70th Infantry Brigade War Diary October 1939
2nd October 1939 - 00:01 hours
The 23rd Division became a separate formation under the command of Maj Gen W N Herbert.
4th October 1939
A Route March was undertaken by 12th Battalion to TEAMS through CHESTER-LE-STREET. Brigadier Kirkup took the salute.
9th October 1939
A second Section Commanders' course was opened.
14th October 1939
The "comb-out" process was completed with the result that the losses in manpower were as follows:-
10th Battalion 35 Other Ranks.
11th Battalion 26 Other Ranks.
12th Battalion 9 Other Ranks.
A change in the level of subsistence allowances from three shillings per day to 2 shillings and 7 pence plus six pence M.S. was made.
16th October 1939
"A" Company of the 10th Battalion took over Civil Defence duties at DARLINGTON from the 6th Battalion, who were part of 151st Brigade and needed to be relieved of duties in the UK, so that they could proceed to France in due course.
Two Companies of the 12th Battalion similarly relieved two Companies of 9th Battalion at SOUTH SHIELDS and SUNDERLAND.
17th October 1939
An intake of Militia (Army Class) recruits numbering approximately 100 men into each Battalion were transferred to replace combed-out personnel from essential trades, the unfit, and "immatures" - that is those still regarded as under-age for overseas service (then, nineteen years old was regarded as the minimum age for embarkation for overseas).
19th October 1939
23rd Division took over Civil Defence for Northumbria. 70 Brigade to cover Durham County. 2 Coys Green Howards attached to the Brigade for Civil Defence in HARTLEPOOL and STOCKTON. 10th Bn became Group Reserve vice 6th Bn. 11th Bn became Area Reserve vice 8th Bn. 10th Bn moved from SPENNYMOOR to BISHOP AUCKLAND vice 6th Bn, which had moved south. 11th Bn took over 8th Bn Drill Halls in BIRTLEY, STANLEY, HOUGHTON and CHESTER-LE-STREET. 41 Group National Defence Corps new HQ at LOW FELL. During the night of 22nd/23rd the billet at LAMBTON CASTLE Stables – HQ Coy 11th Bn – invaded by hundreds of rats. Coy transferred to DURHAM CITY Drill Hall vacated by 8th Bn, which had moved south. Third Section Commanders course opened. Divisional Commander visited Brigade HQ. Order from 23rd Division confining all troops to barracks and billets. 10th Bn provided standby platoons from DARLINGTON for possible traffic control at CROFT, NORTHALLERTON and THIRSK – one platoon per point. Confinement order ceased. Signal section set up at Brigade. Gateshead Empire – free concert for 700 men of the Brigade by Frank E Franks. Reinforcements supplied 10th to 6th Bns – 59 Ors, 11th to 8th Bns – 143 Ors, 12th to 9th Bns – 73 Ors. Affiliation of 12th Bn to Black Watch proceeding. Regarding Civil Defence, liaison with civil authorities to be provided by Capt Sir Thomas Bradford, Aden Cottage, Durham.
