The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 1st Regiment, South African Infantry

Four: Private A. Johnson, 1st Regiment, South African Infantry, who served with local forces during the Siege of Kimberley from October 1899 to February 1900, and was later killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on 18 July 1916

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Kimberley (Pte. A. Johnson. Kimberley Town Gd:); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. A. Johnson. 1st. S.A.I.); Mayor of Kimberley’s Star 1899-1900, reverse hallmark with date letter ‘a’, unnamed as issued, last lacking integral top riband bar, glue residue to reverse of all, very fine and better (4) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 1st Regiment, South African Infantry.

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Arthur Johnson, an engine driver, was born in Bournemouth in 1875, the husband of Mrs. Catherine Lydia Johnson of 43 Bulfontein Road, Kimberley, South Africa. He served during the Boer War and was present at the Siege of Kimberley when large numbers of Boer forces from the Orange Free State besieged the diamond mining town. Despite being ill-prepared at first, the local defenders organised an energetic and effective improvised defence which prevented the town from being taken; the British lost 42 killed and 135 wounded from a strength of approximately 1600 men.

The outbreak of the Great War saw Johnson return to service, initially spending 10 months in German South West Africa. He subsequently attested for the 1st South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 2 September 1915 and disembarked at Alexandria per Saxonia on 29 December 1915. Admitted to hospital at Sidi Barrani suffering from a septic leg ulcer, he later embarked aboard Ivernia for France on 20 May 1916. Recorded as missing in action on 18 July 1916, his service record states ‘accepted as dead’ on 24 March 1917.

Sold with copied roll entry confirming service with the Kimberley Town Guard and Great War service record.