In Memory of
BROWN WILLIAM LEONARD
Private, F/55300
West Nova Scotia Regiment, R.C.I.C
who died 23 age
02th August 1943
Remembered with honour
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
Born:11 Lug 1920, Sydney Mines, Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia, Canada
Son of James C. and Irene E. Brown, of Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2009-08-04
Private William Leonard Brown, West Nova Scotia Regiment. Born on 11 July 1920 in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia and killed in action on 2 August 1943.It is very likely that William was one of the casualties during the attack on Monte Criscina. Below is a summary of the war diary of the West Novas from 2 August:
"The West Nova Scotia Regiment sent out their patrols at first light to Monte Criscina and on returning they reported that they had seen no enemy.
At 08.30hrs D-Coy pushed forward to Monte Criscina and after advancing about 700 yards they met heavy opposition from the enemy who were carefully concealed in the lower ground before the Monte. They had many automatic weapons.
Shortly before noon A-Coy moved forward farther to the right to assist D-Coy, but on reaching the high ground they were pinned down by enemy fire. The fighting continued throughout the day.
B-Coy directed artillery fire with good effect on the enemy positions.
At 19.00hrs Brigadier Penhale decided together with the CO's of the 78th Division that an enemy attack on Monte Criscina will not take place that evening. Shortly after 20.00hrs the enemy fired ten shells in Battalion HQ area wrecking the 22 set (radio) and killing two men. During the day the Battalion lost about 17 men killed including Lieutenant Reeves of A-Coy."
He was buried near La Rosamarina and later reburied at Agira Canadian War Cemetery.
William lived in Sydney Mines with his father, three younger brothers and one younger sister. His mother had passed away at the age of 43.
William enlisted on 17 June 1940 in Sydney, Nova Scotia and was added to the Cape Breton Highlanders after his basic training. From there he was transferred to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders and after spending some time in hospital in England he was transferred to the West Novas in June 1943 just before embarking for Sicily.
Find Grave, 2024-10-10
Information courtesy of the 