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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Kenner Sawle Arrell

In memory of:

Lieutenant Kenner Sawle Arrell

December 27, 1943
Italy

Military Service

Age:

24

Force:

Army

Unit:

48th Highlanders of Canada

Honours and Awards:

Mentioned in Despatches

Additional Information

Born:

April 27, 1919
Caledonia, Ontario

Enlistment:

June 15, 1942
Toronto, Ontario

Son of Harrison Arrell, Q.C., and Eva Margaret Arrell (nee Sawle), of Caledonia, Ontario. Brother of Hugh Cameron and Alexander Harrison Arrell.

Commemorated on Page 132 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

MORO RIVER CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Italy

Grave Reference:

XI. B. 6.

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

Send us your images

  • Photo of KENNER SAWLE ARRELL– 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.

    Details

    Photo of KENNER SAWLE ARRELL
    Photo of KENNER SAWLE ARRELL – 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.
  • Grave marker– Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013

    Details

    Grave marker
    Grave marker – Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram January 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram January 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram February 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram February 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Hamilton Spectator c. 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Hamilton Spectator c. 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Hamilton Spectator c. 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Hamilton Spectator c. 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Kenner Sawle Arrell– Lieutenant Arrell came to The Queen's Own Rifles in England and was seconded for service in Italy. He went on a POUCH draft in late 1943 and was mortally wounded leading his platoon of 48th Highlanders in an attack on "Cemetery Hill" (west of Ortona).

    Details

    Photo of Kenner Sawle Arrell
    Photo of Kenner Sawle Arrell – Lieutenant Arrell came to The Queen's Own Rifles in England and was seconded for service in Italy. He went on a POUCH draft in late 1943 and was mortally wounded leading his platoon of 48th Highlanders in an attack on "Cemetery Hill" (west of Ortona).
  • Letter– This is a letter written by Kenner to the widow of Ken Smith 48th Highlanders who was KIA. 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.

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – This is a letter written by Kenner to the widow of Ken Smith 48th Highlanders who was KIA. 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.
  • Letter (Page 2)– This is a letter written by Kenner to the widow of Ken Smith 48th Highlanders who was KIA. 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.

    Details

    Letter (Page 2)
    Letter (Page 2) – This is a letter written by Kenner to the widow of Ken Smith 48th Highlanders who was KIA. 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.
  • Letter– McMaster University Grad 1939 1943 Roll Call from Ottawa Book of Remembrance Gravetstone of Kenner Sawle Arrell Ortona, Italy 1954 Arrell Lake Letter 1945 Feb 1 London Gazette Lt K S Arrell

    Details

    Letter
    Letter – McMaster University Grad 1939 1943 Roll Call from Ottawa Book of Remembrance Gravetstone of Kenner Sawle Arrell Ortona, Italy 1954 Arrell Lake Letter 1945 Feb 1 London Gazette Lt K S Arrell
  • Entrance– Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Entrance
    Entrance – Moro River Canadian War Cemetery - May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Moro River Canadian War Cemetery– May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

    Details

    Moro River Canadian War Cemetery
    Moro River Canadian War Cemetery – May 2013 … Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

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