In Memory of
Arbour, William, W
Rank: Private
Service: B/73748
48th Highlanders of Canada, R.C.I.C.
who died at 24 age
25 July 1943
Remembered with honour
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2024-09-26
Private William Arbour, 48th Highlanders of Canada. Born on 3 September 1918 in Toronto, Ontario and killed in action on 25 July 1943.
Bill was one of the many casualties the 48th Highlanders suffered during the attacks on the hill features east of Nissoria which took place on 25/26 July 1943. Below is a part from their war diary of the 25th:
"In the evening the 48th Highlanders were ordered to move to Nissoria and attack the hill features north and east of town where the Hasty P's and RCR had lost many men. The Battalion advanced under an artillery barrage and B and D-Coys nearly reached the crest of the feature. D-Coy then met a heavy enfilade of machine gun fire from their left flank. B-Coy tried to swing around and take out this post, but were also met with heavy fire. The two companies were forced to withdraw. Later that night (this is the 26th of July) Lieutenant Osler and 10 other ranks were killed, 2 men missing and 38 men wounded. The Battalion then withdrew to their former positions to await daylight". Bill's body was discovered on the 30th of July by Padre East. Padre East found Bill together with Privates Tom Hardacre and John Thorburn and gave them a proper burial. Later he was reburied on Agira Canadian War Cemetery.
Bill lived in Toronto with his mother. His father had passed away. He had two younger brothers and one sister. Bill enlisted on 10 January 1940 in Toronto.
Bill was one of the many casualties the 48th Highlanders suffered during the attacks on the hill features east of Nissoria which took place on 25/26 July 1943. Below is a part from their war diary of the 25th:
"In the evening the 48th Highlanders were ordered to move to Nissoria and attack the hill features north and east of town where the Hasty P's and RCR had lost many men. The Battalion advanced under an artillery barrage and B and D-Coys nearly reached the crest of the feature. D-Coy then met a heavy enfilade of machine gun fire from their left flank. B-Coy tried to swing around and take out this post, but were also met with heavy fire. The two companies were forced to withdraw. Later that night (this is the 26th of July) Lieutenant Osler and 10 other ranks were killed, 2 men missing and 38 men wounded. The Battalion then withdrew to their former positions to await daylight". Bill's body was discovered on the 30th of July by Padre East. Padre East found Bill together with Privates Tom Hardacre and John Thorburn and gave them a proper burial. Later he was reburied on Agira Canadian War Cemetery.
Bill lived in Toronto with his mother. His father had passed away. He had two younger brothers and one sister. Bill enlisted on 10 January 1940 in Toronto.
Jimbo Jimmy, 2024-09-26
Information courtesy of the 