Lieutenant-Colonel W.C. Dick
Lanark and Renfrew Scottish

By his untiring efforts he obtained the necessary extra officers from infantry units throughout the Corps, personally selected all key personnel from the reinforcement unit and arranged special training for the unit’s reinforcements … The organization and training of a Battalion in forty-one days, in addition to services previously mentioned, adequately demonstrate qualities which are deserving of the highest recognition.

 (O.B.E. citation, 28 Apr 1945)

In July 1944, Allied military leaders in Italy decided that the 5th Armoured Division required additional infantry regiments beyond the 11th Infantry Brigade. As the Allies had achieved air superiority, the 1st Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was converted from artillery to infantry as part of the newly formed 12th Infantry Brigade. On 20 July, Lieutenant-Colonel William Clement Dick arrived as replacement for Lieutenant-Colonel F.J. Thorne. Born on 10 December 1912 in Toronto, Dick had fought at Dieppe and briefly served as brigade major for the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade in Italy.

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