Private George Johnston (M/16958) served in the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps during the Second World War. He was the son of Thomas Johnston and Margaret H. Johnston of Ballymena, Co. Antrim.
He died on 2nd August 1943 aged 44 years old. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps was part of 2nd Infantry Brigade, 11st Canadian Infantry Division during Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily. The Division landed between Pachino and Syracuse tasked with moving north to liberate the eastern coast as far as Messina. They encountered resistance from the German Army and scaled high ground around Etna before facing stiff opposition in the town of Leonforte.
Further heavy fighting took place at Agira and Nissoria and the Canadian Regiments sustained many losses. Johnston’s death took place as his Regiment advanced to Adrano.
George Johnston’s grave is in Section D, Row E, Grave 445 of Agira Canadian War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. His headstone bears the inscription:
No morning dawns, no night returns but we remember thee. Safe in Jesus’ arms.