M104609, Pte Cissell, Joseph Gordon enlisted at #13 District Depot in Alberta. After going to the UK he joined the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders. While the 1st Battalion embarked for the Sicily, landing at Pachino on 10 July 1943, Pte Cissell travelled in the slow convoy from Scotland to Sicily, and reached the 1st Battalion on 11 August, just after they had completed their Sicilian campaign. The battalion was preparing to leave the next day from their rest camp at Carcaci on the Simeto River which was home to the malaria mosquito. The battalion moved on 12 August to Militello, an arid but mosquito free location. Records show him again being taken on strength by the battalion on 2 January 1944 from the X-4 list (Highlanders available for reinforcement.) When and why he left the battalion between 11 August 43 and 25 Jan 44 is not recorded (will require Service Records). From January through April 44 the battalion was on the Arielli River, conducting fighting patrols into the German’s Gothic Line to determine their positions and strength. Pte Cissell remained with the battalion for the battles of the Liri Valley, Hitler Line, Gothic Line and Rimini Line. He, and other members of the battalion were awarded the CVSM and clasp on May 44 and the 1939-1943 Star in July.

Following the successful crossing of the Lamone River on 10 December 1944, Cissell, now a Corporal, was wounded – shrapnel wound to the spine – on 21 December and was sent to the Regimental Aid Post. Cpl Cissell is not in our records after 21 December. He was awarded a Mentioned In Dispatches (MID).

NOK: Mrs. Alice Cissell, Crossfield, Alberta.