70th Infantry Brigade War Diary October 1942.
1st October 1942
The Brigade Major returned from 10 days’ privilege leave.
Training films were shown in KINGTON Cinema to members of the Brigade Group.
The finals of the inter-unit 7-a-side Rugby competition were played, 10th DLI being successful entrants.
2nd October 1942
The G.1 of 49 Division visited Brigade HQ. The Brigade Commander and Brigade Major were present at a T.E.W.T. held by 11th DLI.
3rd October 1942
Vacancies were allocated on the Snow and Winter Warfare Course held in Scotland. The Brigade Commander left to attend the first short six day instruction.
A six-mile cross-country run became compulsory for all members of the Brigade, to be run every Thursday afternoon.
Two further RAF Officers were attached to the Brigade for a period of three days.
6th October 1942
A security lecture was given at Divisional HQ by Mr Buller from M.I. 9. The data given was to be passed on to only a limited few. A representative from Ford Motors gave a lecture to all Motor Transport personnel.
7th October 1942
A lecture on “Evasion of Capture” was given by Mr Buller to all above the rank of Sergeant within the Brigade Group.
8th October 1942
An exercise for all personnel in Brigade HQ was held. All ranks except the Duty Officer and five Other Ranks attended. (No details of the exercise survive in the file at The National Archives).
9th October 1942
A third endeavour was made to get the Brigade into Winter Quarters.
The Staff Captain attended a Divisional conference concerning Exercise “SPREAD” – concerning a move to the CHEPSTOW area. (Again, details do not survive in the War Diary file).
10th October 1942
The Brigade Major and the Staff Captain reconnoitred the CHEPSTOW area and decided that, even though accommodation appeared adequate, training areas would be a problem.
11th October 1942
The Brigade Major left to attend Snow and Mountain Warfare Course No 2. During this week, four Rugby and five Soccer matches were played.
12th October 1942
The Brigade Commander returned from the Winter Warfare Course and was visited by G. 1. 49 Division.
14th October 1942
The Brigade Commander left to attend a short course at the School of Infantry (Tactical Wing) BARNARD CASTLE. Lt Col J.H.N. Poett, 11th DLI, attended the same course.
15th October 1942
The G.O.C. visited the Camps which were still standing up remarkably well to constant use, despite the inclement weather.
17th October 1942
The first of a fortnightly series of “I” Conferences was held at 49 Division.
18th October 1942
The Senior Chaplain held Morning Service in the unit Camps.
19th October 1942
The Brigade Major returned from the Snow and Winter Warfare Course in INVERNESS-SHIRE.
20th October 1942
Captain J.R. Haslegrave, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was posted to the Brigade as Staff Captain from the HQ of 49 Division.
22nd October 1942
The Brigade Commander returned from the course at the School of Infantry.
24th October 1942
A conference was held at Brigade HQ, preparatory to a discussion on Artillery to be held at Divisional HQ on 26th November. The C.Os. of Battalions and the Field Regiment, the Officer commanding Q Battery, 88 Anti-Tank Regiment and a representative of the Brigade Support Company attended.
25th October 1942
In view of the continued bad weather in the “Summer” Camp, an issue of rum was authorised for all personnel still under canvas.
26th October 1942
An Artillery discussion was held at the BARN, WHITNEY-ON-WYE from 10:00 to 16:30 hours. Captain J.H. Trail, Staff Captain since the beginning of the War, left Brigade HQ on being posted to 14th DLI.
A message was received from 49 Divisional HQ that 70th Infantry Brigade would now move to the BARROW-IN-FURNESS area and reconnaissance parties would have to leave at once. This was the sixth suggested area for the next move for this Brigade.
27th October 1942
Unit reconnaissance parties left by road under the command of the Staff Captain for the BARROW-IN-FURNESS area.
30th October 1942
The Brigade Commander, Brigade Major and Staff Captain attended a conference at 49 Divisional HQ on the forthcoming move. It was agreed that the Main Body would leave KINGTON on 2nd November. The Brigade Commander, Brigade Major and C.Os. would have to stay behind in order to attend a Cloth Model Exercise at Divisional HQ on 3rd November.
31st October 1942
An inter-Brigade Rugby Football match was played in HEREFORD – 70th Infantry Brigade versus 146th Infantry Brigade. Advance Parties left KINGTON for ULVERSTON and DALTON-IN-FURNESS.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
