In Memory of
Cousins Sidney John
Private, H/16736
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, R.C.I.C.
who died 23 age
22 July 1943
Remembered with honour
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Born 11 Mar 1920,Winnipeg, Greater Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Son of William J. and Mabel E. Cousins, of Bagot, Manitoba.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2009-08-05
12, 22 July 1943.
The Highland Division held its positions near Sferro and Gerbini airfield. They were facing a well dug in enemy on the slopes of Mount Etna. Here the Germans had built the so called Etna Line, a line of pillboxes and fortifications. From here they shelled the Highlanders with artillery, mortars and the hated nebelwerfers.
The 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders got information that about 50 German paratroopers were dropped behind their lines near Scordia, so they had to send out some companies to verify if this was true. Luckily it turned out to be nothing more than a rumour.
The 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry were south of Catania and holding the Simeto bridgehead. This job was also done by the 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.
The Canadians were fighting hard for Leonforte where a company from the Loyal Edmonton Regiment was cut off from the rest of the Regiment. They were holding out, but the fear at HQ was that they were annihilated. With the help from a local Sicilian boy, who was given some food by the entrapped Canadians, the rest of the Regiment was informed that they were still alive. With help of Shermans of the Three Rivers Regiment and with men from the PPCLO on it they entered the town and rescued the entrapped Loyal Eddies. During this action Private Sidney Cousins should have been awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery, but that was later rejected. See the story about him below.
The Shermans dashed through Leonforte and near the hospital a small tankbattle ensued.
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, Royal Canadian Regiment and 48th Highlanders were holding Assoro firmly. The Americans took Palermo and its vital port on the 22nd. The port facilities were for the largest part destroyed and sunken ships were in it.
Unfortunately not many photos were taken on this day...
The Highland Division held its positions near Sferro and Gerbini airfield. They were facing a well dug in enemy on the slopes of Mount Etna. Here the Germans had built the so called Etna Line, a line of pillboxes and fortifications. From here they shelled the Highlanders with artillery, mortars and the hated nebelwerfers.
The 5th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders got information that about 50 German paratroopers were dropped behind their lines near Scordia, so they had to send out some companies to verify if this was true. Luckily it turned out to be nothing more than a rumour.
The 9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry were south of Catania and holding the Simeto bridgehead. This job was also done by the 6th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders.
The Canadians were fighting hard for Leonforte where a company from the Loyal Edmonton Regiment was cut off from the rest of the Regiment. They were holding out, but the fear at HQ was that they were annihilated. With the help from a local Sicilian boy, who was given some food by the entrapped Canadians, the rest of the Regiment was informed that they were still alive. With help of Shermans of the Three Rivers Regiment and with men from the PPCLO on it they entered the town and rescued the entrapped Loyal Eddies. During this action Private Sidney Cousins should have been awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery, but that was later rejected. See the story about him below.
The Shermans dashed through Leonforte and near the hospital a small tankbattle ensued.
The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, Royal Canadian Regiment and 48th Highlanders were holding Assoro firmly. The Americans took Palermo and its vital port on the 22nd. The port facilities were for the largest part destroyed and sunken ships were in it.
Unfortunately not many photos were taken on this day...
Jimbo Jimmy, 2024-09-27
Sidney Cousins was killed in action during the advance towards Leonforte.
The A Company's No 8 Platoon had to take a German machine gun position on a hill. Two privates with a Sergeant were trying to take the enemy position under covering fire of a Brengun.
The Sergeant and one of the Privates were instantly killed in action leaving Private Sidney Cousins the only one left of the three. He picked up the Brengun and attacked the enemy positions killing several Germans firing the Bren from his hip. This outstanding gallantry resulted in the fact that the A Company was able to gain the hill and take the enemy positions.
Later that same day Sidney was killed in action by an Canadian grenade shell exploding near him. He was initially buried in a field grave North of Leonforte.
Afterwards several men from his company made a statement about his gallantry and that he should be awarded the Victoria Cross. Due to an adminstrative error he didn't get the Victoria Cross and is mentioned in Despatches...
Sidney was going to marry Peggy Miriam Nead from Sussex, England but due to the fact that the PPCLI was transferred to Scotland and afterwards to Sicily they never married... He did leave a part of his will to his future wife. He had two brothers who also served in the armed forces and were overseas. He also had two younger sisters and they lived with his parents in Bagot (MB).
There is also a lake named after Sidney. It is Cousins Lake which is East of Southern Indian Lake.
The A Company's No 8 Platoon had to take a German machine gun position on a hill. Two privates with a Sergeant were trying to take the enemy position under covering fire of a Brengun.
The Sergeant and one of the Privates were instantly killed in action leaving Private Sidney Cousins the only one left of the three. He picked up the Brengun and attacked the enemy positions killing several Germans firing the Bren from his hip. This outstanding gallantry resulted in the fact that the A Company was able to gain the hill and take the enemy positions.
Later that same day Sidney was killed in action by an Canadian grenade shell exploding near him. He was initially buried in a field grave North of Leonforte.
Afterwards several men from his company made a statement about his gallantry and that he should be awarded the Victoria Cross. Due to an adminstrative error he didn't get the Victoria Cross and is mentioned in Despatches...
Sidney was going to marry Peggy Miriam Nead from Sussex, England but due to the fact that the PPCLI was transferred to Scotland and afterwards to Sicily they never married... He did leave a part of his will to his future wife. He had two brothers who also served in the armed forces and were overseas. He also had two younger sisters and they lived with his parents in Bagot (MB).
There is also a lake named after Sidney. It is Cousins Lake which is East of Southern Indian Lake.
Find Grave, 2024-10-19
Information courtesy of the 