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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

William Freeman Campbell

In memory of:

Flying Officer William Freeman Campbell

January 4, 1944
Off Galata, Sicily, Italy

Military Service


Service Number:

J/22247

Age:

22

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

#221 Squadron (From Sea To Sea)

Citation(s):

1939-1945 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, General Service Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, Operational Wings.

Additional Information


Born:

November 28, 1921
Hamilton, Ontario

Enlistment:

December 12, 1941
Toronto, Ontario

Son of William McFarlane Campbell and Marjorie Marguerite Freeman, of Hamilton, Ontario.

He took the COTC (MG) course in Toronto and in Fort Niagara, Ontario, from September 1939 to September 1941. He served in Canada, in England and in Malta.

Commemorated on Page 267 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

C, E, 321.

Location:

Agira Canadian War Cemetery lies in the Commune of Agira, Province of Enna, in the centre of Sicily. From the autostrada A19, Catania-Palermo, take the exit to Catenanuova. Follow signposts to Regalbuto, then pass Regalbuto, going in the direction of Agira. The Cemetery is then signposted about 12 kilometres from Regalbuto. On 10 July 1943, following the successful conclusion of the north African campaign in mid May, a combined allied force of 160,000 Commonwealth and American troops invaded Sicily as a prelude to the assault on mainland Italy. The Italians, who would shortly make peace with the Allies and re-enter the war on their side, offered little determined resistance but German opposition was vigorous and stubborn. The campaign in Sicily came to an end on 17 August when the two allied forces came together at Messina, but failed to cut off the retreating Axis lines. Agira was taken by the 1st Canadian Division of 28 July and the site for the war cemetery was chosen in September for the burial of all Canadians who had been killed in the Sicily campaign. Agira Canadian War Cemetery contains 491 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of WILLIAM FREEMAN CAMPBELL– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Letter– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Letter– Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star January 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Grave marker– Grave marker from William Freeman Campbell's grave at Agira Canadian War Cemetery.
  • 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
  • Photo of William Campbell
  • Entrance
  • Agira Canadian War Cemetery
  • Photo 2 of Agira Canadian War Cemetery
  • View of Mt. Enna

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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