February 11, 2026. One of the cemeteries that Pieter was assigned when he became a volunteer under the National Volunteer Program for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) last year was Kelly’s Cross (St. Joseph) Parish Cemetery in Kelly’s Cross, Prince Edward Island.  There is only one CWGC war grave at this cemetery…. that of WWII soldier Michael ‘Cecil’ STORDY, who died June 14, 1945, aged 19.

….Two brothers gave their lives in WWII…

When Pieter visited the cemetery last summer to inspect the grave, he noticed a memorial outside St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.  When he took a look at the memorial, he saw, to his surprise, that there were two Stordys listed – Michael ‘Cecil’ and John ‘Lawrence’. 

A curious Pieter looked up RCAF Flight Sergeant John ‘Lawrence’ Stordy, and discovered that this was Cecil’s older brother, who had died in Germany on April 27, 1943, aged 22.  “…We have to tell the stories of both brothers….” he said.    

We began with Cecil, who is buried in Kelly’s Cross, in a CWGC grave.

….A photo came from Cecil’s younger sister…

Born May 8, 1926 in Brookvale, Prince Edward Island, Cecil was the son of John ‘Anthony’ and Mary ‘Ermina’ (nee Duffy) Stordy.  When he enlisted at the No. 6 District Depot in Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 16, 1945, he stated that he had completed Grade 8 and was working on his father’s farm.

On March 23, 1945, Cecil was sent to No. 60 Canadian Army (Basic) Training Centre in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, for basic training.  After successfully completing his basic training, on May 20, 1945, he was next sent to A14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre (CITC) – Camp Aldershot in Aldershot, Nova Scotia, and assigned to ‘E’ Company.

A photo of Cecil was submitted by Patti W Noonan, who explained that the photo came from the late Bernadette ‘Bernie’ Stordy Noonan, the youngest sister of Cecil and Lawrence.  Patti wrote “….my husband – Sgt Barry Noonan, RCMP (Rtd) is Bernadette’s son and the grand-nephew of both Cecil and Lawrence. He is a member of our Legion and proudly remembers them at our November 11 ceremonies as well as the December Candlelighting. …”

….A drowning accident claimed Cecil’s life…

Camp Aldershot primarily featured infrastructure for land-based warfare, such as rifle ranges, trench systems, and bayonet assault courses. While undergoing infantry training at Aldershot, Cecil was part of a group involved in a swimming exercise on June 14, 1945. Swimming training was designed for ‘water-proofing’ soldiers and conducting emergency, wet-gap crossings. 

According to Cecil’s service file, the exercise took place at Peach Lake, which likely was near Kentville, in one of the water areas frequently used for training, including water obstacle courses and swimming. 

The exercise began around 2 pm. Unfortunately Cecil accidentally drowned about half an hour later, at 2:30 pm. According to a Court of Inquiry Report into the accident, Cecil “…got on a raft in the area used for swimming, got into water over his depth, was unable to hang onto the raft, and went under the surface.

 His body was found and artificial respiration was commenced and continued while being transferred to hospital and after 2 hours he was pronounced dead…”

….Cecil was buried in St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery in Kelly’s Cross…

On June 17, 1945, Cecil was buried in St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery in Kelly’s Cross, Prince Edward Island.  Reverend Ayers stated that he “….officiated at the services in the church and at the grave.  Sgt Thomas Whelan of the 17th Armoured Regiment, Charlottetown, was in charge of the firing party….”

Patti wrote that “….all of the family is very proud of the sacrifice by Lawrence and Cecil…” and rightly so.

Coming up in Part 2, the Stordy Brothers series continues, with John ‘Lawrence’ STORDY, who lost his life in Germany in 1943.

Thank you to Patti Noonan and the late Bernadette Stordy Noonan for providing a photo. Do you have a story to tell? Email Pieter at memorialtrail@gmail.com or comment on the blog. 

© Daria Valkenburg

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