Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

Harold Wellington Stevens

Male 1922 - 1944  (22 years)


Personal Information    |    Media    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Harold Wellington Stevens 
    Born 20 Oct 1922  Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Military WW2 
    Residence Bef 1944  29 Rudy St., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Misfortune 19 Nov 1944  , Italy Find all individuals with events at this location 
    killed in WW2 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-130495P 
    Died 19 Nov 1944  , Italy Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Villanova Canadian War Cemetery, Bagncavallo, Ravenna, Italy Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I130495  Generations
    Last Modified 26 Feb 2024 

    Father James George Stevens,   b. 1887, Chelsea, , Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Oct 1970, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years) 
    Mother Magdalena "Mattie" Lichty,   b. 18 Sep 1893, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Jan 1972, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Married 18 Aug 1912  Waterloo City, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    Family ID F10416  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Stevens,HaroldWellington-0001aKPL.jpg
    Stevens,HaroldWellington-0001aKPL.jpg
    Following his enlistment on 26 March 1943 in London, ON, Harold trained in Canada and England until February 1944, when he was transferred to Italy. Harold served with the "Westies" Canada's Westminster Motor Regiment, now known as the Royal Westminster Regiment, which bravely fought its way through several heavily-defended German defensive lines in Italy.



    As war raged in Italy, Aurelio and Emma Treré awaited the birth of their child in the village of Fusignano. On 13 November 1944, Emma gave birth to a beautiful and healthy girl, who was named, Luciana, in the local hospital. Two days later, the couple were told by partisans of an impending conflict and were advised to flee to areas already freed by the Allies, near Piangipane or Camerlona.



    A wet, rainy fall has made travel treacherous. On 18 November 1944, after grabbing a few possessions, the family set out as the fighting approached their village. Baby Luciana was placed on a mattress, which was encased in a pillow case, and then wrapped in a wool blanket. Evacuees were handed over to a patrol of Canadian soldiers who were stationed near a river crossing. They were directed to cross the river at a fording place, but struggled with their possessions, fatigue, and the swollen, fast flowing river. As she began the crossing, Grandmother Teresa Ravaglia slipped and fell under water. She accidently let go of the mattress holding baby Luciana. Panicked family members cried out as the mattress quickly sailed down the river. Aurelio struggled to get out of the river and ran along the bank yelling for help as his daughter was carried awayby the fast current.



    As the mattress rounded a bend in the river, Private Harold Stevens, who was standing on the opposite bank heard the cries of Aurelio and family members and those of baby Luciana. Without regard for his personal safety, he quickly took off his rifle and jacket, descended the embankment and waded into the river. Holding onto the reeds, he was able to grab a hold of the mattress as it passed, rescuing baby Luciana.



    Harold returned the baby to Emma and Grandmother Teresa who were distraught believing that Luciana had been lost to the raging river. After an exchange of smiles, nods and well-wishes, Harold returned to his unit and the family set off on their journey. It seemed like tragedy had been averted thanks to a plucky Canadian soldier from Waterloo. As the family walked away, a thunderous explosion made them fall to the ground in a protective huddle. Private Harold Wellington Stevens had stepped on a landmine left by German troops. He died on 19 November 1944 and was buried at the Villanova Canadian War Cemetery in the Commune of Bagnacavallo, Province of Ravenna, Italy.



    Ball-Pyatt, Karen. 2020. "Remembering Private Stevens". Historically Speaking.

    https://historicallyspeakingkitchener.wordpress.com/2020/11/11/remembering-private-stevens/?fbclid=IwAR1GotECm9CV4x1hHrqsbJjNYZ88ZbfK9DmMC73zYzYE1fXnes_KuRqz47Q.

  • Sources 
    1. [S77] News - ON, Waterloo, Elmira - Elmira Signet (1893-1982), Obituary of James George Stevens - Nov 4 1970 pg 12.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 20 Oct 1922 - Haysville, Wilmot Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Bef 1944 - 29 Rudy St., Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMisfortune - killed in WW2 - 19 Nov 1944 - , Italy Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 19 Nov 1944 - , Italy Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Villanova Canadian War Cemetery, Bagncavallo, Ravenna, Italy Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth