Spr Arthur Herbert Johnson, 6th Fd Coy

"In fond memory of a loving son and brother" Sapper Johnson's headstone at Beny-Sur-Mer
Beny-Sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery – The Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery, located at Reviers, about 4 kilometres from Juno Beach in Normandy, France. (J. Stephens)
Background 

Arthur Herbert Johnson was born on 2 June 1919 in Port Arthur ON. His parents were Peter and Matilda Johnson of Winnipeg MB.

When he enlisted on 10 October 1941 in Winnipeg. He completed public school when he was 15 years old. He was single and had been working for the Canadian National Railway for four months as a labourer and later as a metal worker at Benedict & Proctor Company. Prior to that, he had been a farmer. He initially joined the Fort Garry Horse but, within a week, he had transferred to the engineers. He completed his basic training in Canada and joined the 6th Field Company RCE in England on 27 August 1942.  Arthur had hoped to be an office clerk when he returned from the war.

Until the end of 1942, the Company was heavily committed to training – both in the technical Combat Engineering skills required for warfare as well as participating in a number of exercises to developing their team skills and ability to support Combat Arms units. 1943 saw the training emphasis focusing on Assault Training with its focus further sharpening in the first few months of 1944 to the preparations for the D-Day landing and assault.

Sapper Arthur Herbert Johnson landed with the 6th Field Company RCE later on D-Day in a follow-on wave. He moved off the beach but was killed in Reviers by a sniper bullet. He is buried in the Beny-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in France.

..... Based on Research conducted by 6 Field Engineer Squadron Museum Association.

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