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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Joseph McIlreavey

In memory of:

Lance Sergeant Joseph McIlreavey

October 11, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

B/11124

Age:

24

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Canadian Artillery

Division:

12 Field Regt.

Additional Information


Son of Robert and Annie McIlreavey, of Coleraine, Co. Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Commemorated on Page 387 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

IX. B. 4.

Location:

Adegem Canadian War Cemetery is located midway between Brugge (17 km) and Gent (26 km) on the N9 which connects the two towns. From Brugge, Adegem is approached via Sijsele and Maldegem. On reaching Adegem, the cemetery is located on the Prins Boudewijn Laan, on the right-hand side of the N9. In the last week of September 1944, the Allies held the city of Antwerp, but the Germans held both shores of the Scheldt estuary, so that the port of Antwerp could not be used. The task of clearing the southern shore of the estuary was allotted to the 3rd Canadian Division, aided by the 4th Canadian Armoured Division and the 52nd Division. Their operations lasted from October until the beginning of November 1944. By 3rd November the Germans had been cleared from the north-west corner of Belgium and the south shore of the Scheldt was free. There had been fierce fighting for two weeks for the crossing of the Leopold Canal. The majority of the men buried at Adegem died during the operations for the clearance of the south bank of the Scheldt; but many Canadians who lost their lives elsewhere in Belgium were also brought here for burial.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star November 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Biography– Album of Honour for Brant County World War II 1939-1945
Published in 1946 by The Brantford Kinsmen Club and submitted with their permission by Operation Picture Me
  • Album Cover– Album of Honour for Brant County  World War 11 1939 - 1945
Published in 1946 by The Brantford Kinsmen Club and submitted with their permission by Operation Picture Me
  • Entrance– Photo submitted by Marg Liessens
  • Cross of Sacrifice– Photo submitted by Marg Liessens
  • Grave marker– Photo submitted by Marg Liessens

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