Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Sudan D.C.M. pair awarded to Lance-Corporal W. J. Johnstone, 8th Railway Company, Royal Engineers, for the Defence of Ambigol Wells 3rd-4th December 1885

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (140451 L.Cpl., 8/Rly. Coy. R.E.) additionally inscribed on the edge ‘Ambigol Wells. Sudan’; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (14045 L.Cpl., 8/Rly. Coy. R.E.) additionally inscribed on the edge ‘Egypt 84 & 5’, both medals officially impressed later issues, pitting from star, therefore nearly very fine (2) £400-500

D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen on 18 November 1886. Awarded for the defence of Ambigol Wells, 3rd-4th December 1885.

The post at Ambigol Wells, north of Akasha, was attacked by 700 dervishes, shouting to Captain J. A. Ferrier, R.E., and his little garrison of 50 Berkshires, ‘Railway finish. Telegraph finish. You finish.’ For three days, Ferier made a most gallant defence, and drove his assailants away before the relieving forces arrived on December 4th, 1885. Lance-Corporal W. J. Johnstone was awarded the D.C.M. for obtaining ammunition from a goods van while under attack. He was issued with official duplicates of the D.C.M. and Egypt Medal on 13 June 1919. For his part in the action at Ginnis, later the same month, Captain Ferrier was awarded one of the very first D.S.O’s upon the founding of the Order the following year.