Lt. G. O. C. (Gibbie) Phibbs joined the 2nd Battalion, 48th Highlanders in Toronto and is shown in a 1940 newspaper article as one of the 52 officers of the 2nd Battalion who were training for service in the Second World War. Once in England he joined the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders and was left in England in the Holding Unit when the battalion sailed in June 1943 for the landing at Sicily. He was transferred to the battalion and assigned to Able Company when the battalion was at Torella, north of Campobasso in November as part of Operation Pouch in which some officers and NCOs of the 1st Battalion were sent back to England to supply the Canadian division still there with battle experienced leaders. He was wounded on 17 December 1943 as the battalion prepared for its action outflanking The Gully leading to Ortona in Operation Morning Glory.
