70th Infantry Brigade War Diary December 1939

1st December 1939

Individual training continued as in earlier months. A copy of the "Operation Instructions No 1", together with Amendment No. 1, as issued by the Brigade, dated 30th November 1939 were attached as an Appendix to the War Diary, covering the Brigade's responsibilities under the area Civil Defence Scheme, dated 19th October 1939.

4th December 1939

Young officers’ course numbers 2 started, with a total of thirteen Officers - five each from the 10th and 12th Battalions, and three from the 11th Battalion taking part.

5th December 1939

New officers were posted in from the 163rd Course from the Officer Candidate Training Unit at Shorncliffe.

All were posted to the 10th Battalion as follows:-

2/Lt J.H.Davis

2/Lt N.J.Seymour

2/Lt J.R.K.Steele

2/Lt M.R.H.Watkins

6th December 1939

The Brigade has a visit from Major Bland, Deputy Assistant Director of Supply.

Training events included aircraft identification. More administrative visits took place, such as GS03, PT.

7th December 1939

A lecture was given in the morning at the Pelaw Welfare Hall, Chester-le-Street on the identification of aircraft by Flt. Lt. Irish of the R.A.F., and was repeated in the afternoon at the Infantry Training Centre, Brancepeth Castle.

The N.A.A.F.I. organised a Mobile Cinema Show at Lambton Castle.

A Concert was given at the Jubilee Hall, BISHOP AUCKLAND, by the Bishop Auckland Dramatic Society.

10th December 1939

Lt L.D.Haggie was posted to 10th Battalion from the Regular Army Reserve of Officers (RARO).

11th December 1939

Captain C.M.L.McCoy assumed the duties of Adjutant of the 10th Battalion.

The 3rd Young Officers' Course opened with six Officers from 10th Battalion, three from 11th and two from the 12th Battalion.

"A" Company of the 10th Battalion moved back to DARLINGTON on Civil Defence duties from BISHOP AUCKLAND.

In the afternoon the Brigade Major have a lecture on Individual Training at the Pelaw Welfare Hall, Chester-le-Street.

14th December 1939

The 10th Battalion (less "A" Company) moved from BISHOP AUCKLAND to SOUTH SHIELDS, and was billeted in the schools in Mowbray and Stanhope Roads.

15th December 1939

One company of the 12th Battalion marched from SOUTH SHIELDS to GATESHEAD, while another moved to Gateshead from Sunderland.

Two other 12th Battalion Companies moved from the Alexandra Road Schools to other schools in GATESHEAD.

16th December 1939

Major E.H.Veitch M.C., formerly of 8th DLI left his voluntary appointment with the Brigade staff to take up an appointment with the Northumbrian Area Quartering Committee.

19th December 1939

A Concert was held for the troops of the Brigade in the Central Hall, High West Street, GATESHEAD.

The G.S.O.3 from Northern Command visited the 10th and 11th Battalions.

20th December 1939

The G.S.O.3 from Northern Command continued his visit to the 10th Battalion and also visited the 12th Battalion.

21st December 1939

A Concert was held in the Empire Ballroom, CHESTER-LE-STREET.

"D" Coy of the 10th Battalion changed its location to Baring Street schools in SOUTH SHIELDS from Stanhope Road Schools.

22nd December 1939

"A" Coy 10th Bn joined D Coy at Baring Street, SOUTH SHIELDS, from DARLINGTON. Concert – St Joan RC Hall, DUNSTON.