Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘V.C. action’ casualty group of three awarded to Private J. Johnston, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders, killed in action at Aubers Ridge, 9 May 1915

1914 Star (1579 Pte. J. Johnston. 2/R. Highrs); British War and Victory Medals (1579 Pte. J. Johnston. R. Highrs.) good very fine (3) £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 42nd Highlanders and 73rd Foot (Black Watch).

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John Johnston was born in Dundee, his father being a tinsmith of the same name. His younger brother Hugh was killed in action whilst serving with the 1/5th Battalion, Royal Highlanders, 28 December 1914.

John Johnston served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders in the French theatre of war from 12 October 1914. He was wounded in action, 24 November 1914, and killed in action 9 May 1915. On the latter date the Battalion were engaged during the Battle of Aubers Ridge, the Regimental History gives the following:

‘The Battalion had a particularly trying part to play on May 9th, as it had to relieve in the front line, in daylight and under continuous shell fire, a unit which with heavy loss had failed to advance; and it had to renew the attack against an enemy, not only unshaken by the previous attack, but obviously reinforced and ready to meet a second attempt. But the attempt was made with a determination and courage worthy of the Regiment...

About noon the Battalion received orders to relieve the 2nd Gurkhas on the right of the Dehra Dun Brigade.... The Battalion was formed for attack in two lines... the assault was timed for 4pm. By about 3.55pm the front lines issued from the trenches and lay down awaiting the signal to charge. Colonel Harvey remained on the right, and ordered Major Wauchope to watch and report progress on the left of our line. Large numbers of Germans could be seen issuing from communication trenches and filing along the front, unaffected by our very weak bombardment.

The attack was met by a very accurate and extremely heavy rifle and machine-gun fire from the moment it began. A wide stream full of water and mud ran across No Man’s Land (which was about 200 yards wide), on the right within a few yards of our trench, on the left rather nearer the German than the British line. Some thirty bridges were supposed to have been constructed on our front, but few were existing when the Battalion made its attack. The greater number of the casualties fell close to or into this obstacle....

In the brief period the assault lasted the losses of the Battalion were: killed, 3 officers and 69 other ranks; wounded, 5 officers and 157 other ranks; missing (practically all killed close to the German trenches) 36 other ranks; total, 270 out of 450 engaged, or 60 per cent. The wounded and unwounded lay out in the open under fire till darkness enabled them to regain the trenches.’

Lance Corporal David Findlay of the 2nd Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry during the above attack, whilst Corporal Ripley of the 1st Battalion was also awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on the same day a little further to the south.

Both Johnston brothers are commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France.