Sapper Lloyd Alexander Johnston was born in Ottawa ON and educated at the Technical High School. He was serving in the 3rd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers when he elected active serve in September 1939. He declared his trade and motor mechanic driver on enlistment. He proceeded overseas with the 1st Canadian Division in December of that year. He had been serving in the 3rd Field Company Sapper Johnston was a member at the Canadian expedition to Spitsbergen the following August.
Sapper Johnston continued his sapper training over the next two years. In 1943, he took part in Operation HUSKY landing at Pachino and moving inland as a dispatch rider. Immediately following the battle of Leonforte on 21 and 22 July, the 1st Canadian Division began the next stage of the battle advancing to the fortified hill town of Agira. On the night of 28 July, the 3rd Field Company sent a reconnaissance patrol forward to Agira. Finding no resistance the patrol leader, Lieutenant E.T. Galway, GM, MC, found himself and his patrol in the middle of Agira. As they withdrew, they, unfortunately, did meet some resistance. Five German soldiers were killed in the skirmish as well as Sapper Johnston. He is buried in the Agira Canadian War Cemetery in Sicily. Sapper Johnston's full story can be seen by clicking here.
Note: His brother, Lieutenant Allen Johnston was serving in Shilo MB when he died.
At 0700 hours on 22 July 1943 at Map Reference 340920, (just south on Leonforte) the above mentioned Sapper when under enemy fire transported to safety two wounded comrades. It was necessary for Sapper Johnston to manoeuvre his motorcycle loaded with the wounded through enemy fire, which he did in such a manner that I consider it to be a high act of bravery under enemy fire. As only one of the wounded could be carried on the motorcycle at one time, it involved Sapper Johnston returning under fire and bringing the second casualty back to our lines. This he did with great bravery.