Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 860

Pair: Corporal A. E. Johnston, 1/1st County of London Yeomanry (Middlesex Hussars), who was killed in action - a V.C. action - in Palestine in October 1917

1914-15 Star (1914 Pte. A. E. Johnston, 1st Co. of Lond. Y.); British War Medal 1914-20 (1914 Pte. A. E. Johnston, 1-Co. of Lond. Y), good very fine (2)

Albert Edward Johnston was embarked with the 1/1st County of London Yeomanry for Egypt in April 1915; it was a beastly voyage, 32 of the regiment's horses dying in the process.

The regiment landed in Gallipoli on 18 August and saw action at Chocolate Hill two days later, when it witnessed the 2nd Mounted Division being decimated by enemy artillery fire; after the war, a Turkish officer recalled, 'the Division presented a target such as artillerymen thought impossible outside the world of dreams'. Johnston's unit suffered casualties of 10 killed and 46 wounded on the same occasion. Owing to such losses, the Regiment was amalgamated with other Yeomanry units in September.

The Middlesex Hussars afterwards saw action in Palestine, Johnston being killed in action at Hill 720 on 27 October 1917. On that date, a large Turkish force attacked the unit's positions in the early hours but no assistance was forthcoming. The Hussars were overwhelmed after seven hours of severe fighting. The last message received from Major Alexander Lafone stated: 'I am surrounded, unable to get wounded away, send six stretchers. Will hold on to last.' He was awarded a posthumous V.C., the citation stating:

'For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and self-sacrifice when holding a position for over seven hours against vastly superior enemy forces. All this time the enemy were shelling his position heavily, making it very difficult to see. In one attack, when the enemy cavalry charged his flank, he drove them back with heavy losses. In another charge they left fifteen casualties within twenty yards of his trench, one man, who reached the trench, being bayoneted by Major Lafone himself.

When all his men, with the exception of three, had been hit and the trench which he was holding was so full of wounded that it was difficult to move and fire, he ordered those who could walk to move to a trench slightly in the rear, and from his own position maintained a most heroic resistance. When finally surrounded and charged by the enemy, he stepped into the open and continued the fight until he was mortally wounded and fell unconscious. His cheerfulness and courage were a splendid inspiration to his men, and by his leadership and devotion he was enabled to maintain his position, which he had been ordered to hold at all costs.'

Casualties for the 1/1st County of London Yeomanry included two officers and 16 men killed in action with a further 19 men wounded; the majority of these must surely have been sustained in the defence of Hill 720.

Scenes partly - or even entirely - witnessed by Albert Johnston. Aged 33, he was the son of James and Margaret Johnston of 128 Hartfield Road, Wimbledon, London, and is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£120

Starting price
£70