Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Ashantee War medal to Lieutenant W. A. Johnston, 23rd Foot, who died at sea from the effects of the campaign

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (Lieut: W. A. Johnston. 2nd 23rd Foot. 1873-4) nearly extremely fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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William Anderson Johnston was born on 14 September 1847 and educated at Cheltenham College. He purchased a commission as Ensign in the 23rd Foot on 27 January 1866, became Lieutenant on 3 May 1871, and was appointed Instructor of Musketry on 29 July 1873. He embarked aboard H.M.S. Tamar for the Gold Coast with the 2nd Battalion on 21 November 1873, but was invalided from the effects of the climate and died on board H.M.S. Victor Emmanuel. He was buried at sea on 28 February 1874. His name, together with Surgeon E. T. McCarthy and six other ranks, is recorded on a memorial in the regimental chapel in Wrexham. Sold with copied research.