Henry James Johnson

Henry James Johnson
Nickname Jim
Born 21 December 1924(1924-12-21)
Died 20 July 2008(2008-07-20) (aged 83)
Allegiance  United Kingdom
Service/branch Special Air Service, British Army
Years of service 1939–1963
Rank Colonel
Battles/wars Second World War
Awards Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Henry James "Jim" Johnson (1924–2008) was a Colonel in the British Army, Officer of the Order of the British Empire and holder of the Territorial Decoration. He commanded the 21 SAS (TA), after which he led Britain's clandestine war against Egyptian forces in Yemen during the mid-1960s. After that he set up Britain's first post-war private military company.

Early life

Johnson was born December 21, 1924 then educated at Westminster School and was there at the same time as Tony Benn. He joined the British Army and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Welsh Guards.[1]

After The War

Johnson relinquished his military commission in order to become a TA SAS trooper.[2] He was then promoted back to Lt.[3] He then received a series of promotions, which eventually led to the rank of Colonel.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

He received the Order of the British Empire[12] for his services to the TA. Johnson died July 20, 2008.

References

  1. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36298. p. 5583. 21 December 1943. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  2. ^ London Gazette: no. 38372. p. 4382. 3 August 1948. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  3. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 38510. p. 200. 11 January 1949. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  4. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 39034. p. 4963. 6 October 1950. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  5. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 39413. p. 6645. 18 December 1951. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  6. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 39907. p. 3789. 7 July 1953. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  7. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 40259. p. 4875. 20 August 1954. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  8. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 40506. p. 3379. 7 June 1955. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  9. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 41931. p. 542. 15 January 1960. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  10. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 42959. p. 3027. 2 April 1963. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  11. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 43043. p. 5633. 28 June 1966. Retrieved 14 August 2008.
  12. ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 42870. p. 6. 28 December 1962. Retrieved 14 August 2008.