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 C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.

4th October 1939

A Route March was undertaken by 12th Battalion to TEAMS through CHESTER-LE-STREET. Brigadier Kirkup took the salute.

5th October 1939

A Territorial Army "comb-out" of personnel essential for maintenance of production in Civil Trades was ordered in a letter from 50th Division dated on this day.

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. (messing supplement?) was made.

16th October 1939

"A" Company of the 10th Battalion took over Civil Defence duties at DARLINGTON and relieved a Company 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 partly replace the men lost by; combing-out personnel from essential trades, transferring the unfit, and transferring the "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

The 23rd Division took over responsibility for the military contribution to Civil Defence for Northumbria.

70th Brigade was required to cover the whole of Durham County (from the South bank of the Tyne to the North bank of the Tees), though two Companies of 6th Battalion The Green Howards were placed at the disposal of the Brigade for Civil Defence Duties only in HARTLEPOOL and STOCKTON-ON-TEES.

10th Battalion became the Group Reserve relieving the 6th Battalion but remaining at its station in Spennymoor for the time being.

Similarly the 11th Battalion became the Area Reserve, relieving the 8th Battalion, but remaining in its Chester-le-Street location.

22nd October 1939

10th Battalion moved its HQ from SPENNYMOOR to BISHOP AUCKLAND taking over the accommodation vacated by the 6th Battalion, which had moved South, on its way to the B.E.F.

The 11th Bn took over 8th Battalion's Drill Halls in BIRTLEY, STANLEY, HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING and CHESTER-LE-STREET, as 8th Battalion also moved South.

23rd October 1939

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.

24th October 1939

Divisional Commander visited Brigade HQ.

29th October 1939

At 04:00 hours an 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.

30th October 1939

Confinement order ceased. Signal section set up at Brigade. Gateshead Empire – free concert for 700 men of the Brigade by Frank E Franks.

31st October 1939

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.