1938 – 2023 (85)
2 PPCLI, Airborne and QOR of C
MWO Brian (John) H. Johnston, CD
Royal Canadian Army Cadets
Brian (John) Johnston first became involved with the military in Sept. 1953 when, at the age of 15, he joined the Riverdale Collegiate Cadet Corps No. 2217. With a strength of about 400, No. 2217 was one of the larger cadet corps in the City of Toronto and it maintained a strong affiliation with a Militia unit, the Third Battalion, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (3 QOR of C). The Army Cadets met one evening a week for drill and weapons training in the basement of Riverdale Collegiate. In the summer of 1954 he went to Camp Ipperwash for field training and gained experience in what it was really like to be a soldier.
Third Battalion, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (3 QOR of C)
In late 1954 Brian joined the 3 QOR of C mainly because of the Militia Bn’s affiliation with Cadet Corps No. 2217. He was only 16 years old but told them he was 17 and had experience with the Cadets. The Queen’s Own paraded and trained once a week at the University Armouries, periodically going to other locations like Camp Meaford for live firing of weapons and Casa Loma for sentry and guard duty. During the summer of 1955 3 QOR of C went to Camp Niagara-On-The-Lake for training and competitions with other Toronto Garrison Infantry units.
Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)
He joined the Canadian Army (Regular) on July 31, 1956 and was sent for basic training to the PPCLI Depot at the Prince of Wales Armouries, Edmonton. On completion of basic training in November, 1956, he was posted to the Second Battalion, (2 PPCLI), in Currie Barracks, Calgary. He qualified as a paratrooper at Rivers, Manitoba in April, 1957 (Serial 314). The battalion went to Camp Wainwright for brigade summer training exercises from mid-June to the end of July 1957 and, instead of returning to Currie Barracks, went to the brand new PPCLI Home Station, Hamilton Gault Barracks, in Edmonton. He attended Advanced Para Course No. 6 at Rivers in March, 1961 and became a qualified jumpmaster.
Canadian Intelligence Corps (C Int C)
In March, 1962, Brian transferred to the Canadian Intelligence Corps and was stationed in Ottawa for six years followed by a posting to Germany for 4 years. During this period he was engaged in strategic and combat intelligence as a photo interpreter.
Canadian Airborne Regiment (CAR)
When he left Germany in July 1972, Brian was posted to the Canadian Airborne Regiment (CAR) in Edmonton and began jumping out of serviceable aircraft again. He went to Cyprus with the CAR in 1974 and was there when the Turkish Army launched Phase II of the Cyprus War in August. In 1976 he was in St Hubert, Quebec with the CAR which was the QRF (Quick Reaction Force) during the Summer Olympics held in Montreal (Operation Gamescan 76).
Brian retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in October, 1976 with the rank of Master Warrant Officer.
Decoration and medals:
Canadian Forces’ Decoration (CD) – July 30, 1968, for twelve years service with good conduct.
United Nations Medal (Cyprus) – December, 1974, for service with UNFICYP, Nicosia District (CANCON) during the war in Cyprus.
Special Service Medal with the NATO Bar – September, 1994, for service in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Germany).
Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal – June, 2001, for service on an international peacekeeping mission (Cyprus).
His son Dave wrote this about his dad.
With great sadness I am letting everyone know that my dad, Brian (John) Johnston, has passed away last Wednesday October 25, 2023 at the age of 85. While he had more than his share of health issues over the last nine years in addition to managing his diabetes of 40 years, he never let those issues dominate his life. He was always positive, optimistic and cheerful. He was sweet and generous with everyone yet always rose to the occasion when hard work or decisions were required. Obviously, this quiet grit and courage came from his years in the Canadian Airborne Regiment jumping out of planes at low altitudes. I am proud to call him my dad and hope I have lived up to his great example of how to live a full and fulfilling life.
His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 10:00 am at Westlawn Funeral Home at 16310 Stony Plain Road, Edmonton, AB. There will be a viewing at 9:00 am, and a lunch reception after the service and burial ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Diabetes Canada, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or a charity of your choice.
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