1 Soer General
Please advise
signature
8.VII.16 Any furrther communication on this
subject should be addressed to- The Secretary,
War Office,
Park Buildings,
St. James's Park,
London, S.W., and the following number quoted. CHIEF SECRETARY
11742 -- 8. JUL.1816
OFFICE

War Office,
Park Buildings,
St. James's' Park,
London, S.W.E/ 128104 / 1. (Accounts 4.) 4th July, 1916. Sir, I am directed to forward the following statement of case and the
accompanying documents relating thereto for your perusal and such action as
you may consider advisable. No.8166, Private William Robert Johnston, 1st Battalion, Royal
Irish Fusiliers, died in France on the 11th December,1915. A sum of
£21.4.1. (Twenty one pounds, four shillings and one penny) was found to be
due to his estate from Army Funds and no Will made by him is forthcoming. The application (marked A) attached claiming the deceased's
effects and money and bearing the signature Frank Johnston was received in
the War Office on the 7th February,1916. In response the form of
application (marked B) was despatched to the applicant on the 15th
February,1916 and it was received back in the War Office on the 27th March,
1916 was the information, declaration and certificate now shown therein. As it appeared from the information given in that form that the
applicant was entitled to the whole of the deceased's estate as the brother
and only next of kin of the deceased, the attached Money Order (marked C)
for £21.4.1. was sent on instructions from this Department by the Command
Paymaster, Eastern Command, to Mr Frank Johnston on the 13th April. It will
be observed that the Order was cashed on the 17th idem at Belfast to the
signature Frank Johnston, the handwriting agreeing with that of the
signature to the form marked B. On the 20th April, 1916 the letter (marked D) bearing the
signature Alexander Johnstone and stating that the writer was entitled to a
portion of the estate was received in the War Office. Alexander Johnston

was The Chief Crown Solicitor,
Chief Secretary's Office,
Dublin Castle,
Dublin. 2 was requested to give a full statement of all the deceased's brothers and
sisters and the reply (marked E) was received in this Department on the
13th May1916. The last mentioned document shows that the late soldier had
eight brothers and sisters and the children of the deceased sister Rosanna were
of course, legally entitled to share in the distribution of the amount due
to the estate. The case was referred to the Inspector General, Royal Irish
Constabulary, for investigation,vide copy of War Office letter of 23rd May
1916, (marked F). His report on the case dated 2nd June,1916, is also
enclosed (marked G). I am also to inform you with regard to the statement in the
document marked D that recovery of any overpayment might be effected from
an Army allowance issued to Frank Johnston in respect of his son, that it
has been ascertained that the allowance is being paid to Sarah Johnston,
presumably his wife. It does not, therefore, appear to this Department
that recovery could properly be effected from the allowance in question
even if it were deemed advisable to take any steps to secure the recovery
of any overpayment. I am,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant, AFMajor
for the Assistant Financial Secretary. Enclosures.
A. Frank Johnston's letter of 3rd February 1916.
B. Form 39 issued 15th February 1916.
C. Money Order No.122851.
D. Alexander Johnston's letter 19th April 1916.
E. Alexander Johnston's letter 11th May 1916.
F. War Office letter (flimsy) 23rd May 1916.
G. Constabulary letter 2nd June 1916.