Henry James Johnson
Encyclopedia
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
.
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.
He received the Order of the British Empire
for his services to the TA. Johnson died July 20, 2008.
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, Officer of the Order of the British Empire and holder of the Territorial Decoration
Territorial Decoration
The Territorial Decoration was a medal of the United Kingdom awarded for long service in the Territorial Force and its successor, the Territorial Army...
. He commanded the 21 SAS (TA), after which he led Britain's clandestine war against Egyptian forces in Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
during the mid-1960s. After that he set up Britain's first post-war private military company
Private military company
A private military company or provides military and security services. These combatants are commonly known as mercenaries, though modern-day PMCs refer to their staff as security contractors, private military contractors or private security contractors, and refer to themselves as private military...
.
Early life
Johnson was born December 21, 1924 then educated at Westminster SchoolWestminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
and was there at the same time as Tony Benn
Tony Benn
Anthony Neil Wedgwood "Tony" Benn, PC is a British Labour Party politician and a former MP and Cabinet Minister.His successful campaign to renounce his hereditary peerage was instrumental in the creation of the Peerage Act 1963...
. He joined the British Army and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the Welsh Guards.
After The War
Johnson relinquished his military commission in order to become a TA SAS trooper. He was then promoted back to Lt. He then received a series of promotions, which eventually led to the rank of Colonel.He received the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for his services to the TA. Johnson died July 20, 2008.