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Page 1 48th Highlanders of Canada

Montalto, Italy; 1 March 45; Appx 5 - Sec Instr No 1

Weather - Sunny
Brig J. D. B. Smith, CBE, COE, DSO, Comd1 Can Inf Bde, carried out a general
tour of inspection to-day in the battalion area. During the course of it he con-
gratualted Capt W.G.Angus, Lt J. E. Pickering, Sgt J. T Church all of whom were the
recipients of awards for gallantry announce yesterday. C5868 Pte Bray J. A (dec'd)
was awarded the D.C.M posthumously.

This evening a cocktail party was held at 'A' Mess now set up together with
Officers' Quarters in the house of the Comtessa SOCCONI. Lts H.W.D Kilgour and
D. G. Watson came down for a drink followed by dinner at 1930 hours.

Montalto, Italy; 2 March 45; Appx 2 - Part 11 Order 20/45; Appx 6 - Route card of move by road

Weather - Sunny
For several days the coys have been enthusiastically preparing for a foot
and arms drill competition which was held this morning. Each coy 'fieldedl 3 pls
of 30 men each with a proper complement of Officers and NCO's. Each coy was
won the competition. Contestants were given 30 minutes each and were marked for
drill, deportment and dress.

Dinner at 'A' mess was a half hour later than usual to permit the officers
to see 'Bing Crosby' in 'Going My Way' at the Montalto Cinema which is a reproduc-
tion in miniture of an Opera House.

This morning recce parties consisting of 1 x 15cwt from each coy, coy 21/c,
and 3 Ors per coy, as well as a jeep and HUP for the 21/c and the party for BHQ &
HQ Coy left for a staging area in Foligno. Prior to leaving all marks of identirica-
tion were removed both from personnel and vehs.