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 original War Diary, covering the Brigade's responsibilities under the area Civil Defence Scheme, dated 19th October 1939. (Unfortunately a copy of the Order was not found within the file at the National Records Office, though the Appendix was).
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.
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" Company of the 10th Battalion joined "D" Company at Baring Street Schools, SOUTH SHIELDS, from its former location in DARLINGTON.
A Concert was held in St Joan RC Hall, Pine Street, DUNSTON.
2/Lt J.R.K. Steele was attached temporarily to Brigade HQ from the 10th Battalion.
24th December 1939
2/Lt D.C.MacNichol re-assumed his duties as Intelligence Officer at Brigade HQ, on completion of No 3 Intelligence Course at Minley Manor.
The Brigade Commander, Brigadier Kirkup, issued a Special Order of the Day:-
"The Brigade Commander sends his very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all Officers and Men of the 70th Brigade.
He is unable to visit each detachment personally on Christmas Day, but will be glad if these Orders could be read to all ranks on that day. He is confident, from what he has seen of the fine spirit and enthusiasm shown these last few months, that the 70th Infantry Brigade will well be able to tackle all that it is called upon to do in the coming year."
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