Inspector Robert JOHNSTON (41)

04 May 1921
City of Glasgow Police

PI Johnston was shot whilst escorting a Sinn Feinn suspect to prison to await an escort to Ireland by RIC officers.

In early 1921 a truce was being negotiated between the UK government and what would become the government of an independent Ireland. However, hostilities were still ongoing with casualties from the Royal Irish Constabulary and others a regular story in the newspapers of the day.

There was sympathy for the republican cause amongst some of the residents of Glasgow (particularly in the east end) who were Irish immigrants, or of Irish decent. There had been a number of arrests and the police were trying to prevent sectarian violence, gun running, espionage and keep a track of other ‘Sinn Feinner’ activity.

10 members of the ‘Dumbarton Sinn Fein club’ were amongst a group of about 50 men found illegally drilling on Carman Moor that year. They appeared at the High court and received sentences ranging from 3 to 9 months imprisonment.

In May 1921 Detectives from the City of Glasgow Police traced and apprehended a wanted IRA man in the city, one Frank T Carty AKA Frank Somers. He was wanted for escaping from both Sligo and Londonderry prisons, theft of a revolver and was suspected of at least one murder.

After being processed at the Central police station in the city it was decided to transport him the short distance to Duke Street Prison to await a R.I.C. escort back to Ireland. Inspector Robert Johnston was the officer in charge of the ‘court squad’ and he was well aware of Somers’ reputation and that special measures would be required to ensure he reached the prison safely.

The normal mode of transport for such journeys was a ‘motor waggon’ with a wooden partition in the rear to keep male and female prisoners apart. For this journey only Somers was on board, guarded by Inspector Johnston, Detective Sergeant George Stirton and four other armed officers.

It was just after midday on the 4th May 1921 when they set out on a journey of scarcely more than half a mile. All went according to plan until the van reached the top of the incline on High street near to Cathedral Square. It slowed as the driver, Constable Thomas Ross, prepared to turn into the prison entrance when all hell broke loose.

Suddenly the van was surrounded on three sides by a body of around 25 young men, dressed in everyday clothes, some with their faces covered. Without warning and from close range they began to fire handguns at the officers guarding the vehicle. In the first volley, the front windscreen was shattered and a bullet penetrated the radiator, causing the engine to stop. The officers did their best to return fire but Inspector Johnston was immediately struck in the chest and fell out, onto the roadway.

Without hesitation or regard for his own safety, DS Stirton jumped out and stood over his fallen colleague returning fire with his service revolver. This display of courage and the stout defence put up by DC Murdoch MacDonald and the other officers had the effect of scattering the group at the front of the van who took cover, but continued to fire sporadically.

The group at the rear of the van made it to the back doors but couldn’t gain entry. They resorted to shooting the locks in an attempt to free the prisoner, but to no avail and were soon beaten back by the police escort. By all accounts the back of the van was riddled with bullet holes but, by some miracle no one was injured.

In the continuing exchange of gunfire DS Stirton was wounded when a shot struck him on his wrist, causing him to drop his revolver. However, by chasing off the initial attack he had given the ‘motorman’, Constable Ross time to briefly check the damaged engine and get it started again.

Ross was able to get back into the vehicle and make a dash to the prison gate and safety with their prisoner still on board. Seeing their chances of success receding rapidly, the attackers scattered as Prison staff came rushing out to assist the police.

The injured officers were quickly put in a commandeered vehicle and carried the short distance to the Royal Infirmary. Nothing could be done for Inspector Johnston who had been shot through the heart and had died instantly. DS Stirton was in great pain and suffering from loss of blood but was treated promptly and survived his injuries.

Needless to say, a great deal of effort was put into finding those responsible and a number of suspects were taken into custody in the next few days. It was reported that all of the detective staff were armed whilst on duty and no stone was left unturned. Evidence was recovered at various locations including firearms and written notes planning the raid. Members of the James Connelly Sinn Fein Club at 171 Renfield Street seem to have played some part in the organising of the raid and evidence found there led to further arrests.

One of those arrested in the aftermath was a young Catholic Priest who was apprehended at his Chapel house. An angry mob formed outside and reinforcements had to be called in when they attacked the police. The Chief Constable even received threatening letters (purportedly from the IRA) promising dire consequences if the priest was not released immediately.

In all, 13 men appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh that August charged with ‘Conspiracy’ and Murder. They all entered a special defence of alibi.

The prosecution was undertaken by the Solicitor General, the Hon. Wm. Watson KC and Advocate Depute Lord Kinross. After a trial which lasted a little over two weeks all of the accused were acquitted, with verdicts of either not guilty or not proven. They were met by cheering supporters ‘waving green flags’ when they left the court.

The press remarked… ‘this was the first trial in which a capital charge was involved in which there have been ladies in the jury’.

Detective Sergeant George Stirton DCM MSM was 35 at the time of the incident, a native of Dundee he had joined the City of Glasgow Police in 1906. At the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted in the machine-gun Corps where he reached the rank of Sergeant. He later transferred to the Tank Corps and was promoted to Sergeant-Major, returning to the City of Glasgow Police after the war. He retired as Detective Lieutenant and subsequently moved to Ayr where he died in 1957, age 71.

30 officers mustered at Shettleston police office on the day of Inspector Johnston’s funeral, the City Police Pipe Band led them and the cortege from his home at 12 Woodend Place as far as the gates of Tollcross Park. The ‘motor hearse’ and carriages with the mourners then proceeded quickly to Watson Street at the Gallowgate where they were met by a large contingent of Central Division officers and the force brass band. The cortege was then escorted along the Trongate to Argyle Street and over the Jamaica Bridge before leaving for his final resting place at Balmaghie churchyard in Kircudbright.

Inspector Robert Johnston was 41 and had joined the City of Glasgow Police in 1903. He was a married man with two children and was originally from Castle Douglas. He was a well known and extremely capable officer who had served throughout the city.

His name is engraved on the Scottish Police Memorial and will never be forgotten.

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