Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 222

(x) An Anglo-Boer War D.C.M. group of four to Sergeant J. Johnson, 5 Company, Eastern Division, Royal Artillery, who was additionally "mentioned" in the Boer War and who was later to get a Meritorious Service Medal

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (43426 Sjt: J. Johnson. R.G.A.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (43426 Sgt J. Johnson, 5th E.D., R.G.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (43426 Serjt: J. Johnson. R.G.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt: J. Johnson. R.A.), the first possibly re-pinned, the second with loose top clasp, otherwise light contact marks very fine (4)

D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902.

M.I.D. London Gazette 29 July 1902.

James Johnson was born at Castletown, Castlederg, Tyrone. He had previously served in the Donegal Militia before joining the Royal Artillery at Londonderry on 28 June 1894. He served at Gibraltar between 9 October 1884 and 21 February 1885 before serving in Egypt from 22 February 1885 until 24 January 1887. Johnson did not earn any campaign medals for his service in Egypt.

Johnson returned home on 25 January 1887 and remained there until being posted to Gibraltar on 5 November 1895 and from thence to Malta. He was still there when the Cretan Crisis of 1898 broke out and he was posted with his unit to the Island on 7 April 1899. Returning briefly to Malta on 8 April 1899 he was posted to South Africa on 17 January 1900 for Boer War Service.

He was present there on 13 December 1900 for the Battle of Nooitgedacht where two large Boer Commandos under De La Ray and Beyers attacked General Clements column while they were encamped. The Boer's launched an early morning attack but managed to alert the British pickets and suffered heavy losses in the initial encounter. Slowly however they gained the upper hand and eventually the British were forced back to Yeomanry Hill where they dug in. Notably a 4.7-inch naval gun nearly rolled down the hill but was caught and dragged back to British lines before it could be seized by the Boers. Eventually the Boers became distracted by looting the British camp and the Clements was able to slip away having suffered heavy losses but importantly maintained his formation as a fighting unit.

Johnson was posted to Bermuda on 16 June 1901 where he remained until 4 May 1902 when he returned home and joined the Permanent Staff of the Northumberland Volunteer Artillery. He was discharged on 31 July 1903 at Berwick-on-Tweed as a result of being medically unfit for further service.

Johnson was originally issued with a 3-clasp Queen's South Africa Medal but was later found to be entitled to the 'South Africa 1901' clasp which was issued on 25 September 1908.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£800