George William Abbott F/32553 Private Cape Breton Highlanders, R.C.I.C February 20, 1924 (on attestation) Glace Bay, Nova Scotia October 23, 1942 Sydney, Nova Scotia Glace Bay, Nova Scotia 18 (on attestation) 5 feet, 4½ inches Medium Brown Light Brown Labourer Roman Catholic Single William Abbott (Father) Glace Bay, Nova Scotia August 30, 1944 19 Montecchio War Cemetery I.D.6. Commemorated on Page 234 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on May 16, 17, 18 George William Abbott was the son of William Henry Abbott (1890-1969) and Catherine Abbott of Glace Bay, Cape Breton Co., Nova Scotia. Both his parents, born in Newfoundland, moved to Cape Breton and were living at 19 Bruce St., in Glace Bay when George was born. His father was a miner with the Dominion Coal Company. George attended St. Anne’s school and completed grade 8 at age 15. He was employed as a labourer with Dominion Construction Company at Point Edward near Sydney prior to his enlistment in 1942. He enlisted in Sydney, NS on October 23, 1942 and Taken on Strength (TOS) at Halifax. He began Basic Training at No. 60 CIBTC at Yarmouth on November 20, 1942. On December 12, 1942, George was struck off strength as reinforcement and was taken on strength with Administration and Training Staff, responsible for the administrative and training functions of the army at the Yarmouth Training Camp. The military record of this assignment indicates that he was ‘under age’. ( A document completed by his father in November 1944 records his birth as February 20, 1925 as does his Certificate of Baptism. George would have been only 17 at his enlistment.) He remained in Yarmouth, NS, until August 29, 1943. He was then re-assigned for reinforcement and transferred to No 61 CABTC in New Glasglow to complete his Basic Training (August 30, 1943-October 6, 1943) He then completed his advanced training at the Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Aldershot. He was granted ten days leave on December 7, 1943. He proceeded overseas on December 26, 1943, disembarking in the United Kingdom on January 3, 1944. In England George was assigned to the Cape Breton Highlanders for service in the Italian Campaign. He disembarked in Italy on April 9, 1944. Private George William Abbott, was killed in action on August 30, 1944, when the Cape Breton Highlanders, part of the 11th Infantry Brigade, 5th Canadian Armoured Division, were engaged in heavy fighting on the Adriatic Front in Italy, advancing on Hill 120 near Montecchio as part of the Allied push to breach the German Gothic Line.

Sources: Library and Archives Canada Canadian Virtual War Memorial findagrave background photo: Montecchio War Cemetery, Italy