The Oxford record has it that 'James Johnston matriculated from Merton College on 1 February 1896. The first son of John Johnston, farmer of Tomagh, Castlecaulfield, he was born on 24 November 1874 in Donaghmore, County Tyrone, and was previously educated at the Royal Academical Institution, Belfast and Queen's College, Galway. He obtained second class honours in Classical Moderations in 1897 and passed groups A1 (Greek Philosophy and Greek or Latin History), B1 (English History and Literature, or Modern European History or Indian History with Political and Descriptive Geography) and B3 (the Elements of Political Economy) of the final Pass School in Michaelmas Term 1901. The degrees of BA and MA were conferred on him on 21 June 1906.'

According to the Oxford record, 'John Johnston matriculated from Merton College on 15 October 1901. The third son of John Johnston (described as `ex-National School teacher' in this case), he was born on 14 April 1883 in Tomagh and was previously educated at the Royal School, Dungannon. He obtained second class honours in Classical Moderations in 1903 and first class honours in Literae Humaniores in 1905. The degree of BA was conferred on him on 21 October 1905 and that of MA on 12 November 1910.'

John is on record in the Merton debating society, as their Secretary in 1902 and President in 1903. The society discussed all the leading issues of the day. During his time the flavour was Liberal, but subsequently it seems to have become more Tory.

Again, the Oxford record: 'William Johnston matriculated from Lincoln College on 22 January 1907. The fifth son of John Johnston (`retired school-teacher'), he was born on 23 May 1888 in Tomagh and was previously educated at the Royal School, Dungannon. He obtained second class honours in Classical Moderations in 1908 and in Literae Humaniores in 1910. The degree of BA was conferred on him on 13 October 1910.'

I have as yet no record of Sam, but Harry went to medical school and then into practice in London.

The influence of the elder brothers in the Indian Civil Service probably was significant. Family lore has it that James was influential in the writing of Civil War in Ulster. His Queens College Galway degree was the norm for many Northern Protestants at a time when the Hierarchy was opposed to the 'Godless Colleges'. He had an all-Ireland perspective, as indeed was the norm among Irish Protestants at the time.

James's understanding of India was embodied in a book he wrote on his retirement, 'Can the Hindus Rule India?', P S King, London 1935. This was a polemic against the then Government's proposal to introduce a federal system to India in which the States under their feudal rulers would have had status which he compared to the pre-Reform 'rotten boroughs'.

He took a dim view of the Hindu religion, and predicted that any attempt to impose Western democratic structures on India would be subverted by the workings of the caste system. Gandhi he regarded as humbug, who on occasion connived at the massacre of Muslims, a view which would not be fashionable today. He did however accurately identify the factors which subsequently led to the partitioning of India and the emergence of Pakistan.

Throughout the book however there is in evidence an aspiration to achieve the secular democratic objectives of the Enlightenment, and a belief that these were realisable within the British imperial system. In this context he supported Irish Home Rule, as did the rest of the family. He believed that the Irish should be participating on an equal basis in the 'civilising mission' of the Empire.

James regarded the Muslims as being more 'us', with their rejection of caste, and their monotheism. However he never resorts to suggesting any analogy with the Ulster 'Rome Rule' perceived threat. He does however make frequent references to Irish analogies in political terms, with lessons for India in the de Valera experience, and an understanding of the parallels between Congress and Fianna Fail, some of which were quite perceptive and indeed predictive.

I hope to be able to expand on this when I get around to the full biographical treatment.

Some navigational notes:

Copyright Dr Roy Johnston 1998