Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 31


A Second War M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Captain G. E. Johnson, Mercantile Marine, late Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve, who was severely injured during the Great War during a Germany Torpedo Boat Raid in the English Channel


The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. G. E. Johnson. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. E. Johnson. R.N.R.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914 -1917, with bronze palm emblem on riband, emblem detached from riband on last, otherwise nearly extremely fine (8) £300-£400


M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1942: Captain George Edmund Johnson, Master, Merchant Navy.


French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 2 November 1917: Lieut. George E. Johnson, R.N.R.: ‘For distinguished services rendered during the War.’


The official French citation states: ‘Lieutenant George Edmund Johnson, R.N.R., H.M. Drifter Paramount, behaved bravely as a Drifter commander during a raid by German destroyers in the English Channel on the night of 17-18 March 1917. He also captured off the Goodwins, in a strong breeze and a heavy sea, the sailboat Virgin del Soprocco, with 19 Germans on board.’


George Edmund Johnson was born in Hull, Yorkshire, on 7 April 1882, and received his Master’s Certificate on 31 October 1908. He was commissioned temporary Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 27 November 1914, and served during the Great War in command of the armed Drifters Acceptable from 11 December 1914, and Paramount from 29 April 1916. For his courage while commanding his Drifter on the occasion of the Channel raid by German Torpedo Boat Destroyers on the night of 17-18 March 1917 he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre- the official Admiralty report on the action states ‘The Drifter Paramount was hit in several places, and I regret to say the Skipper and two hands were severely injured.’


Johnson subsequently served during the Second World War in the Mercantile Marine as captain of the S.S. Mistley, and was created a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1942 New Year’s Honours’ List.


Sold with the original Bestowal Document for the French Croix de Guerre, this torn in the top left hand corner; and a large quantity of copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient and of the Mistley.


32


A Second War ‘Burma operations’ M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Captain the Reverend T. Walters, Indian Ecclesiastical Establishment, attached HQ 14 Indian Division, who was five times Mentioned in Despatches


The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Indian Independence Medal 1947 (IEE -160170 Rev. T. Walters, I.E.E.), mounted as worn, generally very fine or better (7)


£400-£500


M.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1944: ‘For devotion to duty of a very high order. Both in action in Arrakan and in the present location of the 14 Indian Division he has been untiring in his work in connection with the spiritual and moral welfare of the Division. He has sympathy and commands a very high measure of respect throughout the Division. His sermons are consistently very good indeed and he fills his church to capacity at all voluntary services. His work has had a very marked effect on the morale of this Division and has been of very great value to the Divisional Commander.’


Thomas Walters was born in August 1916 at Merthyr Tydfil and served during the Second World War as a Chaplain to the Forces in both the Middle East and Burma, being five times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 8 July 1941, 30 December 1941, 10 January 1946, 9 May 1946, and 19 September 1946).


Post-War Walters is shown listed in a passenger list, May 1957, as travelling to South Africa as a Missionary with his wife and three children. Their home address was given as 10 Preston Avenue, Newport.


33


A post-War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Chief Superintendent D. Ritchie, Liverpool City Police


The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; British War and Victory Medals (S-17265 Pte. D. Ritchie. A. & S.H.); Defence Medal; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Police L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (Ch. Supt. David Ritchie) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s Liverpool City Police Good Service Medal, silver, 1 clasp, Service Over 30 Years, the reverse engraved ‘Presented by Watch Committee to Supt. D. Ritchie 4-2-45’, with top silver riband bar; Liverpool City Police Good Service Medal, bronze, the edge engraved ‘Supt. David Ritchie.’, and the reverse engraved ‘Presented by Watch Committee 4th Feb: 1940’, with top bronze riband bar; two Regimental Prize Medals, silver, engraved ‘17265 Sgt. D. Ritchie A Coy. Tug-of-War 10th (S.) Bn. A.S. Hrs. July 1919’ and ‘Sgt. D. Ritchie 34th Div. Germany 1919.’; and the recipient’s Royal Life Saving Society Swimming Proficiency Medal, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘D Ritchie. Oct. 1923’, generally very fine and better (12) £340-£380


M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1953: ‘David Ritchie, Esq., Chief Superintendent, Liverpool City Police Force.’


David Ritchie was born in Greenfield, Dumfriesshire, on 27 February 1896 and after leaving school was employed as a ploughman. He attested for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on 18 August 1916, and served with the 10th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He was discharged on 5 November 1919, and joined the Liverpool City Police on 4 February 1920.


Ritchie was awarded half a crown by the Watch Committee as a reward for services at a fire on 4 November 1924, and was promoted Sergeant on 23 November 1925, Inspector on 16 November 1934, Chief Inspector on 26 May 1936, and Superintendent on 28 March 1939. For his services during the Second World War he was awarded the Defence Medal, and was promoted Chief Superintendent on 18 January 1949. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1953 New Year’s Honours’ List, and retired on 1 May 1956, after 36 years’ service. He died in Liverpool on 9 March 1977.


Sold with copied research including a group photographic image of the recipient. www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)


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