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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 145

The campaign group of seven awarded to Private R. Johnson, 7th Battalion, Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment), who landed on Gold Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944 and was wounded on that legendary day, one in which his Regimental comrade Stanley Hollis took the only Victoria Cross

Having recovered from his wounds, Johnson was to be killed in action on 2 August 1944

India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (4388623 Pte. R. Johnson. Green Howards.), mounted as worn; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (7)

Robert Johnson was born in County Durham in 1915, the son of Denwick & the late Elizabeth Johnson of Bleach Green, Winlaton. Having left school and worked on farms at Castleside and Rowley, he joined the Green Howards and served with the 2nd Battalion for some nine years in India, including on the North-West Frontier (Medal & clasp).

With the outbreak of the Second World War he would have likely be recalled and served with the 7th Battalion during the Second World War. He would have been with the first wave to land on Gold Beach around 0800hrs on D-Day and was himself wounded on that famous day, when the unit pushed forth into Crepon. It was at that place that Hollis took his V.C., and the 6th & 7th Battalions took the prize for having pushed further inland than any other British or American unit which got 'boots down' on that first day.

Recovered from his wounds, Johnson was to be killed in action on 2 August 1944. Aged just 29, he is buried in the Bayeux War Cemetery.

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Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240