Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Paymaster Lieutenant J. G. Johnson, H.M.S. Lion, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (Asst. Payr. J. G. Johnson, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Payr. Lt. J. G. Johnson. R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style for display, the last on incorrect riband, very fine and better (6) £140-£180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals for the Battle of Jutland.

View
Collection

The battle cruiser H.M.S. Lion was launched on 6 August 1910 and was Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty’s fleet flagship of the Battle Cruiser Fleet at the Battle of Jutland. She was hit a total of 14 times during the battle, including sustaining near-catastrophic damage to Q-turret, and suffered 99 dead and 51 wounded. Although mortally wounded, Major Francis Harvey, Royal Marines, the Q-turret gun commander, ordered the magazine and turret to be flooded, which although costing him his life saved the magazine from exploding, which would undoubtedly have sunk the ship; for his bravery and self sacrifice he was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

James Gerald Johnson was born on 25 August 1891 and joined the Royal Navy as a Clerk on 13 November 1909. Promoted to Assistant Paymaster on 15 October 1912, he served during the Great War in H.M.S. Lion from the outbreak of War to 1 December 1916, and was advanced Paymaster Lieutenant on 15 March 1920.