Rushton, Percy Alfred

Percy Rushton was born in Yorkshire, England in 1917, and immigrated to Canada with his parents at the age of two. He attended school in the Toronto area, distinguishing himself as an athlete. He left school early during the Great Depression to work odd jobs in support of his family. At 23, he joined the Canadian army and, in 1942, was shipped overseas. He was among the first Canadian soldiers to land in Sicily and mainland Italy with Field Marshall Montgomery’s 8th army. In 1844, Rushton was injured in a battle, and subsequently contracted malaria. He returned to Canada in a hospital ship. Having regained his health, he again worked at various jobs before re-enlisting with the Canadian army in 1949. He fought in Korea from 1950-52 where he earned a medal for distinguished service. Returning once again to Canada, Percy Rushton worked at the CBC and CP Rail before retiring. He died on August 13, 1986, after a long illness, at the age of 69.