Branch 480 Westboro, 389 – 391 Richmond Road
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
Time: Doors open at 1:30 p.m. · Film begins at 2:00 p.m. Sharp
Imagine being 74 years old before you finally learn the truth about your earliest years, your very identity.
Gino was just five when he was found alone and frightened near Torrice, Italy, amid the chaos of the Second World War. Canadian soldiers took him in and offered safety and kindness when he needed it most. It was a small act, but one that would echo through generations.
Decades later, an unexpected letter and an old photograph stirred memories of a childhood nearly lost to war and began an extraordinary search for his past. The soldiers who cared for that frightened little boy could never have known the impact of their kindness or that it would still be remembered more than 80 years later.
Some stories of war are told through battles that are won and lost. This one is told through the eyes of a child.
Against the devastation of the Italian Campaign, Gino: A Child of War reminds us that war’s true cost is measured in the lives of ordinary people, especially children, caught in its path. It is also a story of hope, compassion, and the bonds that survive even the darkest times.
As the Legion marks 100 years of honouring those who served, Gino’s story offers a powerful way to remember the Canadian soldiers whose humanity shone through the horrors of war. And as conflicts around the world continue to affect children and families today, his story remains as relevant as ever.
Stay after the film to meet the film’s Executive Producer Tony Battista, a close friend of Gino’s. Hear the story behind the story, ask your questions, and share a drink from the cash bar.
You may arrive expecting a story about war. You will leave remembering a five-year-old boy and the Canadian soldiers who refused to abandon him.
In just one hour, Gino’s remarkable story may stay with you long after the film ends.
Watch the trailer:
Gino: A Child of War, Trailer
ONLY 125 seats are available. Anyone interested in Canadian military history, remembrance, or a remarkable human story is encouraged to reserve early, as tickets are selling out quickly.
Reserve your ticket by contacting: Diane at westoborolegion480events@gmail.com
Diane Belanger-Vena