Reginald Joseph Winfield Johnston was born on 10 August 1895 in Springfield, Manitoba, Canada, son of Joseph William Johnston and Margaret Jane Johnston. The family moved to Fairford, Manitoba when Reginald was an infant. Reginald was Métis, his great-grandparents being William Hemmings Cook, an employee of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and Kahnawoswamakan Agatha Cree.

Johnston grew up and worked as a homesteader in Fairford until his enlistment in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) with the 107th Overseas Battalion in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 19 January 1916 at the age of 20.

Private Johnston sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on 18 September 1916 for England, arriving in Liverpool eight days later on 25 September 1916.

Following months of training at Witley Military Camp in Surrey, England, he transferred to the 16th Canadian Infantry Battalion (The Canadian Scottish), CEF on 28 November 1916 being taken on strength on 4 December of that year.

In the following months, Private Johnston and the 16th Battalion participated in numerous battles, including the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Private Johnston and the 16th Battalion fought in the advance on Hill 70 that began 15 August 1917 and lasted ten days ending on 25 August 1917. The advance was in two stages with the capture of two objective lines. The 16th Battalion secured its part of the first of these objectives, the "Blue Line" soon after the start of the attack. The second objective, the "Green Line" was secured early the following day.

Private Johnston’s service and medical records originally listed him as wounded with later reports indicating he was missing and presumed killed in action on 15-16 August 1917 at the age of 22.

Following the war, his name was engraved on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial commemorating Canadian soldiers who died during the First World War and have no known grave.

In August 2011, skeletal human remains were discovered during a munitions clearing process near rue Léon Droux, Vendin-le-Vieil, France. A 16th Battalion button was found with the remains as well as a legible identification disc.

Through historical, genealogical, anthropological and archaeological analysis, with the assistance of the Canadian Forces Forensic Odontology Response Team, and the Canadian Museum of History, the Casualty Identification Review Board was able to confirm the identity of the remains as Private Reginald Joseph Winfield Johnston.

Private Johnston was buried on 24 August 2017 in the CWGC Loos British Cemetery, Loos-en-Gohelle, France. His grave is now marked with an engraved Commission headstone and will be cared for in perpetuity.