Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 601

Five: Fusilier J. Johnson, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, late Private in the Sherwood Foresters, taken prisoner at Tobruk and who escaped from a P.O.W. camp in Italy

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (4976269 Fus., R.N.F.) correction to service number; U.N. Korea 1950-54, modern issue, very fine (5)

Jasper Johnson was born on 19 February 1920 in Bakewell, Derbyshire, the son of Samuel and Margaret Johnson. While working as a lorry driver's mate, he enlisted at Derby into the Sherwood Foresters on 14 January 1939. He joined the 1 Battalion in Palestine on 3 August 1939.

The 1st Battalion moved to reinforce the Garrison of Cyprus in June 1940, where they suffered their first war casualties in an air raid before moving to Egypt early in 1942. Converted to a motorized role while there they joined the 201 Guards Brigade. Unfortunately, after a sharp engagement in the Knightsbridge Box, the Battalion was ordered to surrender when the Garrison in Tobruk capitulated.

Johnson attempted to escape but was captured by a German patrol as he tried to break through the perimeter. He was sent to three different P.O.W. camps in Italy but on 9 September 1943 the Sergeant in charge of Campo 63 allowed everyone to escape. Johnson had been working on a farm and had made friends with the local farm workers and as such they guided him to Taranto Railway Station. There he took a train to Tirana and began to walk over the mountains to Switzerland. He met an Italian woman who was also trying to escape and she guided him across the border. After a night on the mountain they arrived safely in Switzerland. Johnson was eventually repatriated and allowed to return home on 22 October 1944.

Marrying Muriel Beverley in Sheffield on 12 June 1945 and was 'demobbed' on 27 July 1946 as a Class Z Reservist. In 1950 he was recalled to the Army and posted to the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Landing in Korea on 10 October 1950 the regiment fought at Sibyon-ni, Kan-don, the Imjin River and finally at the Battle for Point 217. During their tour in Korea they lost 93 killed, 279 wounded and 45 prisoners. Johnson survived and left Korea on Sunday 29 October with the regiment on H.M.T. Empire Pride, and was released for the second time as a Class Z Reservist on 23 November 1951. He died in Sheffield in December 1984 aged 64; sold together with copied P.O.W. report papers.

Further entitled to a General Service Medal with clasp for Palestine.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£230

Starting price
£210