Arabian States, Sultanate of Qu’aiti, Order of Distinction (Distinguished Service Medal), obverse: the bust of Sultan Salih bin Ghalib of Qu’aiti, reverse: the arms of the Sultanate, 37mm., silver, on ‘military’ ribbon, extremely fine £200-300

The Sultanate of Qu’aiti occupied part of the Hadhramaut region of Arabian Peninsula; its capital being Mukalla. Established in 1858, it eventually became part of the British Protectorate of South Arabia. In the late 1960’s the Sultanate was annexed by the People’s Democratic Republic of (South) Yemen.

Attributed to Colonel Eric Frank Johnson, O.B.E., M.C. Johnson was born on 21 May 1913 and educated at Christ’s Hospital and the City of London College. Had knowledge of Arabic, Chinyanja and Greek languages. Serving in the British Army, he was commanding officer of the 4th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment, 1945 and was commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment and Garrison Commander at Moascar, 1947-48. Served as advisor to the Greek Army, 1948-50; was Commandant of the Trucial Oman Levies, 1953-55; Commander of the Trucial Oman Scouts, 1955-57 and was on special employment with the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, in Dhofar, 1958-60. During 1961-67 he was military adviser of the Eastern Aden Protectorate and Commandant of the Hadhrami Beduin Legion. For his military services he was awarded the M.C. in 1944; M.B.E. and Greek Military Cross in 1950; O.B.E. in 1956 and Qu’aiti D.S.M. in 1962 and again (?) in 1967.

With copied service history; copied Qu’aiti D.S.M. award document (1962); copied permission to wear letter via The Resident, Mukalla, 17 October 1962 and a copied photograph of the recipient wearing Arabic head dress.