Warrant Officer Guy Johnston
Before WW2 my father was a gardener living in the sleepy village of Bolton Percy near York, UK.
When the war broke out, he began his training as a WAG (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) with the RAF on Beaufort torpedo bombers. By May 1943 he was with RAF 39 Beaufort Squadron on Malta engaged on anti-enemy surface shipping and submarine missions.
He transferred from the RAF to RAAF 458 in September 1943 at Protville Tunisia, joining Sgt/Pilot Richardson' crew, flying as a WAG in Wellingtons. There are numerous mentions in his log book of 'U Boat hunt' and 'Convoy Escort' activity.
November 1943 found him at Bone engaged on many similar operations, and in December 1943 he joined F/O 'Lock' Simpsons crew to continue these and other activity. There is a picture of my father and the rest of the crew in Peter Alexander's book 'We Find and Destroy' 2001 edition page 188, taken at Bone in 1944. Another photo with his crew on page 70.
His 'tour' with RAAF 458 came to an end on the 21st May 1944. His last month with the squadron saw intensive 'Convoy Escort' activity and taking part in 'Operation Strangle' in the Ustica area near Sicily.
He then joined an RAF 'Ferry' unit flying in a variety of aircraft. During this time he spent a number of weeks with the US Airforce and qualified as 'Pilot's Mate' on 4 engined Consolidated 'Liberator' bomber aircraft.
At the end of the war he was Warrant Officer (Signals) on Malta.
Following demobilisation he returned to the UK in November 1945 and took up his profession as a gardener once more.
Written by Peter Johnston - Son of Guy Johnston
