Records show B75424 Pte Dickie, P. M. in Italy, in BHQ, being transferred on 26 May 1944 from the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders  to their X-3 list. (The X-3 is those in hospital, back from the battalion’s  Field Ambulance), suggesting more than a simple injury or sickness. Pte Dickie had lied about his age when he joined the 48th Highlanders in Toronto for overseas duty as he wanted to be with his brother, a Lieutenant in the 48th. He was with the 1st Battalion in Italy prior to 26 May 1944 and was injured, or became ill, during or just after the breaching of the Hitler Line by the 48th on 22/23 May. It is likely that he was in the battles of the Liri Valley and the Hitler Line.

Pte Dickie was transferred  one month later on 27 June 1944 from the X-3 List to the X-4 List (those recovered and ready to return to the battalion when called up.). Dickie was with the battalion in The Netherlands, embarking from NWE on 4 September 1945 and disembarking in the UK on 5 September, as part of the journey home to Canada by the battalion.

After the war, Peter Dickie told his family of his time at several locations in Italy:

. Avellino – this was a training camp for soldiers coming from Canada. Brigadier Haldenby, who had taken the 48^th Overseas in 1939 as CO, insisted that the new soldiers, who had not been trained completely, or at all, in Canada must be trained. He ran the training camp

. near Monte Cassino – this was the peak at the head and to the east of the Liri Valley that overlooked the valley and the Adolph Hitler Line defenses at Pontecorvo. The army, and the 48^th , fought up the Liri Valley and then the 48^th breached the Hitler Line alone, despite Hitler’s claim that it was unbeatable

. Ravenna – the marshes in that area were the last actions  in Italy for the 48^th in February 1945

. Aachen in Holland, perhaps on leave after the war ended and before leaving for the UK on the way back to Canada..

We can infer, (requiring more research to confirm) that Peter was in the battles in Italy that followed his placement on the X-4 list. Soldiers were needed so the X-4 list would have been called upon quickly. He was also likely in the battle to liberate Apeldoorn in April 45.

NOK: Mother  – Mrs. Gwen Dickie, 56 Highland Ave., Toronto