Personal Profile Collections
Cpl. Patrick Michael Cahill
Killed in Action May 25, 1944small.jpg)
Short Biography:
Patrick Cahill, or Pat as he was better known, was born and raised in L’Ardoise, Richmond County, NS. He came from a large farming family of eleven children born to Julia (nee Sampson) and William Cahill. Pat attended grade school and worked on the family farm. His trade was listed as blacksmith.
Pat enlisted in the Cape Breton Highlanders in June, 1940 in Sydney, NS. At that time, the battalion was still training and performing guard duties in Cape Breton. He trained with the battalion in Canada and went overseas with them to the U.K. in November, 1941 and on to Italy in October/November, 1943. Pat was promoted to lance-corporal while still in Canada and corporal while in the U.K.
Pat was killed in action in Italy on May 25, 1944, during the fighting to break through the Adolph Hitler Line defences south of Rome. The Cape Breton Highlanders were involved in the push to enlarge a bridgehead across the Melfa River. They worked closely with the tanks of the 8th Princess Louise’s New Brunswick Hussars. As discussed during a 1992 interview with Pat's sister, Mrs. Beulah Middleton, she had heard that Pat had been killed when run over by a friendly tank during the confusion of battle.
Pat was in Support Company when he was killed and held the rank of corporal. He was 27 years old at the time. He was laid to rest in Cassino War Cemetery, Cassino, Italy.
Pat’s brother Henry was also in the army. He served in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps and died of wounds on February 28, 1945. He is buried in Holland.
For additional information on Pat Cahill, refer to the following online source:
- The Canadian Virtual War Memorial - A website by Veterans Affairs Canada. The page on Pat Cahill contains basic information and burial information.
Notes on the Collection:
I would like to thank Mrs. Beulah Middleton of L'Ardoise, Richmond County, Cape Breton, sister of Pat Cahill. I met with her in 1992. She was kind enough of provide me with family information and allowed me to copy photos of her brother. The Statement of Service in Section 3 is from my own collection.