Brass plaque placed on the wall of St Andrew’s Church in memory of Pte John  Smith Berry killed in action on Oct 10, 1944. The plaque was donated by Brigadier Ian Johnston in the mid 1960s.

This plaque communicates, perhaps better than any other, the bonds between those who served together. It states simply: “To the Glory of God and in pleasant memory of Pte John Smith Berry, 48th Highlanders of Canada, who gave his life in action in Italy, 5th October, 1944.” Those in the 48th know that John Berry was the driver throughout Sicily and Italy for Lt. Col. Ian Johnston. He followed him to 11 Brigade when Johnston was promoted to brigadier after the 48th Highlanders successful and brilliant breaching of the Hitler Line south of Rome. Berry had collected enough points to be sent home to Canada but had asked his Colonel if he could remain his driver. They had been great friends and comrades and in England, when Johnston was a major and Company Commander, Berry had asked him to be his best man at his wedding. While at 11 Brigade Berry was killed when his jeep hit a mine.

That Ian Johnston did not place his name on the plaque was consistent with his values and his belief that the Regiment and its members deserved the greatest recognition. Instead, at the bottom is “The Tribute of a Comrade” and “ ‘Jonathan delighted much in David’ – 1 Samuel 19:2”.