RAMC Officers
Of the Malta Garrison
Benjamin Johnson
1883 – 1952

Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Johnson DSO (1918) MB BCh BAO (1913)

9 May 1883 [Ballina Irel] – 20 Nov 1952 [Tavistock Devon]

Service Record

30 July 1906 Lieutenant RAMC.
Seconded to Royal City of Dublin Hospital till Jan 1907.

1908–1913 Served in India.

30 Jan 1910 Promoted Captain RAMC.

26 July 1911 At St George's Church, Wellington, Captain B Johnson RAMC, of St Thomas' Mount, Madras, married Lilian Shirley, elder daughter of Major J W Bullen RAMC and Mrs. Bullen, of Iscoyd, Wellington.

1914 Served with the British Expeditionary Force in France.

17 Oct 1914–1915 Prisoner of War.

1915–1916 Served in France and Belgium.

1916–1919 Served in Salonica as Commanding Officer 80 Field Ambulance.

3 June 1917 Promoted Brevet Major RAMC.

3 June 1918 London Gazette: Appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

30 July 1918 Promoted Major RAMC.

1922 Served with the British Army of the Rhine.

1922–1927 Served in India.

11 Apr 1930 Arrived from Millbank, England. Took command of the Mtarfa Military Hospital during the absence of Lt Col R C Wilmot, on leave in England.

29 Sep 1930 Promoted Lieutenant Colonel. On promotion took command of Mtarfa Military Hospital.

1931 Commanding Officer Military Hospital Mtarfa.

4 May 1931 Home leave.

23 July 1931 Returned from leave.

1932 Commanding Officer Military Hospital Mtarfa.

1933 Commanding Officer Military Hospital Mtarfa.

29 Mar 1933 Home leave with his family. In his absence from Malta the command of the hospital devolved on to Major Robert Washington Vint

8 July 1933 Returned from leave.

Malta Aug–11 Oct 1934 Deputy Director Medical Services Malta Command.

10 July 1934 Promoted Colonel L/RAMC.

11 Oct 1934 Col and Mrs Johnson returned to England after relinquishing command of the Military Hospital Mtarfa and No 30 Coy RAMC. He was succeeded by Col Alexander Dawson L/RAMC as DDMS Malta.

On his departure, Col Johnson presented a shield which was to be awarded annually to the NCO below the rank of Cpl who had gained the highest number of points in three subjects: corps exams, athletics and general progress during the preceding year. The shield was called the Johnson Efficiency Shield, and was to be presented annually in October. The system of marking was based on Corps and Educational qualifications, proficiency in sports, and general bearing. The individual had to have passed a Corps or Educational examination during the period under consideration.

1934–1938 Deputy Director Medical Services HQ Western Command.

10 July 1938 Retired.

28 Nov 1939 Rejoined the services.

1939–22 July 1940 Permanent Standing Medical Board Western Command.

22 July 1940 Reverted to retired pay.

13 Nov 1941–1942 Re-employed on Trooping Duties.

Bibliography