Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War ‘North West Europe’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant L. M. Johnstone, 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), a regimental stalwart of the North West Europe campaign - ‘his courage is a bye-word’. He distinguished himself from the Normandy Landings in June 1944 through to the Crossing of the Rhine in March 1945 - whether it be by capturing positions with the use of a flame thrower, or defending positions by climbing on a roof in the full view of the enemy in order to despatch a bazooka party

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (2766113 Sjt. L. M. Johnstone. Black Watch.) polished; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, nearly very fine (5) £2,600-£3,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 24 January 1946.

The original recommendation states: ‘Throughout the campaign in N.W. Europe, since early June 1944, this NCO has either led a Section or acted as Platoon Sgt, on occasion commanding a Platoon. Throughout he has displayed absolutely outstanding courage and leadership. In Holland, in October, after the crossing of a river, he personally led an assault on an enemy post and killed the occupants, and later used an abandoned Wasp flame thrower with great effect. At Laroche in January he personally led an assault across bullet swept ground to clear a strongly held house, the capture of which was vital to the attack. After the Rhine crossing, he took over a Platoon and held out in a house for several hours against the most determined enemy attacks accompanied by bazookas and S.P. guns. At one time he personally climbed onto the roof in full view of the enemy, and from this position was able to shoot and kill a bazooka party who were infiltrating and endangering the whole position.
During the whole campaign, it is difficult to speak too highly of this NCO’s conduct. Throughout his entire Company, his courage is a bye-word, and it is difficult to overestimate the tremendous value of his splendid example to the men around him.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 9 August 1945 (North West Europe).

Leslie Milne Johnstone was a native of Forfar, Scotland. He served during the Second War with the 1st Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment), and was present during their landing in Sicily and crossing over to mainland Italy. The Battalion landed in Normandy, 9 June 1944, and Johnstone proceeded to serve with them through to the Reichswald and ultimately the Crossing of the Rhine in March 1945.