While cleaning out the town of Sam Tommaso, part of the mopping up after the battalion had penetrating 1.2 km behind the German lines and fought a three day battle on all sides. The successful action, west of Ortona, threatened the only road in and out of the town available to the Germans who withdrew from the town after a vicious house to house defense.

“One of the men killed on the 30th spelled tragedy for Dog Company. In every sound fighting unit there are always indomitable personalities who are much of its heart and backbone. Such was Piper Bobby Blythe. A shell splinter had struck him in the back. A former stretcher-bearer, he was now the Company’s H.Q. cook. He was also confidante and comfort for the nervous new soldier and a rock of dependence for the veterans. If a man of Dog was wounded, he could wait without panic; he know either Cpl Vaughan or Bobby Blythe would come running – though Bobby was no longer officially a stretcher-bearer.” Dileas page 485.

NOK: Son of Thomas and Janet Blyth; husband of Victoria A. M. Blyth, of Toronto, Ontario.