John Edward Lloyd enlisted with the 48th Highlanders (militia) on 03 April 1939. When war was declared in September, Lloyd stepped forward, as did ¾ of the battalion, to enlist for overseas duty. He was given the service number B73258. Following training, largely at the CNE Grounds in Toronto with barracks in the Horse Palace, the battalion boarded a CN train on 17 December for Halifax where they embarked on the Reina del Pacifico as part of the convoy carrying the 1st Canadian contingent overseas. They disembarked at Gourock Scotland in the Clyde on 30 December, then travelled by train to Aldershot arriving New Year’s Day. In June 1940, the battalion was sent to France, two weeks after the evacuation of the British and Allied forces from the beaches of Dunkerque. After penetrating 300 km into France, they were ordered back, which they did by commandeering their train to go to St Malo and catch the last of 2 ships leaving the harbour. The battalion returned to continue training and to be coastal defence.
Pte Lloyd attended and qualified at Driver Mechanic school from 21 June to 2 Aug 1941. In December, he and other members of the battalion received the Good Conduct Badge, “To be worn on the left forearm of Battle Dress blouse”. In July 1942, now in HQ Company, Lloyd and all members off the battalion were assessed 1 Shilling for barrack damages at Aldershot’s Corunna Barracks. (A lower amount then originally proposed after the battalion proved that when they arrived at the barracks the damage was already in place.) On 1 January 1943, he received a pay increase to $1.50 per day for 6 month’s proficient service.
On 14 May 1943 Pte Lloyd was Struck Off Strength of the 1st Battalion to 4 CIRU (Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit) and remained in England while the battalion prepared to sail to Sicily for the landings at Pachino on 10 July. On 25 May 1944, Lloyd, now a Sergeant, was taken on strength in Italy of the 1st Battalion’s X-4 list (Highlanders in theatre, available for reinforcement) from 1 CCD. At this time the battalion was at rest at Piedmonte d’Alife in Italy following their breaching of the Adolph Hitler Line, at Pontecorvo, south of Rome. Sgt Lloyd was sent to hospital on 8 June 1944.
(Our records do not record his activities between the UK in May 43 to Italy in June 44, the details requiring him to be sent to hospital, nor his service after hospital – Service records required.)
NOK: (wife) Ruby at “B” 691 Glencairn Avenue, Toronto. Another record has an address of 58 Milwood Road, Toronto.
