Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War raiding party ‘Winter Operations 1914-15’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant W. Johnson, South Staffordshire Regiment, for his conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy trenches at Givenchy, 20 February 1915. When an enemy shell killed or wounded practically the whole storming party, including both officers, Johnson seized the initiative, rallied the remaining survivors and, taking command, led them forward into the German trench

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7352 L. Cpl. W. Johnson. 2/S. Staff: Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (7352 Pte. W. Johnson. 2/S. Staff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7352 A. Sjt. W. Johnson. S. Staff. R.) edge bruise to first, nearly very fine (4) £1000-1400

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 April 1915:
'For conspicuous gallantry at Givenchy on 20th February, 1915. After his Officers had been wounded, he led the party of the right column with gallantry and skill in the attack into the German trench.'

William Johnson was born at Birmingham in 1890, and attested for service with the South Staffordshire Regiment on 18 April 1905. Posted to the 2nd Battalion he served with the Regiment at home before transferring to the Army Reserve in 1912. Recalled to the Colours on the outbreak of the Great War, he proceeded to France as part of a draft for the 2nd Battalion in early November 1914, arriving on the Western Front on 7 November 1914.
Johnson was awarded his Distinguished Conduct Medal for his conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy trenches at Givenchy on 20 February 1915, when an enemy shell killed or wounded practically the whole storming party, including both officers. Quickly seizing the initiative, Johnson rallied the remaining survivors and taking command, led them forward into the German trench.
The History of the South Staffordshire Regiment by J. P. Jones describes the action as follows:
‘In front of the left section of the line held by the 2nd South Staffords, occupied by ‘A’ Company, on February 20th, it was proposed to take a German trench opposite the ‘Duck’s Bill’ (Givenchy section), with the object of finding out if the enemy was mining up to our front, and if so to destroy it.
Volunteers from ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies, 2nd South Staffords, of 20 men each, under 2nd Lieut. L. T. Despicht and 2nd Lieut. J. St. C. G. Harris, with other parties of the 1st Royal Berks and 9th Highland Light Infantry formed the storming and demolition parties, the South Staffords forming the right column, while the Royal Berks formed the left column of assault. At 5 p.m. the artillery bombardment of the German trench began, breaching the wire and smashing up portions of the enemy’s trench, while covering fire by the troops on both flanks was opened, thus preventing the enemy from firing on the attacking parties.
At 5.30 p.m., the storming parties left their trenches. The South Staffords led by 2nd Lieut. L. T. Despicht, had no sooner started than they were partially buried by the explosion of a large shell, and nearly the whole of the storming party was knocked down and injured. 2nd Lieut. J. St. C. G. Harris, seeing the confusion, led his supports forward and was seriously wounded at the enemy’s trench. 2nd Lieut. Despicht, although wounded, behaved extraordinarily well, crawling up to the German parapet and cheering on the men. About 5 or 6 Germans were seen who retired before the South Stafford attack. No trace of mining was discovered by the R. E. Parties, and the whole party retired. Unfortunately 2nd Lieut. J. St. C. G. Harris, who was wounded near the German trench, fell into it, and was never recovered.
The left column, led by Lieut. Burney, and 20 men of the 1st Royal Berks, were equally successful in getting into the German trenches, and retired unmolested. The South Staffords casualty list for this raid was 2nd Lieut. J. St. C. G. Harris and one other rank killed, 2nd Lieut. Despicht and four other ranks wounded. The operation was quite satisfactory and was over by 5.50 p.m.’

Severely wounded, Johnson convalesced in Manchester Hospital, and was discharged to pension on transfer to Class 'P' Army Reserve on 2 December 1916. He was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 38205, which was authorised on 10 March 1917. The Class 'P' Army Reserve consisted of men whose services were deemed to be of more value to the country in civilian employment than in the Armed Forces, and if discharged, would be eligible for pension on account of disability or length of service.