Gunner Rosenthal enlisted in the army in February 1942, and went overseas with the Royal Canadian Artillery in June of the same year. Born in Montreal in 1921, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Saul Rosenthal of Hutchison Street. Prior to his enlistment, he had worked for The Canadian Press. He had been an editor of the Fortnightly Review. In one of his last reports to the Y.M.H.A. Beacon, he had written: "And when the air is once again clear from the smoky dust of fire, and when the blood of the dead and the wounded is dry, and the stench of human bodies is pure, the men who are alive after victory is achieved, with God's aid, will return... "For they (the dead) shall not have fallen in vain. Not in a world where our holy sanctuaries are safe and unmolested, in a world where organizations, institutions of culture and learning and education are respected and upheld and supported. No price is too great to pay. No life too precious, to enforce our beliefs and ideals". 
(Canadian Jewish Congress publication: Canadian Jews in World War II, Part II Casualties.)

Grave Reference: D, A, 392.
Location: Agira Canadian War Cemetery lies in the Commune of Agira, Province of Enna, in the centre of Sicily. From the autostrada A19, Catania-Palermo, take the exit to Catenanuova. Follow signposts to Regalbuto, then pass Regalbuto, going in the direction of Agira. The Cemetery is then signposted about 12 km from Regalbuto. The cemetery is permanently open and may be visited anytime. 
 
 

Information courtesy of the Commmonwealth War Graves Commission.