Ludovic Turnbull enlisted with the 48th Highlanders in Toronto on 12 March 1940 and was given the service number B74052. . Following training, partly at the CNE Grounds in Toronto with barracks in the Horse Palace, he was discharged from the 48th Highlanders Depot on 14 July 1940, with orders to proceed overseas as reinforcement.

In the UK he was with the 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders but remained behind when the battalion sailed from Gourock, Scotland on 28 June 1943 for the landings at Pachino, Sicily on 9 July. Family indicate he was  in Sicily that suggests he was in the “Slow convoy” that arrived in Sicily after 9 July.

Orders, attached to the War Diaries next record Pte Turnbull being taken on strength from the X-4 list by the active battalion on 24 December 1944. On that day, the battalion sent its infantry companies over 2 miles behind the German lines, going single file at night, and set up an all-round defence in a location west of the city of Ortona. Their position threatened the only roads in or out of Ortona that the Germans could use for resupply or retreat.  The records do not say if Pte Turnbull was placed in an infantry company for that action or placed in HQ or Support companies who remained out of battle. However, was likely in the action beginning 27 December in which the battalion began chasing the retreating Germans.

In February he was attached temporarily to Headquarters, 1st Canadian Division from 5 to 14 February 1944, then returned to the battalion.

Records don’t show him leaving the battalion but he was not on the Sailing List from Leghorn, Italy (near Genoa) to Marseille, France on 12 March 1945. The 1st Canadian Division was moving to Belgium to complete the liberation of Holland. Family members indicate he was in Belgium and may have been with the 1st Division, but not the 48th Highlanders, for any actions in Holland. Service records required to determine whether he was with the battalion for the battles of the Hitler Line, The Gothic and Rimini Lines and the Lamone River crossing.

NOK: mother, Mrs. J Turnbull at 39 Lappin Avenue, Toronto, changed to 33 in a later document.