Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The mounted group of thirteen miniature dress medals attributed to Lieutenant-General D. G. Johnson, V.C., C.B., D.S.O., M.C., South Wales Borderers, onetime attached Royal Sussex Regiment, comprising: Victoria Cross; Order of the Bath (Military), silver-gilt; Distinguished Service Order, with Second Award Bar, silver-gilt, lacking reverse centre-piece; Military Cross, G.V.R.; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, the earlier awards polished, good fine, the remainder generally very fine or better (13) £800-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Dress Miniature V.C. Groups from the Collection of the Late David Harvey.

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Ex Spink, 10 May 2002 (Lot 667).

Sold with the recipient’s Infantry Officer’s 1897 Pattern Sword, by Hamburger, Rogers & Co., the regulation blade with foliate decoration and incorporating a V.R. cypher, complete with brown leather scabbard.

Dudley Graham Johnson was born in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire in February 1884. Educated at Bradfield College, he joined the Militia (3rd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment) in 1901 and the Regular Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers in July 1903. The outbreak of hostilities found him with the 2nd Battalion in China, where he won a D.S.O. for his services at Tsingtau, following which he was posted to Gallipoli, where he was wounded on 25 April 1915. But it was back on the Western Front that he won his M.C. - and was again wounded - prior to winning the V.C. while serving as C.O., attached 2nd Battalion, the Royal Sussex Regiment:

‘For most conspicuous bravery and leadership during the forcing of the Sambre Canal on 4 November 1918. The 2nd Infantry Brigade, of which the 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment formed part, was ordered to cross by the lock south of Catillon. The position was strong, and before the bridge could be thrown a steep bank leading up to the lock and a waterway about 100 yards short of the canal had to be crossed. The assaulting platoons and bridging parties, R.E., on their arrival at the waterway were thrown into confusion by a heavy barrage and machine-gun fire, and heavy casualties were caused. At this moment Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson arrived, and realizing the situation, at once collected the men to man the bridges and assist the Royal Engineers, and personally led the assault. In spite of his efforts heavy enemy fire again broke up the assaulting and bridging parties. Without any hesitation, he again re-organised the platoons and bridging parties and led them to the lock, this time succeeding in effecting a crossing, after which all went well. During all this time Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson was under a very heavy fire, which, though it nearly decimated the assaulting columns, left him untouched. His conduct was a fine example of great valour, coolness and intrepidity, which, added to his splendid leadership and the offensive spirit that he inspired in his Battalion, were entirely responsible for the successful crossing’ (London Gazette 6 January 1919 refers).

Johnson remained in the Regular Army between the Wars and was appointed C.O. of 4th Division in 1938 and G.O.C. Aldershot in 1940. He was also Colonel of the South Wales Borderers from 1944-49. The General died at Fleet, Hampshire in December 1975.