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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Emmet Francis Austin

In memory of:

Private Emmet Francis Austin

December 7, 1943
Italy

Military Service


Service Number:

B/112745

Age:

29

Force:

Army

Unit:

48th Highlanders of Canada

Additional Information


Born:

January 14, 1914
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Enlistment:

May 14, 1942
Toronto, Ontario

Son of William and Mary Austin.

Commemorated on Page 133 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:

X. F. 5.

Location:

By the winter of 1943, the German armies in Italy were defending a line stretching from the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Naples, to the Adriatic Sea south of Ortona. The Allies prepared to break through this line to capture Rome. For its part, the 1st Canadian Infantry Division was to cross the Moro River and take Ortona. In January 1944 the Canadian Corps selected this site, intending that it would contain the graves of those who died during the Ortona battle and in the fighting in the weeks before and after it. Today, there are 1,615 graves in the cemetery, of which over 50 are unidentified and 1,375 are Canadian.

The Moro River Canadian War Cemetery lies in the locality of San Donato in the Commune of Ortona, Province of Chieti, and is sited on high ground near the sea just east of the main Adriatic coast road (SS16). The cemetery can be reached from Rome on the autostrada A25 (Rome-Pescara) by branching on the autostrada A14 and leaving it at Ortona. The approach road to the cemetery from the main road passes under an arch forming part of the little church of San Donato. The cemetery is permanently open and may be visited anytime.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Entrance– Entrance - Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Cemetery– Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Grave Marker– Grave marker - Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Badge– In memory of the members of the 48th Highlanders of Canada who went to war and did not come home. Submitted on behalf of the 48th Highlanders Museum, 73 Simcoe St. Toronto, ON M5J 1W9 Submitted for the project Operation: Picture Me.
  • Photo of Emmet Francis Austin– Tracadie, Prince Edward Island
  • Grave marker– First visit by Emmet's family to his grave at Moro River Canadian War Cemetery (2012). His medals were brought all the way from Canada.
  • Grave marker– Emmet's grave at Moro River Canadian War Cemetery (2012).
  • Registry– Emmet's listing in the book of graves at Moro River Canadian War Cemetery (2012).

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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