Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An inter-war colonial service O.B.E. group of three awarded to J. R. Johnston, a District Officer in Taganyika Territory, late Lieutenant, Black Watch and King’s African Rifles

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.) polished, generally very fine (3) £150-200

O.B.E. London Gazette 23 June 1936.

John Rooke Johnston was born in 1898 and was educated at St. Ninians, Moffat and at St. Bees School, prior to attending Sandhurst. Commissioned into the Black Watch as a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1917, he saw action in France and Flanders before the end of hostilities, and was seconded to the 2/1st King’s African Rifles as a Lieutenant in December 1920. Afterwards joining the Colonial Service, Johnston was appointed an Administrative Officer in Taganyika Territory in September 1923. He was advanced to District Officer in 1934, awarded his O.B.E. for like services in June 1936, and retired as a Provincial Commissioner. He died back home, in Gloucestershire, in September 1984.