Killed in Action

San Tommaso

30 December 1943

Pte Robert Cumming Blyth was killed in action while cleaning out the town of San Tommaso, part of the mopping up after the battalion had penetrated over 2 miles 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 knew 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 Leitch Blyth; husband of Victoria Alexander Mary Blyth, of 723 St Clarens Avenue, Toronto 4, Ontario. They had married on 22 Jun 1936. Blyth had four sisters and a predeceased brother John.

Bobby Blyth joined the 48th Highlanders (Militia) on 5 April 1926 (family records suggest 1925 when he was underage) and became a piper in the Pipe Band on 5 April 1929, with the document for transfer to the pipe band signed by Pipe Major Fraser. It is likely he was with the Pipe Band from the beginning but the Pipe Major didn’t accept people formally until they had been trained fully. When war was declared Blyth immediately enlisted for overseas duty on 6 September 1939 as did 3/4 of the militia regiment. He was given the service number B72773. With the 1st Battalion he departed Toronto by CN train for Halifax, embarking on 18 December 1939 on the Reina del Pacifico as part of the convoy of the 1st Canadian Division to England. He was with the battalion, training, then to France from 13 to 16 June 1940, two weeks after the evacuation of British and allied troops at Dunkirk. The battalion returned to England that month to continue training and coastal defence. Blyth qualified Piper Group C on 1 Jun 1943. On 28 June 1943 the battalion embarked on HM Troopship Derbyshire for the landings at Pachino, Sicily on 10 July 1943. Bobby Blyth was with the battalion through the battles of Sicily, the landings at Reggio di Calabria, Italy in early September, the advance chasing the Germans to Campobasso and the advance to Ortona culminating in the 48th Highlanders outflanking Ortona, by a daring penetration in single file at night to a defensive position over 2 miles behind German lines. After beating off the Germans for 3 days (24 to 27 December) over Christmas 1943 the battalion participated in the actions chasing the Germans during which Blyth was killed on 30 December.

A letter from the regiment’s Padre, Capt Stewart East told of Bobby Blyth’s deep connection to the men of the battalion:  “He served the 48th Highlanders long and well. He was one of the few who was able to endure the privations of war and the conflict of battle. How he did so I’ll never know for while others were forced to take time out to rest he carried on. I always knew that when I visited Dog Company, I should find Bobby Blyth’s encouraging smile to help me on my way. Then one day a shell hit a tree above his trench. Death was mercifully speedy for the blast and metal had combined to end his life instantly. His burial was attended by many of those who had played in the band for many years.”

Pte Robert Blyth was buried initially at “MR 312163, sheet 141/2 NW Ortona, south side of road where the road make 90 degree bend – Grave A2”. He was reburied later at the Moro River Cemetery.

This page is supported in honour of Piper Blyth by his great niece Beverley Hubbard