Harold Wellington Stevens

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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.