Military service
Burial/memorial information
He enlisted on 21 March 1941 in Rimouski, Quebec, regimental number E-620148. On 1 May 1942, he enlisted again with the Fusiliers du Saint-Laurent in Halifax, Nova Scotia, service number E-109503. A deserter, he enlisted a third time on 18 June 1942 at Camp Valcartier, Quebec, regimental number E-57850. On 22 April 1943, he joined the Royal 22e Régiment and left for England on the 23rd.
On 10 July 1943, he took part in the Allied landing in Sicily, Operation Husky. He was killed in action on the 27th during the assault on Mount Santa Maria near Catanenova, where he was temporarily buried. He had 449 days' service, including 306 overseas.
Digital gallery of Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Digital gallery of
Private Emile Banville
Image gallery
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 134 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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AGIRA CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY Italy
Agira Canadian War Cemetery lies in the Commune of Agira, Province of Enna, in the centre of Sicily. From the autostrada A19, Catania-Palermo, take the exit to Catenanuova. Follow signposts to Regalbuto, then pass Regalbuto, going in the direction of Agira. The Cemetery is then signposted about 12 kilometres from Regalbuto.
On 10 July 1943, following the successful conclusion of the north African campaign in mid May, a combined allied force of 160,000 Commonwealth and American troops invaded Sicily as a prelude to the assault on mainland Italy. The Italians, who would shortly make peace with the Allies and re-enter the war on their side, offered little determined resistance but German opposition was vigorous and stubborn. The campaign in Sicily came to an end on 17 August when the two allied forces came together at Messina, but failed to cut off the retreating Axis lines. Agira was taken by the 1st Canadian Division of 28 July and the site for the war cemetery was chosen in September for the burial of all Canadians who had been killed in the Sicily campaign. Agira Canadian War Cemetery contains 491 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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