B75120 Pte William Thornhill enlisted with the 48th Highlanders of Canada in Toronto. In Italy, on the X-4 list (Highlanders held as reinforcements in theatre) he was “attached for all purposes from the 48th Highlanders X-4 list w.e.f. 23 August 1943 for one day only”. The following order made this permanent and adjusted his pay “reverts to regimental pay 1.50 per diem”. He was assigned to BHQ (Battalion Headquarters Company) as Clerk Group C. . On 9 October 1943 he is shown as “strength decrease” leaving the battalion.
Pte Thornhill arrived in Sicily to join the 1st Battalion On 23 August while the battalion was at rest having just completed that campaign and awaiting sailing for mainland Italy at Reggio di Calabria on 3 September. Actions then saw the battalion advancing across the “foot” and fighting up the Adriatic coast and beginning the assault to Campobasso on 3 October, ending on 13 October during which Pte Thornhill left the battalion. (more research required)