map), Australian War Memorial
Johnston Jolly is significant, and understanding Gallopi where Johnston's command provides insights into his challenges and strategies. Their memory is remembered by a graveyard named after him where soldier's service and bravery are not forgotten. Learning about Johnson's Jolly helps us understand the evolution of leadership, military tactics, and the impacts of war. Johnston Jolly has a cultural significance where the Gallipoli campaign holds a special place in the National History of Australia and New Zealand, which helped shape the ANZAC Day Commemorations. This article helps people connect to that time in history they read about through personal stories.
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