Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Lieutenant James Johnston, 40th Foot and 5th Portuguese Infantry, later a Major in the 99th Foot, who was wounded severely at the storming of Monte Video in 1807, and again severely at Albuhera in 1811, and distinguished himself at Vittoria

Military General Service 1793-1814, 9 clasps, Roleia, Vimiera, Talavera, Albuhera, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle (J. Johnston, Lieut. 40th Foot & 5th Portse. Infy.) last clasp slightly creased, light marks overall, otherwise good very fine £3500-4500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Napoleonic War Medals.

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Provenance: Sotheby, March 1983 and July 1991.


James Johnston was born in 1788, son of James Johnston, of Eccles, Berwickshire. He was appointed an Ensign in the 40th Foot in August 1805, and promoted to Lieutenant, by purchase in August 1806. He accompanied the 1st Battalion to South America in September 1806, where he was present and engaged at the siege of Monte Video, being very severely wounded in the storming of the breach on 3 February 1807. After being eight months confined to his bed and room, he was obliged to return to England before his regiment left South America. When it embarked at Cork in July 1808, for the Peninsula, he again joined, although in a very infirm state of health, and unable to perform an ordinary march on foot, from the effects of his wound.

On his disembarkation in Portugal in August 1808, from the indulgence of his Commanding Officer, he was allowed to ride, which enabled him to be present at the battles of Roleia, Vimiera and Talavera. Appointed Captain in the Portuguese Service on 7 May 1810, he was attached to the 5th Regiment of Infantry, then in a state of disorganisation. By the following December it was in a condition to take to the field, and he was present with it during the operations on the left bank of the Tagus, as also at Campo Mayor, Olivença, the first siege of Badajoz and the battle of Albuhera, where he was again severely wounded.

From December 1811 Johnston was appointed Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Manley Power and was present with him at the capture of Badajoz, attack on Pollos, in July 1812, the battle of Salamanca, capture of Madrid, battle of Vittoria, where he was promoted to the rank of Major in the Portuguese Army, for distinguished conduct on that occasion; at the blockade of Pampluna, battles of the Pyrenees, and Nivelle, in November 1813, and in the attack near Arrounte, on the Bayonne Road, a few days after. From these services his health became so much impaired, that he was obliged to return to England in December 1813, and in March 1814, he rejoined the army. By regular seniority, he obtained his company in the 40th Foot in February 1814, which he gave up to remain in the Portuguese Army, and in September 1817, was promoted to a brevet Majority, it being considered as an equivalent for what he had given up. He was gazetted for three Commander’s medals by the King of Portugal, for Vittoria, Pyrenees and Nivelle, in addition to the Cross for three campaigns. He was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 24th Portuguese Infantry in October 1818, and was subsequently made a Knight of the Order of the Tower and Sword.

On his return from Portugal in 1825 he became a Major in the 99th Foot, which regiment he commanded in Mauritius. The regiment returned to Cork in 1837, much reduced through deaths and discharges, and in 1839 Johnston sold his commission and retired. He subsequently became a Lieutenant-Colonel and died at Mount Lodge, Portobello, Edinburgh, on 12 November 1861, aged 63.