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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Oliver Reginald Bates

In memory of:

Private Oliver Reginald Bates

July 18, 1943

Military Service


Service Number:

K/53789

Age:

34

Force:

Army

Unit:

Seaforth Highlanders of Canada

Additional Information


Born:

September 28, 1908
Cumberland, British Columbia

Enlistment:

June 24, 1940
Vancouver, British Columbia

Son of Frederick Bates of Vancouver, British Columbia. Husband of Alberta Irma Bates of Vancouver.

Commemorated on Page 134 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:

B, F, 208.

Location:

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.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of Oliver Bates and his wife Alberta
  • Entrance
  • Agira Canadian War Cemetery
  • Photo 2 of Agira Canadian War Cemetery
  • View of Mt. Enna

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