Lt. Robert Free (Bobs) Osler joined the 2nd Battalion 48th Highlanders in 1940 to train for overseas duty. Once in England he joined the 1st Battalion 48th Highlanders and was appointed to Charlie Company. on 26 April 1943, in response to the army adding a Company to the battalion, Osler became platoon commander of 18 Platoon, Dog Company a position he held when the battalion sailed in June for the landings in Sicily. At Nissoria on  July 26 1943,  Dog Company’s approach to the crest of Monte di Nissoria was up a giant staircase of cliffs interspersed by flat ground.  The crest they reached turned out to be a false crest with the Germans holding the higher ground and firing down on them. “Despite the growing hopelessness of Dog’s position, Lt. Bobs Osler valiantly tried to complete the out-flanking operation on the German positions lower down on the right. The Germans were strongly dug-in on slightly higher ground ahead of them. In the confusion, Lt. Osler ordered his men to take cover – any cover – and exposed himself recklessly in trying to get them into a secure position. He was heading to a spot from where he might set up a Bren to dominate the enemy fire, when he risked too much. He was hit in the head, and instantly killed. (Dileas – page 285-7)