by Sam McBride

Eighty years ago my father Leigh Morgan McBride and his younger brother Kenneth Gilbert McBride were lieutenants of the Vancouver-based Seaforth Highlanders of Canada regiment in the thick of one of the fiercest battles of WW2, the Battle of Ortona (Dec. 20-28, 1943). Against all odds, the Seaforths were able to enjoy a very brief, but much appreciated, Christmas dinner in a church just a few blocks from the building-to-building and hand-to-hand fighting. It was one of the few “feel good” stories to come out of the war at that time.

1944 would be a tough year for the McBride family, as Leigh was seriously wounded and lost an eye from grenade shrapnel in the attack on the Hitler Line in May. Some German soldiers found him unconscious and took him as a prisoner for medical treatment. He was listed as “missing in action” for four months until word came from the Red Cross in September that he was alive and recovering at a hospital in Germany. His parents were in the middle of celebrating the good news about Leigh when a telegram arrived Ken and his driver were killed when their jeep ran over a road mine near Rimini. Leigh made it back to Nelson in a prisoner exchange in late January 1945.

Lieutenant Leigh Morgan McBride, one of the serving officers at the famous Christmas dinner in Ortona

After the war, Leigh made regular trips to Vancouver for treatment for his lingering injuries at the Shaughnessy Veterans Hospital. There was still some shrapnel left in his legs that years later would set off metal detectors at airports.

In 1975 Leigh was among 300 Canadian veterans to attend the 30th anniversary of the Italian Campaign led by Veterans Affairs minister Daniel McDonald, who himself was seriously injured in Italy, losing his left arm and leg in battle there. Leigh preferred to put the war behind him and normally did not participate in reunions, but was strongly encouraged by his Seaforth friends to go to this one, as it included a memorial ceremony at the Coriano Ridge cemetery which has Ken’s grave, which he had never visited.

Captain Kenneth Gilbert McBride (1920-1944), was a lieutenant along with his brother Leigh at Ortona in December 1943. He was killed in September 1944 near Rimini by a roadside mine.

The two-week-long reunion would be Leigh’s last visit to the battlefields and cemeteries in Italy, but the experience led him to take a great interest in Italian art and architecture, which would be — along with golf — his hobby for the rest of his life.

Leigh Morgan McBride (second from right) with fellow Seaforth Highlanders of Canada veterans in April 1975 at the 30th anniversary of the Canadians in Italy, as they were vigourously thanked by a local resident.
Leigh McBride (right) with Seaforth pal Borden Cameron during the return to Ortona on April 29, 1975. Cameron was quartermaster who came up with the supplies for the famous Christmas dinner.
From left, Leigh McBride, Bert Hoffmeister and Borden Cameron, as they took a side trip to Venice after the 30th anniversary ceremonies.
Leigh and Seaforth comrades at Coriano Ridge cemetery where his brother Ken G. McBride is buried.
Ravenna parade that was part of the Canadians in Italy 30th anniversary reunion.