111 men from the Irish Brigade were killed during the Sicilian campaign during August 1943, with the vast majority of these men, 101, buried at Catania, three are at Syracuse and two in Tripoli where they had been evacuated. There are five other men commemorated at Cassino and named there on the Memorial Panels.

During their recent visit, the Irish Brigade co founders, Richard and Edmund O’Sullivan visited the two CWGC cemeteries in Sicily to pay their respects to all the men, who rest at peace there. At Catania, we were particularly pleased to meet with two of the CWGC gardeners, Camela and Nicola, and thanked them for their efforts in maintaining such a beautiful environment.

We did notice that at the Catania CWGC Cemetery, there is one head stone that shows “Known Unto God” with a Royal Irish Fusiliers’ cap badge and we have brought this fact to the attention of the CWGC.