Auction Catalogue

21 September 2007

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 736

.

21 September 2007

Estimate: £160–£200

Three: Sub Lieutenant H. V. S. Johnson, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

1914-15 Star (S. Lt., R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals (S. Lt., R.N.V.R.); Silver War Badge (RN24591) extremely fine (4) £160-200

Harold Victor Sladen Johnson was born on 5 August 1886. He was commissioned a Temporary Sub Lieutenant in the R.N.V.R. on 26 June 1915, at the time giving his father’s address as ‘15 Kilmorie Road, Forest Hill, London’. Johnson served in the 3rd Reserve Battalion Royal Naval Division from 25 September 1915. On 4 December 1915 he embarked on H.M.T. Northland for Malta; from there on 15 December 1915 he embarked on H.M.T. Shropshire for Egypt, arriving at Alexandria on 18 December. On 26 December he embarked on H.M.T. Lake Michigan for Lemnos, arriving there on 30 December and was posted to the Nelson Battalion, R.N. Division, M.E.F. as a Bombing Officer. Departing Mudros on 16 May 1916, he was invalided back to England on 29 September 1916, suffering from a diseased right ankle. After treatment in various hospitals his appointment to the R.N. Division was terminated on 30 April 1917 and he was transferred to H.M.S. Vivid, thence Victory for special service at Devonport. Unable to take up his postings because of his continued disability, and in and out of various hospitals, he was finally declared permanently unfit for further service, and on 8 January 1918 his Temporary Commission was terminated. Sold with copied service papers and a photocopied photograph of R.N. Division Officers at Crystal Palace, including Johnson.