Name
John William Dustan
01/12/1873
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/07/1917
43
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LANGLEYBURY (ST. PAUL) CHURCHYARD
East of Church
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Langleybury (Hunton Bridge) memorial
Pre War
John William Dustan was born on 1 December 1873 in Malta, the only son of John and Mary Ann Dustan (nee Archdall). His father was a Brigade Surgeon Major.
He entered Victoria College, Jersey in 1883 and remained until 1891, getting his football colours in 1887. He was a good classical scholar and the Principal (Mr R H Chambers) wanted him to enter for a Channel Islands Scholarship at Oxford, but he did not want an academic career and joined the Royal Marline Light Infantry.
His father died in January 1890 and on the 1891 Census he was listed with his widowed mother and sister Mary living at Oakland, Paul Mill Road, Jersey. Both John and Mary are listed as having been born in Malta as British subjects. His mother was recorded as 'living on his own means' and they employed one servant.
He enrolled with the military on 1 September 1893 and went out to the China Station in 1898, being promoted to Captain in 1902 whilst there. He fought in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900 and was mentioned in despatches in the fighting around Tientsin.
John married Grace Ramsay Archdall in 1902 in Cork, Ireland and their son John Anthony Ramsey Dustan was born in 1904 in Gosport, Hampshire. At the time of the 1911 Census the family were living at Henriville, Brockhurst Road, Gosport, Hants. Later the same year he was promoted to the rank of Major.
They later lived at The Patch, Hunton Bridge, Abbots Langley, Herts.
Wartime Service
In 1913 John went to sea in the flagship HMS St Vincent and was serving on board when the war began. The terrible exposure of the first winter 1914-1915 and long hours spent 'spotting'; in the icy cold of the conning tower, was detrimental to his health which broke down completely at the end of 1915.
He retired from the military and spent time in various hospitals and convalescent homes until his death on 2 July 1917, leaving his widow Grace and son, John, who was at college from 1913 to 1916.
John is buried in St Paul's Churchyard, Langleybury,(Hunton Bridge) Herts in a private (not CWGC) grave, but which is recognised by CWGC.
Additional Information
His widow obtained probate of his estate in London on 7 February 1918 with effects of £1707 9s 2d.
John's headstone (not CWGC) bears the inscription:
IN DEAR MEMORY OF JOHN WILLIAM DUSTAN
MAJOR ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY BORN DEC. 1ST 1873, DIED JULY 2ND 1917.
“UNTIL THE DAY BREAK AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY”
He is also commemorated on the family grave, St Saviour Churchyard, Jersey, Channel Islands.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild, www.greatwarci.net,
