.Born in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire on 30 February 1884, Dudley Graham Johnson joined the Army as a young man and served with The South Wales Borderers, being attached to 2nd Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment. Serving in France Johnson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions and leadership skills during action on the 4th November 1918. Part of the citation for that award reads:- 

"On 4th November, 1918 at Sambre Canal, France the 2nd Infantry Brigade, to which the second Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment formed part, was ordered to cross by the locks south of Catillon. The position was strong and the assaulting and bridging parties were halted on arrival at the waterway 100 yards from the Canal by a heavy barrage.  At this point Lieutenant Colonel Johnson arrived and personally led an assault but heavy fire again broke up the attack. He re-organized the assaulting and bridging parties and this time effected a crossing but the success of this dangerous operation was entirely due to his splendid leadership".

After the 1st World War, Johnson was promoted on several occasions and in doing so, held the following positions: -

1)   From 1928-32 Commanded the 2nd Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment,