Major General Dudley Graham Johnson VC CB DSO* MC
(1884 – 1975)
8th September 2018. Very close to the Centenary of the award of the Victoria Cross to the then Lt Col Johnson, we unveiled a commemorative road sign to recognise the long-time Church Crookham resident, Major General Dudley Johnson VC CB DSO* MC (1884 – 1975).
Dudley Johnson served with the Wiltshire Regiment in the Second Boer War. He transferred to the South Wales Borderers upon graduating from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in 1903. He was 34 years old, and an acting lieutenant colonel commanding 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment during the First World War when his brave action at the Sambre Canal, France took place for which he was awarded the VC.
Citation for Victoria Cross - Lt Col D G Johnson, Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment.
"On 4 November 1918 at Sambre Canal, France, the 2nd Infantry Brigade, of which the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Sussex Regiment formed part, was ordered to cross by the lock south of Catillon. The position was strong and the assaulting and bridging parties were halted on arrival at the waterway 100 yards from the canal by a heavy barrage. At this point Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson arrived and personally led an assault but heavy fire again broke up the attack. He reorganized the assaulting and bridging parties and this time effected a crossing but the success of this dangerous operation was entirely due to his splendid leadership."
Dudley Johnson became General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 4th Division from 1938 to 1940 and was evacuated with his men from Dunkirk in June 1940. Later in 1940, he was appointed GOC Aldershot Command before becoming Inspector of Infantry in 1941. He retired to Church Crookham in 1944.
Commanders of the British Expeditionary Force in France 1939-1940. L-R Maj Gen Bernard Montgomery, GOC 3rd Division, Lt Gen Sir Alan Brooke, GOC 11 Corps and Maj Gen D G Johnson, GOC 4th Division. (Photo – IWM)
Maj Gen Johnson was post-war Chairman of Fleet Urban District Council (1948-50), County President and Branch President of the Royal British Legion, Church Warden of Christ Church, Church Crookham and many other civic posts. He is buried in the churchyard of Christ Church with his wife Marjorie, who died in 1950. Johnson Way and Dudley Court in Church Crookham were named after him.
For the sign unveiling we were pleased to welcome the general’s grandson, Lt Col (Ret’d) Andrew Larpent OBE and granddaughter, Mrs Marianne West. The sign was unveiled by Andrew Larpent and Chairman of Hart District Council, Cllr Wendy Makepeace-Brown.
The general’s family and the Branch would like to thank Hart District Council for the manufacture and installation of the signs at Johnson Way, Church Crookham.
We hope the many people who pass by the signs at both ends of Johnson Way will stop and read about this brave soldier, public servant and distiguished gentleman who once lived where they do today and is buried nearby.
Unveiling the sign. L to R - Grandson of Maj Gen Dudley Johnson, Lt Col (Ret’d) Andrew Larpent and Chairman of Hart District, Cllr Wendy Makepeace-Brown (Photo - Micheal Carrington, AFFCC)
Commemorating Maj Gen D G Johnson VC. L to R - Branch Chairman Air Cdre (Ret’d) Bill Tyack, grandson Lt Col (Ret’d) Andrew Larpent, granddaugher Marianne West, Chairman of Hart District, Cllr Wendy Makepeace-Brown and Standard Bearer, Tim Burt (Photo - Micheal Carrington, AFFCC)
