Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Quartermaster Sergeant R. S. Johnson, Devonshire Regiment

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (2510. Sergt. R. S. Johnson, 2/11th Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (357. Cr. Sergt. R. S. Johnson. Devon Rgt.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (Q.M. Sjt: (O.R.S.) R. J. Johnson. Devon: R.) the first with edge bruising and light contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine (3) £400-460

Provenance: Glendining’s, July 1977.

M.S.M. Army Order 18 of 1918, with Annuity of £10.

Richard Stephen Johnson was born in the Parish of St John’s, Westminster, London, in about June 1853, and enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment at Westminster on 9 May 1872, a French polisher by trade, aged 18. Promoted to Corporal in May 1878 and to Sergeant in March 1879, he served in southern Afghanistan from July 1880 to May 1881. He re-engaged at Jullundur on 21 January 1882, and transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Permanent Staff, on 20 June 1884, having returned home from the East Indies. Promoted to Colour-Sergeant in November 1888, he transferred to the establishment of the Depot in August 1890 as Colour-Sergeant and Orderly Room Sergeant, and was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant and Orderly Room Sergeant in November 1891. He was discharged on 9 May 1893, and died in 1921.