25th Mule Company, War Diary February 1942
1 February 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. Personnel attended a cinema performance at the YMCA Hut. A dull, mild, day.
2 February 1942
19:00 hours. Fifteen Indian Other Ranks proceeded on leave to WOKING. Two Daffadars joined HQ Indian Contingent English Courses as students and one Indian Other Rank as an Instructor. Guard (one Naik, two Lance Naiks and ten drivers) mounted at HQ Indian Contingent. Pay for January 1942 disbursed. A fine mild day.
3 February 1942
22:00 hours. Transport Course 2 (a) dispersed. D.A.D.V. and R. S. Southern and Western Commands (Major H D Lewis RAVC) inspected the animals of the Company at Stables. Company carried out a night march by troops on a series of map references. A dull day with some rain.
4 February 1942
19:00 hours. Personnel attended a demonstration of training films at CRICKHOWELL. Major General i/c Admin. Western Command (Major General D P DICKINSON C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C.) accompanied by Admin. Officer, Indian Contingent (Major J FINLAY M.B.E.) visited the Company to enquire into the progress of R.E. works. 2/Lt E.T. CHANNELL, 2 Pack Transport Company, RASC, reported on attachment to the Company to study the duties and organisation of a Transport Company employed on first-line transport. A wet day with some snow.
5 February 1942
19:00 hours. Forty-five RASC Officers from RASC Depot, Barry, accompanied by Admin. Officer Indian Contingent (Major J FINLAY MBE) visited the Company in Camp saw demonstrations of pack work and attended a lecture on pack organisation and duties. A cold day with frost and some snow.
6 February 1942
19:00 hours. 170 pack animals proceeded to 47 S.D.S. to draw rations. A fine dry cold day.
7 February 1942
19:00 hours. A party of one VCO and 24 Indian Other Ranks took part in a Warship Week parade at BLAENAVON (sheet 102, 7030). Officer Commanding (Major H N N FAWCETT) visited patients at Section Indian General Hospital. Company hockey team played a match with a team from HQ S. Wales District at ABERGAVENNY (sheet 91, 7535). Lieutenant (A.C.) W JAMESON delivered a lecture on current affairs. Fifteen Indian Other ranks returned from leave at WOKING. A cold dull day with some snow.
8 February 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. Personnel attended a cinema performance at the YMCA Hut. Staff Captain (Quartering) A.Q. S. Wales District (Captain J WILSON) visited the Camp to discuss accommodation in this area for a Mountain Battery, Royal Artillery. A cold, frosty but fine day.
9 February 1942
!9:00 hours. Transport Course 3 (a) (ICELAND ( C) personnel) assembled. 2/Lieutenant E T CHENNELL left for attachment to 32 Mule Company. Fifteen Indian Other Ranks proceeded on leave to WOKING. One Indian Other Rank reported at HQ Indian Contingent to proceed to a pageant in LONDON on 12 February 1942. Guard mounted on 2 February 1942 at HQ Indian Contingent dismounted. Two VCOs and four NCOs of 42 Mule Company reported to attend Transport Course 3 (a). A wet dull day. Intelligence Officer, HQ Indian Contingent (2/Lt J PITTS - TUCKER) visited the Company.
10 February 1942
22:00 hours. Transport Course 3 (a) commenced work. Company carried out a night loading exercise in which the transfer of loads was also practiced. A cold bright day with occasional light showers.
11 February 1942
19:00 hours. Major H N N FAWCETT proceeded on leave. Lieutenant (A.C.) W JAMESON assumed temporary command of the Company’s Transport Course 3 (a) (Lieutenant E.G. KEDGE RIASC in charge) proceeded to a meeting at PONTYPOOL (M.S. 102 one inch OS 7221) as spectators at an exercise with Battalion being carried out by 32 Mule Company. Lieutenant (A.C.) W JAMESON visited 5 Welch at GLENUSK PARK (one inch OS sheet 91 – 6440) to inspect progress of class of NCOs of Company undergoing short course on instruction in the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun.
Lt Col W E BRITTEN C.B.E., C.R.E. South Wales Area accompanied by Captain PRICE D.C.R.E. visited the Company to inspect and enquire into the progress of R E works. As many of VCOs, NCOs and men as could be spared attended the showing of Training Films in CRICKHOWELL CINEMA commencing at 14:00 hours. 2/Lt I A CORNISH proceeded in charge of this party. A working party of 1 NCO and 6 Indian Other Ranks proceeded to 47 S.D.S. and a further party of 4 Indian Other Ranks was detailed for work on fodder stacks in LLANGATTOCK PARK. A bright sunny day with slight frost.
12 February 1942
19:00 hours. Company carried out a Route March, 2/Lt I A CORNISH in command. The Admin. Officer, Indian Contingent (Major J FINLAY MBE) visited the Company for the purpose of discussing any points brought forward by Officer Commanding.
Lt Col C W OXLEY and Major R DRUMMOND-WOLFFE, Black Watch, visited the unit to discuss the question of training with pack transport. A cold dull day.
13 February 1942
19:00 hours. 100 pack animals proceeded to 47 S.D.S. to draw rations. A working party of 1 NCO and 10 Indian Other Ranks was also provided for 47 S.D.S. A mild clear day with cloudy periods. Personnel attended a cinema performance in YMCA Hut. A preliminary test for Indian Army 3rd Class English examination was held at which 15 Indian Other Ranks passed. A short course of instruction in the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun commenced for NCOs and senior NCOs under NCOs who were recently trained by 5 Welch.
14 February 1942
19:00 hours. A bright sunny day but frosty. A working party of 1 NCO and 10 Indian Other Ranks proceeded to 47 S.D.S. A recruits test examination was held at which 13 Indian Other Ranks passed.
15 February 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. A bright sunny day with slight frost. Personnel attended radio programme in YMCA Hut. 2 VCOs and 42 Other Ranks of the Company under the Command of Lieutenant (A.C.) W JAMESON took part in a Warship Week parade in CRICKHOWELL (sheet 91 – 6639).
16 February 1942
19:00 hours. A cold dull and frosty day. Fifteen Indian Other Ranks proceeded on leave to WOKING, 5 on leave to PLYMPTON and one on leave to MODBURY. A working party of one NCO and 10 Indian Other Ranks was provided for 47 S.D.S.
3 Officers and 12 NCOs of 1 TYNESIDE SCOTTISH, BLACK WATCH reported to the Company to undergo a short course in Packing and Loading.
17 February 1942
23:00 hours. A dull, cold and frosty day. A working party of one NCO and 11 Indian Other Ranks was provided for 47 S.D.S. The Company carried out a night march by Sub-Divisions.
18 February 1942
19:00 hours. A dull, cold and frosty day. A working party of one NCO and 11 Indian Other Ranks was provided for 47 S.D.S. A butchery demonstration arranged by the Inspector of Messing By-products WESTERN COMMAND was attended by Officer Commanding, QM personnel and personnel connected with the slaughter of meat. The short course for VCOs and senior NCOs on the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun terminated. Major H N N FAWCETT rejoined from leave.
19 February 1942
Major Fawcett re-assumed command of the Company. Whole Company carried out a route march with Transport Course 3 (a) and Officers and NCOs of 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) ? on short course. Personnel attended a cinema performance at the YMCA Hut. A very cold but fine day.
20 February 1942
19:00 hours. Twenty pack animals proceeded to 47 S.D.S. to draw rations. Education Officer Indian Contingent (W.O. 1 Brown A.E.C.) visited the Company and discussed educational questions. C.D.E.S. PORTON (Lieut Col BAMFORD O.B.E. RAVC) visited the Company to make trials with a new version of anti-gas legging for animals. Four Officers and twelve NCOs from 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) completed a short transport course. Lieut Col C W OXLEY commanding 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) visited the Company to discuss pack training with the Company including 23 February 1942. A very cold, dull day.
21 February 1942
Officer Commanding (Major FAWCETT) delivered lecture on current affairs. Brigade Major 70th Infantry Brigade (Major Roper) visited the Company to discuss pack training with the Company for Brigade HQ and Signal Section including 23 February 1942. Fifteen Indian Other Ranks returned from leave at WOKING. A wet dull day with some snow.
22 February 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. Company hockey team played a match with 32 Mule Company at PONTYPOOL (sheet 102 – 7320). A fine and very cold day.
23 February 1942
Over the next few days in the War Diary it is suspected that errors have been made in noting the dates at which events took place. The training sequence for 1st Tyneside Scottish appears to be out of order.
19:00 hours. Pack training commenced with 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) – 1 Sub-Division supplying transport.
24 February 1942
19:00 hours. Pack training continued with 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) and HQ and Signal Section 70th Infantry Brigade.
25 February 1942
19:00 hours. Pack training continued with 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) and HQ and Signal Section 70th Infantry Brigade.
Transport Course 3 (a) with Company, less those employed on training with ? carried out a route march. Major FAWCETT visited HQ Indian Contingent. A dry dull day, slightly milder. Men attended a cinema performance at YMCA.
26 February 1942
19:00 hours. A bright day slightly milder. Pack Training continued with 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) and HQ and Signal Section 70th Infantry Brigade.
Lt H E F MORRIS reported on posting from 7 Mule Company/
27 February 1942
Major FAWCETT visited HQ 70th Infantry Brigade to discuss pack training.
Pack training commenced with HQ 70th Infantry Brigade and Brigade Signal Section. Lieutenant I A CORNISH proceeded on eight days leave. Guard (one Naik, two Lance-Naiks and ten Drivers) mounted at HQ Indian Contingent. Fifteen Indian Other Ranks proceeded on leave to WOKING. Examination held for 16 candidates from this Company for 3rd Class English Certificate. Officer Commanding (Major FAWCETT) visited HQ Indian Contingent. A very cold day with some snow.
21:00 A bright sunny day with hard frost. 90 pack animals proceeded to 47 S.D.S. to draw rations. Pack Training continued with 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) and HQ and Signal Section 70th Infantry Brigade. Transport Course 3 (a) carried out a march in which movement over hilly country was practiced. Two Daffadars rejoined on termination of HQ Indian Contingent English Course.
28 February 1942
20:30 hours. Officer Commanding (Major FAWCETT) accompanied Commander Indian Contingent (Col R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C.) to a Conference at HQ 70th Infantry Brigade. A very cold, dry day.
A mild dull day with slight drizzle. Pack Training with HQ and Signal Section 70th Infantry Brigade continued.
Lieut (A.C.) W JAMESON visited patients at Section Indian General Hospital.
Hockey team played a match with a team from HQ S. Wales District at ABERGAVENNY (sheet 91 – 7535).
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