Rome War Cemetery
| Rome War Cemetery | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country: | Italy |
| Coordinates: | |
| Type: | Public |
| Owned by: | Commonwealth War Graves Commission |
| Number of gravesites: | 422 |
| Website: | Rome War Cemetery |
The Rome War Cemetery is a cemetery in Italy containing mostly burials from the occupying garrison and from the surounding area who died in Italy during the Second World War. There are 22 Canadians buried in the cemetery.
History
On 3 September 1943 the Allies invaded the Italian mainland, the invasion coinciding with an armistice made with the Italians who then re-entered the war on the Allied side.
Progress through southern Italy was rapid despite stiff resistance, but the advance was checked for some months at the German winter defensive position known as the Gustav Line. Operations in January 1944 landed troops behind the German lines at Anzio, but a breakthrough was not achieved until 18 May when, after fierce fighting, Cassino finally fell to the Allies.
Rome was taken on 3 June 1944 as the German withdrawal continued. The cemetery was started shortly afterwards and was used mainly for burials from the occupying garrison, but a few graves were brought in from the surrounding country, and some soldiers and airmen who died as prisoners of war in Rome are also buried there.
Location
Rome War Cemetery lies alongside and within the Aurelian Walls of the ancient city of Rome. It is reached from the Piazza Venezia, the centre of Rome, by going down the Via dei Fori Imperiali, past the Coliseum, and along the Viale Aventino as far as the Porta San Paolo. Before reaching this gate and the monument Pyramid of Caius Cestius, take the road to the right along the wall of the Protestant Cemetery, in which the poets Keats and Shelley are buried. Across the road at the far end of that cemetery, you will see Rome War Cemetery.
Cemetery address: Via Nicola Zabaglia 50 - 00153 Roma (RM) Lazio.
"We Rest Here"
The following members of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals are buried here.
| Headstone | Service Number | Rank and Name | Grave Location |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
B32151 | Sigmn JLN King | II, F, 23. |
 |
- | Lt MC McKinnon | II, B, 19. |