143rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. War Diary October 1941

1 October 1941 Reykjavik.

Force Exercise cancelled through bad weather. Hailstorms.

2 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Showery.

3 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Fine.

4 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Large mail arrives. Raining.

5 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Very heavy rain.

6 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Very fine and sunny.

7 October 1941

Force Signals Exercise No. 11. RHQ at Alvid? Bridge. Rain but fine later.

8 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Fine.

9 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Fine.

10 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Fine.

11 October 1941

Chaplain reported by NCO in command of guard as being drunk. Chaplain placed under arrest by C.O. at 10:10 hours. C.R.A. and A + Q and Senior Chaplain to the Forces informed. Fine, wet later.

12 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Very wet.

13 October 1941

Battery Sergeant Major Philpin courtmartialled at Borganes. Summary evidence re ? ? ? the Bunkers Hill.

A Troop 366 Battery and B Troop 366 Battery changed locations. Wet.

14 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Force Exercise No.12. 366 and 386 Batteries started moving to ? Showery.

15 October 1941

Force Exercise No. 12 cancelled 16:00 hours. Roads very muddy. Wet.

16 October 1941

Nothing of importance. 386 Battery returned from Scheme. Cold day.

17 October 1941

Nothing of importance. All vehicles now recovered. Wet.

18 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Adjutant returned. Windy.

19 October 1941

C.O. and Regimental Signals Officer on survey for Force Intelligence Exercise No. 13. Cold. Snow and sleet in afternoon. Medical Officer and Signals Officer left for privilege leave in the UK.

20 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Wet and windy.

21 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Wet and windy.

22 October 1941

Rehearsal of 366 Battery Field Firing Exercise at Kleifervatn. Wet.

23 October 1941

366 Battery Field Firing Exercise postponed. Very wet and windy.

24 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Captain Ostle – Chaplain – brought up before G.O.C. Admonished. Weather fair.

25 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather mild. RHQ and Signals Section versus A Troop, 386 Battery in Football League. Result 1 – 6 Lost.

26 October 1941

Lieutenant Roberts from Borganes for Force Exercise No. 13. Lieutenant Marriott for three days local leave. Battery Quartermaster Sergeant Smith for course at Base Ordnance Depot. Weather rainy.

27 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather fine.

28 October 1941

366 Battery Field Firing Exercise at Kleifervatn. Weather fine.

29 October 1941

Force Intelligence Exercise No. 13. Weather fine.

30 October 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather fair, mild.

31 October 1941

Reverend A J Ostle embarked for UK on posting to Home Establishment. Captain Berry and Lance Bombardier Darby embarked for UK to attend courses. 388 Battery Observation Post Party with Lieutenant Marriott returned to Borganes. Weather fine. Final Conference Force Intelligence Exercise No. 13.

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