Military service
Burial/memorial information
He embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on December 9, 1939, and landed at Greenock, Scotland, on the 18th. He returned to sea on June 15, 1943, with Force M and took part in the Allied landing in Sicily, Operation Husky, on July 10. He was seriously wounded in the head by shrapnel on October 10, 1943. He was transported to the 11th Canadian General Hospital in Catania, where he died on the 12th. He was initially buried in the British military cemetery there, in grave number G.13. Around October 13, 1944, his remains were reburied in the Canadian military cemetery in Agira, Sicily, in grave number A.B.15, which was later renumbered C.C.296. He had served 1,451 days, including 1,403 overseas.
Digital gallery of Private Henri Desmarais
Digital gallery of
Private Henri Desmarais
Digital gallery of
Private Henri Desmarais
Digital gallery of
Private Henri Desmarais
Digital gallery of
Private Henri Desmarais
Digital gallery of
Private Henri Desmarais
Digital gallery of
Private Henri Desmarais
Digital gallery of
Private Henri Desmarais
Image gallery
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 153 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
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.
Did we miss something?
Contribute information to this commemorative page
Do you have photographs, information or a correction relating to this individual’s virtual memorial? Learn more about the CVWM and the information we collect.