In Memory of
OLIVER REGINALD BATES
Private, K/53789
Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
who died on
18th July 1943
Remembered with honour
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
AGIRA WAR CEMETERY, SICILY
One of the 38 Canadian soldiers that died on August 19, 1943 at the field north of Piazza Armerina moving towards Valguarnera.
Born: 28 Set 1908 Cumberland, Comox Valley Regional District, British Columbia, Canada
Photo of Oliver Bates and his wife Alberta
Sebastiano Giannitto, 2013-07-20
Private Oliver Reginald Bates, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Born on 28 September 1908 in Cumberland, British Columbia and killed in action on 18 July 1943.
According to the Seaforths was diary they were in the field north of Piazza Armerina moving towards Valguarnera. At a road junction near the Grottacalda Pass they were held up by enemy fire. They spotted four enemy tanks. This is the only skirmish they had that day or the day before and it is most likely that Oliver was one of the few casualties that day. It's unknown where Oliver was buried in a field grave. He was later reburied at Agira Canadian War Cemetery.
Oliver was married to Alberta Irma Bates (the lady on the photo) and together they had one daughter, Panzy Barbara. They lived in Vancouver. Oliver's father also lived in Vancouver (his mother had been deceased) and he had one brother serving in the RCAF, Frederick. Frederick survived the war.
Oliver enlisted on 24 June 1940 in Vancouver.
According to the Seaforths was diary they were in the field north of Piazza Armerina moving towards Valguarnera. At a road junction near the Grottacalda Pass they were held up by enemy fire. They spotted four enemy tanks. This is the only skirmish they had that day or the day before and it is most likely that Oliver was one of the few casualties that day. It's unknown where Oliver was buried in a field grave. He was later reburied at Agira Canadian War Cemetery.
Oliver was married to Alberta Irma Bates (the lady on the photo) and together they had one daughter, Panzy Barbara. They lived in Vancouver. Oliver's father also lived in Vancouver (his mother had been deceased) and he had one brother serving in the RCAF, Frederick. Frederick survived the war.
Oliver enlisted on 24 June 1940 in Vancouver.
Find Grave, 2024-10-04
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