orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria - Spink

November 22, 2012 - LoNdoN
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The Unique Posthumous Falklands’ Q.G.M.
Group of Four to Colour Sergeant B. Johnston,
Royal Marines, Coxswain of LCU Foxtrot Four, A
Landing Craft Veteran, Who Gallantly Came to
the Aid of the Stricken H.M.S. Antelope, When
One of Two Undetonated Bombs Exploded inside
Her, 23.5.1982; Despite Being Ordered to Stay
Clear of the Ship Because of the Severity of the
Flames and the Presence of a Second Unexploded
Bomb, Johnston Remained Alongside Her Until
His Load Was Complete - Rescuing Over 100 Men
in the Process; Johnston and His Crew Were Killed
in Action, When Foxtrot Four Was Attacked in
Choiseul Sound, By Four Argentinian Aircraft,
8.6.1982
a) Queen’s Gallantry Medal (A C Sergt. Brian
Johnston, R.M. PO23116X.)
b) General Service 1962-2007, two clasps, South
Arabia, Northern Ireland (RM-23116 B.R. Johnston.
Mne. R.M.)
c) South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (ACSGT B R
Johnston PO23116X RM)
d) Naval Long Service & G.C., E.II.R. (Sgt. B R
Johnston PO23116X RM), generally very fine or
better, mounted for wear, with the following related
contemporary documents:
- Parchment Certificate of Service
- Two Letters addressed to Mrs. Johnston with regard
to the award of the Q.G.M. to her husband, from
John Nott M.P., then Secretary of State for Defence,
dated 11.10.1982, and Lieutenant General Sir Richard
Trant, K.C.B., Land Deputy to the Commander in
Chief Fleet, dated 8.10.1982
- Two Letters of condolence, from Colonel H.J.
Flamank, O.B.E., 9.6.1982, and Sir Peter Emery
M.P., dated 30.7.1982
- Letter to Mrs. Johnston regarding Dedication
Service for a Memorial Plaque, from Commander G.S.
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37
Pearson, H.M.S. Fearless, dated 2.8.1982
- Letter to Mrs. Johnston from Michael Heseltine
M.P., then Secretary of State for Defence with regard
to the Falklands Memorial at San Carlos, dated
27.1.1984
- A number of contemporary newspaper cuttings (lot)
£30,000-40,000
Q.G.M. London Gazette 8.10.1982 Acting Colour Sergeant
Brian Johnston, Royal Marines, PO23116X, ‘Colour
Sergeant Johnston, coxswain of LCU F4, was working in the
vicinity of H.M.S. Antelope when her unexploded bomb
detonated, starting an immediate fire which caused her crew,
already at emergency stations, to be ordered to abandon ship.
Without hesitation Colour Sergeant Johnston laid his craft
alongside the Antelope and began to fight the fire and take off
survivors. At approximately 2200Z he was ordered to stay
clear of the ship because of the severity of the fire and the
presence of a seconded unexploded bomb. Colour Sergeant
Johnston remained alongside until his load was complete. In
all LCU F4 rescued over 100 survivors from the Antelope.
On 8 June, LCU F4 was attacked by enemy aircraft in
Choiseul Sound. During this action Colour Sergeant
Johnston and five of his crew were killed.
Colour Sergeant Johnston’s selfless bravery in the face of
extreme danger was in the highest traditions of the Corps.’
Colour Sergeant Brian Ronald Johnston, Q.G.M., born
Belfast, 1948; employed as an Apprentice Tea Buyer prior to
enlisting in the Royal Marines, 25.8.1964; served in 45
Commando, December 1965 - December 1966; served as
part of the Royal Marine complement on H.M.S. Protector
(Antarctic Patrol Vessel), March 1967 - March 1968; Lance
Corporal, September 1973; served with 42 Commando and
Commando Logistic Regiment intermittently between 1973-
1975; Sergeant, August 1978 (L.S. & G.C. 16.12.1980)
;served in H.M.S. Intrepid, and at R.M. Poole, July 1980 -
October 1981; whilst serving at the latter he was part of the
Landing Craft Branch under the command of Ewen Southby-
Tailyour, whose book Reasons in Writing, A Commando’s
View of the Falklands War is dedicated to Johnston and the
crew of Foxtrot 4; whilst at Poole ‘part of my job [Southby-
Tailyour] was to continue the practice, each winter, of the