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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Donald George James Cordell

In memory of:

Private Donald George James Cordell

December 19, 1943

Military Service


Service Number:

A/11755

Age:

20

Force:

Army

Unit:

The Royal Canadian Regiment

Additional Information


Son of Stephen Henry and Lilas Viona Cordell, of London, Ontario.

Commemorated on Page 148 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:

IV. H. 8.

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

  • Newspaper clipping– From the Barrie Examiner c.1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of Donald George James Cordell– Pte. Cordell enlisted in the Perth Regiment and transferred to the Royal Canadian Regiment. Wound on December 11, and again on the 18th, 1943. Died of wounds.
  • Biography– In memory of the people of London, Ontario who served during World War II and did not return. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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