Difference between revisions of "2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - July 1943"
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | + | '''2 July 1943''' | |
| − | + | ||
| − | 2 July 1943 | + | |
“F” Group move to training area Ystradfellte for five days field firing exercise for all weapons. “H” Group returns. | “F” Group move to training area Ystradfellte for five days field firing exercise for all weapons. “H” Group returns. | ||
| Line 7: | Line 5: | ||
2/Lieut V de P C Johnson posted to this Unit. | 2/Lieut V de P C Johnson posted to this Unit. | ||
| − | 4 July 1943 | + | '''4 July 1943''' |
The Battalion held its sports trials at the RAF Athletic Field, St Athan, in preparation for the coming Divisional Sports Meeting. | The Battalion held its sports trials at the RAF Athletic Field, St Athan, in preparation for the coming Divisional Sports Meeting. | ||
| − | 5 July 1943 | + | '''5 July 1943''' |
| − | + | 2/Lieut W Ward posted to this Unit. | |
| − | 6 July 1943 | + | '''6 July 1943''' |
Battalion HQ began Exercise “Arthur” – this is a practice in their role as HQ of the Admin. Group. | Battalion HQ began Exercise “Arthur” – this is a practice in their role as HQ of the Admin. Group. | ||
| − | 7 July 1943 | + | '''7 July 1943''' |
A/Captain Greville posted from this Unit to 160 OCTU. | A/Captain Greville posted from this Unit to 160 OCTU. | ||
| − | 8 July 1943 | + | '''8 July 1943''' |
A talk on Security is given by Major R E N D’Abo. Films on Security were shown afterwards. | A talk on Security is given by Major R E N D’Abo. Films on Security were shown afterwards. | ||
| Line 29: | Line 27: | ||
Exercise “Arthur” ends. | Exercise “Arthur” ends. | ||
| − | 2/Lieut J T Griffiths posted to this Unit. | + | '''2/Lieut J T Griffiths posted to this Unit.''' |
9 July 1943 | 9 July 1943 | ||
| − | Lieut R F Green posted to this Unit. | + | '''Lieut R F Green posted to this Unit.''' |
10 July 1943 | 10 July 1943 | ||
| Line 39: | Line 37: | ||
The Battalion attends a smoke demonstration given by Artillery and Infantry weapons at Sennybridge. The smoke screen laid by the 4.2” Mortar Platoon of this Unit merited the congratulation it was given by the General Officer Commanding 49th Division. This, the first tryout of the heavy mortars as a smoke laying weapon was a huge success. Because of bad weather the RAF could not demonstrate their smoke screens but it was found that the 4.2” Mortar Platoon could lay a smoke screen that was adequate to replace any screen that the RAF would, in future, be unable to lay. | The Battalion attends a smoke demonstration given by Artillery and Infantry weapons at Sennybridge. The smoke screen laid by the 4.2” Mortar Platoon of this Unit merited the congratulation it was given by the General Officer Commanding 49th Division. This, the first tryout of the heavy mortars as a smoke laying weapon was a huge success. Because of bad weather the RAF could not demonstrate their smoke screens but it was found that the 4.2” Mortar Platoon could lay a smoke screen that was adequate to replace any screen that the RAF would, in future, be unable to lay. | ||
| − | 12 July 1943 | + | '''12 July 1943''' |
| − | The | + | The Battalion took part in a five-day skeleton Signal Exercise “Contact” in which the whole Division participated. This was the first time the Battalion had performed their new Support role and much valuable information was learned. |
78 Drivers proceed on Course No.3 at the Combined Operations Training Centre, Castle Toward, Rothesay. | 78 Drivers proceed on Course No.3 at the Combined Operations Training Centre, Castle Toward, Rothesay. | ||
| − | 16 July 1943 | + | '''16 July 1943''' |
Exercise “Contact” ends. | Exercise “Contact” ends. | ||
| − | 19 July 1943 | + | '''19 July 1943''' |
W/S Lieut T M Tyer posted to this Unit. | W/S Lieut T M Tyer posted to this Unit. | ||
| − | 20 July 1943 | + | '''20 July 1943''' |
| − | The Advance Party for | + | The Advance Party for Exercise “Overdo” (i.e. move of Battalion to previous locations in Scotland) leaves. |
| − | 21 July 1943 | + | '''21 July 1943''' |
The excellent Carrier films shown last month were shown again today because of the many requests. | The excellent Carrier films shown last month were shown again today because of the many requests. | ||
| Line 65: | Line 63: | ||
3 Drivers proceeded on Course No.4 at the Combined Operations Training Centre, Castle Toward, Rothesay. | 3 Drivers proceeded on Course No.4 at the Combined Operations Training Centre, Castle Toward, Rothesay. | ||
| − | 22 July 1943 | + | '''22 July 1943''' |
Pte Carver P came 4th out of a field of 84 in the Divisional Motor Cycle Championship. | Pte Carver P came 4th out of a field of 84 in the Divisional Motor Cycle Championship. | ||
| − | 23 July 1943 | + | '''23 July 1943''' |
2/Lieuts Tees and Thornhill posted to this Unit on being commissioned. | 2/Lieuts Tees and Thornhill posted to this Unit on being commissioned. | ||
| − | 25 July 1943 | + | '''25 July 1943''' |
The Battalion begins Exercise “Overdo” (i.e. move of Battalion to previous locations in Scotland). The Battalion bivouacs at the Wellington Staging Camp, Shropshire. At night, the troops were allowed to walk out. | The Battalion begins Exercise “Overdo” (i.e. move of Battalion to previous locations in Scotland). The Battalion bivouacs at the Wellington Staging Camp, Shropshire. At night, the troops were allowed to walk out. | ||
| − | 26 July 1943 | + | '''26 July 1943''' |
The Battalion moves from Wellington to Preston and bivouacs the night at Preston Staging Camp. The troops were allowed out in Preston after duty. | The Battalion moves from Wellington to Preston and bivouacs the night at Preston Staging Camp. The troops were allowed out in Preston after duty. | ||
| − | 27 July 1943 | + | '''27 July 1943''' |
The Battalion arrives at Carlisle and bivouacked there. It rained hard in the night. | The Battalion arrives at Carlisle and bivouacked there. It rained hard in the night. | ||
| − | 28 July 1943 | + | '''28 July 1943''' |
The Battalion arrived at the new locations i.e. | The Battalion arrived at the new locations i.e. | ||
| Line 95: | Line 93: | ||
“C” Group – Newstead House, E. Deanston. | “C” Group – Newstead House, E. Deanston. | ||
| − | + | at approximately 16:00 hours. | |
During the move today the rumour that Italy had asked for Armistice Terms was encountered everywhere. | During the move today the rumour that Italy had asked for Armistice Terms was encountered everywhere. | ||
| − | 29 July 1943 | + | '''29 July 1943''' |
From today, “H” Group, “E” Group, “F” group are to be known as “A” Group, “B” Group and “C” Group respectively. | From today, “H” Group, “E” Group, “F” group are to be known as “A” Group, “B” Group and “C” Group respectively. | ||
| Line 109: | Line 107: | ||
The Battalion settles in to new billets. | The Battalion settles in to new billets. | ||
| − | 30 July 1943 | + | '''30 July 1943''' |
The Battalion completes general cleaning of new billets. | The Battalion completes general cleaning of new billets. | ||
Latest revision as of 15:16, 22 October 2015
2 July 1943
“F” Group move to training area Ystradfellte for five days field firing exercise for all weapons. “H” Group returns.
2/Lieut V de P C Johnson posted to this Unit.
4 July 1943
The Battalion held its sports trials at the RAF Athletic Field, St Athan, in preparation for the coming Divisional Sports Meeting.
5 July 1943
2/Lieut W Ward posted to this Unit.
6 July 1943
Battalion HQ began Exercise “Arthur” – this is a practice in their role as HQ of the Admin. Group.
7 July 1943
A/Captain Greville posted from this Unit to 160 OCTU.
8 July 1943
A talk on Security is given by Major R E N D’Abo. Films on Security were shown afterwards.
Exercise “Arthur” ends.
2/Lieut J T Griffiths posted to this Unit.
9 July 1943
Lieut R F Green posted to this Unit.
10 July 1943
The Battalion attends a smoke demonstration given by Artillery and Infantry weapons at Sennybridge. The smoke screen laid by the 4.2” Mortar Platoon of this Unit merited the congratulation it was given by the General Officer Commanding 49th Division. This, the first tryout of the heavy mortars as a smoke laying weapon was a huge success. Because of bad weather the RAF could not demonstrate their smoke screens but it was found that the 4.2” Mortar Platoon could lay a smoke screen that was adequate to replace any screen that the RAF would, in future, be unable to lay.
12 July 1943
The Battalion took part in a five-day skeleton Signal Exercise “Contact” in which the whole Division participated. This was the first time the Battalion had performed their new Support role and much valuable information was learned.
78 Drivers proceed on Course No.3 at the Combined Operations Training Centre, Castle Toward, Rothesay.
16 July 1943
Exercise “Contact” ends.
19 July 1943
W/S Lieut T M Tyer posted to this Unit.
20 July 1943
The Advance Party for Exercise “Overdo” (i.e. move of Battalion to previous locations in Scotland) leaves.
21 July 1943
The excellent Carrier films shown last month were shown again today because of the many requests.
The Commanding Officer left for Scotland.
3 Drivers proceeded on Course No.4 at the Combined Operations Training Centre, Castle Toward, Rothesay.
22 July 1943
Pte Carver P came 4th out of a field of 84 in the Divisional Motor Cycle Championship.
23 July 1943
2/Lieuts Tees and Thornhill posted to this Unit on being commissioned.
25 July 1943
The Battalion begins Exercise “Overdo” (i.e. move of Battalion to previous locations in Scotland). The Battalion bivouacs at the Wellington Staging Camp, Shropshire. At night, the troops were allowed to walk out.
26 July 1943
The Battalion moves from Wellington to Preston and bivouacs the night at Preston Staging Camp. The troops were allowed out in Preston after duty.
27 July 1943
The Battalion arrives at Carlisle and bivouacked there. It rained hard in the night.
28 July 1943
The Battalion arrived at the new locations i.e.
Battalion HQ and “B” Group – Callander, Perthshire.
“A” Group – Inveradoch House, Doune.
“C” Group – Newstead House, E. Deanston.
at approximately 16:00 hours.
During the move today the rumour that Italy had asked for Armistice Terms was encountered everywhere.
29 July 1943
From today, “H” Group, “E” Group, “F” group are to be known as “A” Group, “B” Group and “C” Group respectively.
Transportless days in Scottish Command are Tuesday and Friday.
Respirators are to be worn by all ranks from 10:00 to 10:30 hours on the first Monday in every month.
The Battalion settles in to new billets.
30 July 1943
The Battalion completes general cleaning of new billets.
Combined Operations training ends.
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