| Johnson | Raymond Bazley | | Captain | JOHNSON, RAYMOND BAZLEY, Captain, was born 30 January 1877, son of Captain William Johnson, formerly 6th Dragoons, and Mrs Johnson, of Oddington, Moreton-in-Marsh; and grandson of Sir William Arnott, 1st Baronet. He was gazetted to the 1st Dragoons 4 May 1898, and became Lieutenant 5 July 1899, and subsequently Captain, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. Lieutenant R B Johnson embarked for South Africa, with B Squadron, 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, in SS Jamaican, at Queenstown, on 23 October 1899. You come across him from time to time in "With the lnniskilling Dragoons" (Lieutenant Colonel J Watkins Yardley, CMG, DSO). On 9 February 1900: "At dawn the Boers shelled Slingersfontein Camp for the first time, putting twenty-seven shells into it before our artillery silenced their guns. Simultaneously the enemy in force attacked the windmill posts of Hobkirk's Farm and Bastard's Nek, occupied by the Victorian Mounted Rifles, driving them in, with the loss of one killed and three wounded. Lieutenant Raymond Johnson, with his troop of Inniskilling Dragoons, who were inlying picket, and therefore ready saddled, at once galloped off to seize Hobkirk's Ridge before the enemy could reach it; he was just in time, but was attacked from right front and left rear, being almost surrounded. He dismounted the men, who fought splendidly. One Corporal was killed; another corporal was shot through the sleeve at close range by a young Boer of about fourteen years, whom he had to shoot in self-defence. Another man from one side of a bush poked a Boer in the stomach with the barrel of his unloaded carbine, loaded quickly, and shot the Boer. Five men were cut off, but hid in a kloof and rejoined later. Gallantly the little troop held on to the ridge until Major Dauncey, reinforced by the remainder of the Inniskillings and the South Australians, drove back the enemy, who remained all day sniping from Hobkirk's Farm". On Page 84 of Colonel Yardley's book, we are told how, from Driefontein: "Lieutenant Raymond Johnson, Inniskilling Dragoons, with six men, cleverly found his way, during the night, with General French's Despatches to Lord Roberts at Germiston. He had to elude several parties of the enemy, but returned safely, after a night full of adventures, his mission safely accomplished. He was accompanied by Mr Paterson, the Australian poet and correspondent". On 30 August: "President Kruger was reported to have been at Waterval Onder the previous day, and General French was anxious to obtain news. So B Squadron of the Inniskillings, under Major Dauncey, was ordered to descend to the town and bring away the prisoners we had taken, among whom was a wounded soldier of our own. The enemy, hidden in the rocky kloofs and bush beyond the town, completely commanded the drift and approaches, and also the town itself. The squadron gained the town, galloping over the exposed ground through a hail of bullets. Lieutenant Lawlor, at the head of his troop, was mortally wounded, shot through the body. He was a fine officer and a great loss to the regiment, and died cheery and brave to the last. Major Dauncey himself, charging in advance of his squadron, with Lieutenants Lawlor and Johnson, was grazed by two bullets, but the town was reached. In it none could show without being shot, so cover was taken in the buildings and the prisoners were not brought away till darkness ensured a safe return". On 6 May 1901, Colonel Yardley writes: "Lieutenant Raymond Johnson and Second Lieutenants Dixon and Holland joined at Brakfontein with a draft, but Lieutenant Raymond Johnson left next day to go upon Colonel Rimington's Staff as galloper to his column, which was forming at Standerton". On 23 September, when Colonel Rimington surprised the Boers between the Klip and Bilge Rivers, "Lieutenant R B Johnson, Inniskillings (Provost-Marshal), with his police, came across a small laager of seventeen Boers, who were taken with all their wagons; two were killed and one wounded. It was a smart performance. For their gallant and dashing conduct Lieutenant R B Johnson and Lieutenant F W Moffitt, who was serving under him, were mentioned by Lord Kitchener in Despatches (8 October 1901). On 1 June (1902) a telegram was received from the Commander-in-Chief that peace had been signed on the previous night, 31 May. This news was received by all our troops very quietly. On the breaking-up of the force, 20 June, the Inniskillings marched to Bloeinfontein. A small contingent, under Captain Raymond Johnson, proceeded to England early in June to represent the regiment at His Majesty's Coronation". The record of Captain Johnson's services in the South African War, as given in 'Hart's Army List', is as follows: He served, 1899-1902; took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, March to May 1900, including actions at Vet River and Zand River; in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Reit Vlei and Belfast (26 and 27 August); in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, including actions at Colesberg (1 June to 12 February); served as Adjutant, 6th Dragoons, 1 April to 31 May 1902; again during operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. For his services in the South African War, Captain Johnson was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September and 3 December 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 26 June, 1902]: "Raymond Bazley Johnson, Captain, 6th Dragoons. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was invested by the King 24 October 1902. Captain Johnson retired from the Inniskilling Dragoons. He served in the European War, as Lieutenant-Commander, Royal Naval Armoured Cars, 1914-15; in the Cavalry Reserve, and as Commandant, School of Instruction, 1916-17; in the Royal Air Force, 1918. He married, in 1912, Lilian, youngest daughter of Herman Eckstein (of Johannesburg), and Mrs R P Cobbold, of Welford Park, Newbury, Berkshire, and they had one son and two daughters.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons |
