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Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 235

Military General Service 1793-1814, six clasps, Vimiera, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Toulouse (John Johnston, Capt. 2nd. Foot.), minor edge bruising, good very fine Estimate £ 2,200-2,500 Major John Johnston, Ensign, 2nd Foot, December 1800; Lieutenant, March 1804; was captured at sea with three Companies of his Regiment 17.12.1805. ´A Tale of the Unexpected´ On 17 December 1805 the Transport Vessel Lady Shaw Stewart, en route to England from Gibraltar with a three Company detachment of the Queen´s onboard, including Lieutenant Johnston, became separated from her convoy and was captured in Cadiz Bay by elements of what remained after Trafalgar of the French Fleet. Later, the Queen´s, joined by a two Company detachment of the 54th Regiment, taken by the French two days before, were all put aboard the French 44 gun Frigate Volontaire. The frigate left the Fleet intending to land the prisoners at Tenerife, but, observing two sail thought to be British Cruisers, felt it prudent to make for the Cape of Good Hope to meet the vanguard of her Division in friendlier waters. Arriving at Table Bay, the French Captain, unaware that the area was now under British control, and feeling comfortable with the deceptive Colours on the ships at anchor and on the forts, boldly sailed into captivity, to the great surprise and delight of Commodore Popham commanding the British Squadron there. The Commodore´s delight however could never have exceeded that of the 217 Officers and men of the 2nd Queen´s and 54th Regiments who were allowed to complete their voyage home. The Volontaire, a superb frigate of 1804 tons, was swiftly added to the Royal Navy under its own name. Lieutenant Johnston was advanced to Captain, August 1811; Major, January 1825; he retired April 1829. Provenance: Spink 1921 Ex-Captain C.R. Hurley Collection 1950.

Sold for
£3,600