Our military history

Private Joseph Allasia served on the front lines of the First World War, helping care for wounded soldiers during some of Canada’s most defining battles. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force Canadian Army Medical Corps, No. 8 Field Ambulance Joseph Allasia was born on August 14, 1886, in Turin, Italy. He immigrated to Canada and was working as a grocer when, on January 5, 1916, he enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, No. 8 Field Ambulance, part of T

The First World War • The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 4th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles Pte. Bacino was born on May 16, 1883, in Italy. He worked as a miner and resided in Bellevue, Alberta. His brother, Joe Bacino, lived in Hadera, California. He enlisted in Calgary, Alberta, on December 10, 1917, and trained at Sarcee Camp with the 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment before proceeding overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Pte. Bacino embarked for Eng

Private William Enfante endured the brutal realities of gas warfare while serving Canada on the Western Front during the final year of the First World War. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 31st Battalion Private William Enfante was born on 25 September 1891 in Venice, Italy, and later emigrated to Canada. On 31 August 1917, he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Calgary, Alberta, naming his mother, Mrs. Silas Enfante of Venice, Italy, as his n

This section presents Italian Canadian men who enlisted in Calgary during the First World War and served within the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Canada. Many were assigned to the 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment and undertook their initial military training at Sarcee Camp, southwest of the city, a principal training and mobilization centre for recruits from across southern Alberta. Depot battalions functioned as regional intake, training, and reinforcement formations

Italian-Canadian recruits from southern Alberta trained at Sarcee Camp and were attached to the 1st Depot Battalion, Alberta Regiment before departing for England and reinforcing Canadian frontline battalions in France and Belgium during the First World War.

The First World War - The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 113th & 16th Battalions Pte. Frank Savino was born on March 14, 1891, in “Fojje,” Italy, likely referring to Foggia in southern Italy. He worked as a labourer and resided in Lethbridge, Alberta, where his mother was also living at the time of his enlistment. He enlisted in Lethbridge on August 26, 1916, joining the 113th Battalion (Lethbridge Highlanders), a unit raised in southern Alberta that drew recruits from across

Corporal Toni Moro earned the Military Medal for extraordinary bravery under fire during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force The 50th Battalion (Calgary) Toni Moro was a decorated Italian-born soldier who served with distinction in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) during the First World War. He was born on 7 March 1895 in the quiet village of Campo Casso, Italy. Like many of his generation, he sought a new life across the Atlan

Private Valentino Rinaldi served on the Western Front during the final months of the First World War before returning to help build life in Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 31st Battalion, CEF Private Valentino Rinaldi was born on 29 November 1891 in Sedegliano, Italy. He immigrated to Canada as a young man, eventually settling in Blairmore, Alberta, where he worked as a labourer. A Roman Catholic and single at the time of enlist

Private Mino Pigot survived some of the First World War’s most brutal battles while serving with one of Calgary’s most distinguished battalions. 82nd Battalion cap badge The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force The 82nd and 50th Battalion (Calgary) Mino Pigot was born on 18 January 1885 in Deitzzano, Udine, Italy, the son of Giacinto. His occupation was listed as labourer and he had been living in Canada for 11 years when he enlisted with The Canadian Expeditiona

Private Louis Togno served Canada during the final and most intense phase of the First World War on the Western Front. The First World War 49th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force Louis Togno was born on 5 September 1890, with his place of birth recorded in his First World War service file as “Viena, Italy.” This entry does not correspond to a known geographic location and is best understood as a clerical or phonetic rendering entered at enlistment, when formal documentat

Private Rocco Iafrate helped supply the Allied war effort through the vital and dangerous work of the Canadian Forestry Corps during the First World War. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force Canadian Forestry Corps Rocco Iafrate was born in Sant’Elia Fiumerapido, Italy, on 16 January 1890, the son of Franco. He was living in Crossfield, Alberta, working as a labourer, with his trade listed as farmer, when he enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force, Fore

Private Enrico Bot answered Canada’s call during the First World War, serving overseas during the final stages of the conflict. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 21st Reserve Battalion Private Enrico Bot was born on 6 June 1886 in Morsano al Tagliamento, Pordenone, Italy, and later emigrated to Canada. He worked as a furnace man and moulder, a skilled industrial occupation common among Italian immigrants in Western Canada. On enlistment under the Military

Twice wounded in battle, Private Carlo Forzani served Canada with courage during both world wars. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 10th Battalion (Canadians) Private Carlo Forzani was born in Borgomanero, Italy, on 13 August 1896, according to a certified civil birth record issued by the Comune di Borgomanero (record accessed via Ancestry). His 1915 Canadian Expeditionary Force attestation papers list his birth as 1 August 1897. He immigrated to North Ame

Despite multiple wounds and the hardships of war, Private Antonio Russello continued serving Canada through the end of the First World War. The First World War The Canadian Expeditionary Force, 31st Battalion Private Antonio Russello was born in Kaggi (as recorded in service file), likely Caggi, Messina, Italy, on May 12, 1886. He enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Calgary on January 5, 1916. His next of kin was listed as his mother, Gaetana Russello, residing in