In Memory of
CHRISTIE, EARL JOHN, E J
Rank: Lieutenant
Service:
Loyal Edmonton Regiment, R.C.I.C..
who died
05 August 1943
Age 26 years old
Remembered with honour
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Born: 7 Mag 1917, Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat Census Division, Alberta, Canada
Son of Archibald N. and Lydia V. Christie, of Medicine Hat, Alberta. B.Sc.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2009-08-04
Lieutenant Earl John Christie was the best friend of prof. Chris Burnley'
grandfather from Vancouver, William McQueen, who grew up together in Medicine Hat, Alberta. William enlisted in the Canadian Army when the war broke out and served with the Calgary Highlanders.
He encouraged Earl to stay in medical school at the University of Alberta, because they needed doctors during and after the war. Earl enlisted anyway and was transferred to the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. William got badly wounded with the Calgary Highlanders in France during the war. Earl got killed in action on 5 August 1943 on Hill 736 Northeast of Agira.
After the war William returned to Canada and kept a framed photo from Earl in his den all the time. When Chris was an adult his grandfather told stories about his childhood with Earl. William was devastated when he heard that his best friend Earl was killed in action. When William passed away Chris took over Earls framed photo which got a place in their home. Chris and Caroline's children grew up with the story of Earl and he was and still is a part of their lives.
On 24 February 2024, our local friend and guide Pascal Gimmy took Chris and Caroline to Agira and to the grave of Earl Christie where they placed a beautiful bouquet at Earl's grave.
BIA D-Day Dodgers of Canada
He encouraged Earl to stay in medical school at the University of Alberta, because they needed doctors during and after the war. Earl enlisted anyway and was transferred to the Loyal Edmonton Regiment. William got badly wounded with the Calgary Highlanders in France during the war. Earl got killed in action on 5 August 1943 on Hill 736 Northeast of Agira.
After the war William returned to Canada and kept a framed photo from Earl in his den all the time. When Chris was an adult his grandfather told stories about his childhood with Earl. William was devastated when he heard that his best friend Earl was killed in action. When William passed away Chris took over Earls framed photo which got a place in their home. Chris and Caroline's children grew up with the story of Earl and he was and still is a part of their lives.
On 24 February 2024, our local friend and guide Pascal Gimmy took Chris and Caroline to Agira and to the grave of Earl Christie where they placed a beautiful bouquet at Earl's grave.
BIA D-Day Dodgers of Canada
Jimbo Jimmy, 2024-09-28
Son of Archibald N. and Lydia V. Christie, of Medicine Hat, Alberta Commemorated on Page 146 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
John Christie was the Lieutenant of the No 15 platoon from the Loyal Eddies D-Company. He enlisted on March 25, 1942 together with his friend John Dougan.
Both were in the same year on the University of Alberta and John Christie studied medicines. Together they both had a platoon asigned to them, but they were heavily understaffed. Where the both platoons should have 72 men, they only had 43 men.
On the 5th of August 1943 they both had to attack Hill 736 in the Salso Valley, North of Regalbuto. Because Hill 736 was steep it was impossible for tank support to help them with the advance. Instead a creeping barrage by one field regiment, one detachment mortars and two Saskatoon Light Infantry Vickers machine guns was going to take place before the attack. The Germans were entrenched and the 45 Loyal Eddies were heavily exposed while attacking the German positions.
John Christie's No 15 platoon had to cover the right flank and John Dougan's platoon the left.
John was killed in action during his first action during Operation Husky. He died near the body of No 15 platoon Sergeant Robert McEwan.
Source: Operation Husky by Mark Zuehlke.
Find Grave, 2024-10-17
Information courtesy of the 