Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Badge – In memory of the members of the 48th Highlanders of Canada who went to war and did not come home. Submitted on behalf of the 48th Highlanders Museum, 73 Simcoe St. Toronto, ON M5J 1W9 Submitted for the project Operation: Picture Me.

Photo of William (Bill) Stephenson – Private William (Bill) Stephenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henry Stephenson, set out from the shores of this county with his father on a high adventure, arrived overseas together (August 1940), served for a time in the same unit (RHLI), then parted. Charles, for medical reasons was sent back home and discharged (December 31, 1941), William, pursuing the path of duty, even as his father had done once before as a young man, marched on, but this time on the road - the long road - from which there is no returning. Charles, was sergeant-cook with the R.H.L.I., and a veteran who served with the "Mad Fourth" in the Great War (April 1915 - May 1919). Bill was 22 years old. He was born in Hamilton, attended West Hamilton School and is remembered as a young lad who belonged to the R.H.L.I. as a bugler. When the time came, Bill joined the active forces and went overseas with the R.H.L.I. Serving with this Hamilton unit, he went through the Dieppe raid, escaping unwounded, then last March (1943) he transferred to the 45th Highlanders Battalion, a Toronto unit, and his parents received word that in June he had gone to the Mediterranean theatre of action. Bill is buried in the Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, Ortona, Italy. Bill is always remembered by his sister Elsie.

Newspaper Clipping – Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Entrance – Entrance - Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Cemetery – Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

Grave Marker – Grave marker - Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens