Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A scarce Great War D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant G. H. Johnston, 1st Canadian Railway Troops, for ‘great gallantry’ during a night bombing raid on the railway at Marchelepot in September 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1081026 Cpl. G. H. Johnston. 1/Can: R.T.); British War and Victory Medals (1081026 Sjt. G. H. Johnston. C.R.T.) mounted as worn, very fine (3) £800-£1,000 --- One of only 25 D.C.M.’s awarded to the Canadian Railway Troops. D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918; citation published 3 September 1919: ‘For great gallantry on the night of 3rd September, 1918, in the performance of his duties as railway conductor on a work train at Marchelepot. By his courage and devotion to duty and his determination under enemy fire and bombing, to accomplish the task assigned him, although on duty for nineteen hours continuously, he placed a train load of steel in the siding at Marchelepot ready for work in the morning, enabling the track to reach La Chapellette and ready for ambulance and other supply trains by the night of 9th September. His work has been most efficient always.’ George Henry Johnston was born in Port Hope, Ontario, on 2 May 1881. He attested for the Canadian forces at Toronto on 12 May 1916, for the duration of the war. He was then married and living with his wife and two children in Dundas Street, Toronto, a railway yardman by trade. It was noticed during his medical examination that parts of three of his fingers were missing. He embarked for England at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 13 September 1916, landing at Liverpool on 23 September. Whilst in camp in England he was appointed acting Corporal in the 1st Construction Battalion. He landed in France at Le Havre on 26 October 1916, where, in February 1917, the designation of his unit was changed to the 1st Battalion, Canadian Railway Troops. He was confirmed as Corporal on 13 July 1917, and, fter the war’s end was promoted to Sergeant on 3 February 1919, returning to Canada where he received his discharge upon demobilization at Toronto on 18 March 1919. Sold with copied record of service and other research including extracts from 1/C.R.T. War Diary.