- SURNAME
Johnson
- FORENAME
Frederick Elliott
- UNIT
Royal Marines (42 Commando)
- RANK
Lieutenant
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Military Cross
- PLACE
Malaya, May 1951
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
London Gazette 39328, 7th September 1951, Page 4714
CITATION:
Military Cross : During the early morning of 1 May 1951, Lieutenant Johnson was in command of three patrols which were searching an area of jungle and overgrown rubber for bandits near Pusing. Apart from himself and a signaller there were only three other men - a total of five in the HQ party which he was with. About 0815 hrs Lieutenant Johnson and one man moved about 200 yards from his HQ on a local reconnaissance. On starting to return he saw two bandits on the track who opened fire. These two were later joined by others. Firing as he went, he moved round the enemy's flank and rejoined his HQ. He gave orders to attack and then led his small HQ party straight at the enemy position killing one and wounding and capturing another.
After reinforcements had arrived, attracted by the firing, he directed the operations of the patrols, to such effect that altogether in the next hour six bandits were killed and 2 wounded bandits were captured.
The next day, after a long and tiring march in difficult country, while trying to regain contact with the bandits, Lieutenant Johnson led a patrol up a precipitous track in thick jungle. Suddenly his patrol was ambushed by an unknown number of bandits from concealed position above them. He at once returned the fire and organised a flanking move which he led personally. The bandits then broke off action and withdrew, vigorously pursued by Lieutenant Johnson and his party until contact was lost in the very thick jungle.
When he was re-organising his men, he asked if any-body was wounded. When he received no reply, he said "I am for one". He then disclosed that he had been shot high up in the chest. He refused to be evacuated and insisted on following the enemy until his sergeant realised how seriously he had been wounded. The bullet pierced his lung.
During these two actions Lieutenant Johnson showed a coolness under fire and a disregard of personal safety which inspired all battle weary men who were nearby with a will to close with the enemy. Two serious situations which had developed in a flash and might easily have caused serious assalties were saved by Lieutenant Johnson's prompt action and inspiring leadership.
Place : Perak, Malaya
Date of Action : 1st and 2nd May 1951
How Employed : Section Commander
After reinforcements had arrived, attracted by the firing, he directed the operations of the patrols, to such effect that altogether in the next hour six bandits were killed and 2 wounded bandits were captured.
The next day, after a long and tiring march in difficult country, while trying to regain contact with the bandits, Lieutenant Johnson led a patrol up a precipitous track in thick jungle. Suddenly his patrol was ambushed by an unknown number of bandits from concealed position above them. He at once returned the fire and organised a flanking move which he led personally. The bandits then broke off action and withdrew, vigorously pursued by Lieutenant Johnson and his party until contact was lost in the very thick jungle.
When he was re-organising his men, he asked if any-body was wounded. When he received no reply, he said "I am for one". He then disclosed that he had been shot high up in the chest. He refused to be evacuated and insisted on following the enemy until his sergeant realised how seriously he had been wounded. The bullet pierced his lung.
During these two actions Lieutenant Johnson showed a coolness under fire and a disregard of personal safety which inspired all battle weary men who were nearby with a will to close with the enemy. Two serious situations which had developed in a flash and might easily have caused serious assalties were saved by Lieutenant Johnson's prompt action and inspiring leadership.
Place : Perak, Malaya
Date of Action : 1st and 2nd May 1951
How Employed : Section Commander
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39328/page/4714https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7621935
