Five: Fusilier J. Johnson, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, taken prisoner-of-war at Tobruk, 20 June 1942, who escaped to Switzerland in September 1943

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (4976269 Fus., R.N.F.) correction to service number; U.N. Korea 1950-54, a later striking, unnamed, very fine (5) £220-260

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Jasper Johnson was born in Bakewell, Derbyshire on 19 February 1920. A Lorry Driver by occupation, he enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters on 10 January 1939. With them he served briefly in Palestine, 3-22 August 1939; Cyprus, Middle East and North Africa, August 1939-June 1942. Serving at Tobruk, he was captured by a German patrol when trying to escape after the perimeter was broken. Johnson was held in Italy as a prisoner-of-war and was engaged in farm work. On 9 September 1943, following the Italian armistice, the Italian guards permitted the prisoners to leave the camp at Gambra. Johnson went to the farm where he had been employed and remained there until 21 September. Then, with the help of one of the farm workers as a guide, he travelled by train to Tirano and then with the assistance of an Italian woman, crossed the mountains into Switzerland on 23 September. He returned home in October 1944. Johnson then served with the 1st Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in Korea, October 1950-October 1951. Transferred to Class ‘Z’ Reserve in November 1951. With copied P.O.W. questionnaire and service notes.