The Ballingry Celtic Supporters Club in Fife are at the forefront of a campaign to build a memorial garden in honour of one of Celtic’s great tragic heroes – centre-half Peter Johnstone.
A team-mate of the mighty Jimmy Quinn, Alec McNair, Sunny Jim Young and Patsy Gallacher, Peter won an impressive 4 championship medals, 2 Scottish Cup medals, 3 Glasgow Cups and 4 Charity Cups in his eight years at Celtic Park before he volunteered to fight at the front in World War 1. He was reported missing, presumed dead on 16 May 1917 and his body was never recovered.
Peter came from the village of Glencraig in Fife and played for the village team – Glencraig Celtic- before Willie Maley signed him for the better known Glasgow version. He was a hugely popular player in his time in the Hoops.
The plans for a memorial garden in Glencraig are now well advanced. There is still an opportunity – for the next 2 weeks only – for supporters to help this great project and ensure that Peter’s memory is marked for the first time officially in his community buy buying bricks that will be used to form the walls for the memorial garden.
Bricks are only £20 and can be inscribed. For full details please visit the Memorial Committee’s website: http://lochore.org.uk/?page_id=580
The site contains information about Peter’s life, career and tragic ending.
Peter’s story also featured on the official Celtic site on the anniversary of his death last year: http://www.celticfc.net/news/5896
Help to honour this great Celt
the shamrock 