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Arthur Thomas Johnson was born in Ontario had served in the South African (Second Boer) War and in Kamloops with the BC Provincial Police, and was running a grocery store in Murrayville, beneath the original Murrayville Hall, by 1911. His wife, Jessie Jane Johnston, operated a hat store next door. When the First World War broke out, he was one of many Langley residents to volunteer, and because of his former experience, led a group originally known as the "Langley Volunteers." The small group later became the "C" Squadron of the 31st British Columbia Horse (Mounted Rifles). Johnston received his commission in May 1916, in the 102nd (Comox-Atlin) Battalion. On June 27, 1916, he sailed from Halifax, where he had found out he was promoted to major. On September 2, 1916, Johnston was near Ypres, waiting with his company in the reserve trenches, ready to go forward. He came out of his dugout to take a look over the edge of his parapet at the exact moment a sniper was trained in his direction. He was killed instantly when the bullet hit is head. He was buried at Reninghelst.

Art Johnston's sacrifice was remembered in Langley after the war. The Townline Road was renamed the Johnston Townline Road (216th Street), and a memorial tree was planted along the street (at Milner) in his honour. It is believed to be one of the last (or perhaps the last) of the original memorial trees standing today (2020).

Term Source: HPC Record (HPC-337/1107), Roads and Place Names in Langley, B.C. pg. 39 (Pepin).