Military service
Burial/memorial information
Enlisted in the Régiment de la Chaudière under the name Olliver Comeau, he embarked for Great Britain on 20 July 1941 and landed at Gourock, Scotland, on the 30th, after docking on the 28th. On 11 May 1943, he was transferred to the Royal 22e Régiment. On 29 July he landed in Sicily and on 3 September on the Italian mainland.
"The next morning [7 October 1943] two battalions of the 3rd Brigade attacked at 7.30 a.m. The Carleton & York Regiment on the right passed through the counter of the Royal 22nd Regiment on the left of the bridge and moved directly towards Gambatesa.... The fall of Gambatesa forced the enemy to abandon their defences along the Fortore and enabled our troops to cross the river to the north and south of the town... From the 5th until noon on the 7th the whole Regiment had to endure intense fire from the enemy who tried to prevent it from advancing. " History of the Royal 22e Régiment, pages 169-171.
As a member of B Company, near Gambatesa, he was seriously wounded by shrapnel on 7 October 1943. He died of wounds at 10am on the 14th. He was buried on the 15th in the civilian cemetery in Foggia (Italy). On 28 September 1944, his body was exhumed and reburied 4 miles (6.5 km) south of Bari (Italy).
It should be noted that he served under the first name Olliver, although George Olliver, George Oliver, Georges Ovila, G. Olliver, G. Olivier, Olivier, Oliver appear on many other military documents.
Digital gallery of Private George Ovila Comeau
Digital gallery of
Private George Ovila Comeau
Digital gallery of
Private George Ovila Comeau
Image gallery
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 147 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
Request this page
Download this page
BARI WAR CEMETERY Italy
The BARI WAR CEMETERY lies south of Bari, in the rural locality of Carbonara in the Commune and Province of Bari.
It is reached from the town by proceeding south along the Taranto road (Route No.100) for about 8.5 kilometres. The turning to the right, leading to Carbonara di Bari, is taken and the Cemetery lies on the right about 1.5 kilometres further on.
From the North, take the exit to Bari North and continue on the Tangenziale in the direction of Brindisi. Take Exit No.12, Bari Carbonara, and continue into town. Proceed around the square in the direction of Triggiano. Follow this road across the traffic lights and the BARI WAR CEMETERY can be found on the left hand side.
From the South, follow the Tangenziale (main road) and exit at Carbonara Bari, then proceed as above.
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.