11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary April 1944
2nd – 5th April 1944 THETFORD
Exercise “SEEK” was held. This was an exercise to test the communications of the Divisional Reconnaissance Battalion. 70th Brigade acted as enemy and the Battalion provided two Companies at full strength (A and D Companies) and Battalion HQ. The exercise involved a night withdrawal on the night of 2nd April but otherwise there was little action from the enemy point of view.
31st March – 4th April 1944
The Mortar Platoon took part in the Brigade concentration.
5th April 1944
B and C Companies were on ELVEDON Range zeroing their new No 4 Rifles. (The Brigade’s troops had been using the World War One vintage Mark III Lee-Enfield Rifle since the Brigade was established in 1939).
6th April 1944
The Anti-Tank Platoon were at FOULNESS on a Brigade concentration.
The CO’s conference on Exercise “BUMP” took place.
7th April 1944
The Mortar Platoon were firing on the Range at BERNERS HEATH.
A Battalion Field Firing Exercise took place on the STAMFORD Battle Area.
8th – 10th April 1944
The Battalion was engaged in administrative preparations for Exercise “BUMP”.
11th April 1944
At 07:00 hours the Battalion Column moved out for the concentration area near WOODBRIDGE. Captain Lang was left in charge of the Rear Party as a large draft was expected from the Reinforcement Company. At 12:30 hours the Column arrived in the concentration area which had been laid out by the Officer Commanding HQ Company.
12th April 1944
At 09:30 hours the Column pulled out of the concentration area, except for the B Echelon vehicles, following up the Brigade advance with the 1st Tyneside Scottish mobile vanguard on bicycles. Battalion transport bounded with the marching troops who had instructions to press forward with all possible speed.
At 16:00 hours the Battalion went into the assembly area of HALFWAY COTTAGES near LEISTON.
At 20:00 hours the Brigade Commander gave orders for an attack which was to take place the following morning with 11th DLI on the left attacking the ASHWOOD Feature and 10th DLI on the right attacking GOOSE HILL. Both attacks were to have Artillery support and 10th DLI, in addition, were to have the support of a Squadron of Tanks.
The zero hour for the attack on ASHWOOD was 10:00.
At 10:40 hours the signal for a successful attack was sent.
The remainder of the exercise consisted for the Battalion in the consolidation of the ASHWOOD position, so that the remainder of the Brigade could pass through the firm base being provided. Vigorous patrolling was carried out and it was on the information provided by the patrols (in particular from one lead by Lt J.E. Johnson) that the Brigade Commander based his plan for the crossing of the MINSMERE LEVEL.
Although the Battalion was static for the remainder of the exercise the days were not lacking in interest or excitement.
On the night of the 15th in particular, A Company had an exciting experience when a 25pdr started firing short and dropped a number of shells in the Company area and almost knocked out Company HQ. Fortunately, no-one was hurt – this was probably due to the excellent slit trenches which had been dug. The Battalion was also able to judge what the tempo of active service would be like, and there was an excellent opportunity to practise the working of such administrative matters as the evacuation of casualties, the rendering of Field Returns and the drawing of all necessary supplies.
17th April 1944
At 08:00 hours the Battalion Column moved forward to THETFORD, the bicycles moving in a separate Brigade Column under Captain Sopwith.
18th April 1944
Battalion administrative day. The CO inspected a new draft of 104 Other Ranks which had arrived from the Somerset Light Infantry. This draft was a very welcome addition to our strength, containing, as it did, a large number of specialists and men of some years’ service.
At 11:00 hours the 2 i/c lectured all Officers and NCO’s on Censorship which was introduced forthwith.
19th April 1944
This was regarded as a half-holiday. Recreational transport in the form of seven three-tonners was provided.
23rd April 1944
At the “Salute the Soldier” parade in NEWMARKET the Battalion was represented by a contingent, commanded by Major C.A. Smallwood, consisting of C Company, two Bren Carriers and one Section of the Anti-Tank Platoon, complete with six-pounders.
24th April 1944
Company route marches were held over a distance of approximately 25 miles.
25th April 1944
The Anti-Tank Platoon were practising at HOLME Range.
Exercise “WASH” took place for the Battalion at GREAT YARMOUTH. This consisted of waterproofing trials for the Battalion’s vehicles. All the vehicles were successful except for one Jeep which stopped on the second plunge.
At 17:00 hours an Officers’ pistol shooting competition was held – which was won by R Company.
26th April 1944
Tank co-operation with 33 Armoured Brigade at Company and Squadron level was exercised. D Company represented the Battalion and the rest of the troops watched.
The rehearsal took place for a Ceremonial Parade for the visit of His Majesty the King.
27th April 1944
The visit of His Majesty the King took place. The 10th and 11th Battalions were drawn up in a hollow square, and after the Royal Salute His Majesty the King inspected the Battalion and spoke to several Officers and men. As he drove off he was given three cheers. Lt Col Sandars was in charge of the parade and among the visiting Officers were the G.o.C. and the C.R.A. It was a perfect day for the Parade which was adjudged by all to be a great success.
28th April 1944
An inter-Company mine-laying competition took place under the direction of the 2 i/c.
29th April 1944
An RSM’s Parade was held. B Company were on the GARBOLDISHAM Ranges zeroing their new Rifles.
Appendices attached to the April 1944 11th DLI War Diary.
Field Returns
The Other Ranks return for the week ending 1st April showed a strength of 838 as against an establishment of 966 (apparently including 1st reinforcements) – leaving a shortfall of 128 men. By two weeks later the shortfall had been reduced to only 20 men, presumably because of the draft from the Somerset Light Infantry, which had lifted the strength to 946. By 22nd April the shortfall was only one man. See below for information regarding the Sergeants of the Battalion.
The Officers’ Return for 1st April shows a shortfall of two Lieutenants against the War Establishment. During the month a CANLOAN Officer was attached to the Battalion – Lt Charles Talbot Baker.
11th Durham Light Infantry Sergeants Mess, April 1944
The names listed on the rear of the photograph loaned by CSM Dent's family are set out below, with an attempt to identify each of the men from the information already gleaned from the War Diary and the Enlistment Books. Anyone who can identify more accurate details, or suggest amendments, is asked to get in touch with the lead researcher.
Rank Surname Forenames Reg No. Reg't Row in photo Position Notes
Sgt Denholme DLI 4th (back) row Far left Possibly 3133943 DENHOLM Robert John
Sgt Freeman John 4456225 DLI 4th (back) row Second from left
Sgt Mithinson DLI 4th (back) row Third from left
Sgt Handy John 4456153 DLI 4th (back) row Fourth from left
Sgt Robinson William 4457149 DLI 4th (back) row Fifth from left
Sgt Gordon DLI 4th (back) row Sixth from left Too many possibles for a firm ID
Sgt Richardson DLI 4th (back) row Seventh from left Five possibles.
Sgt Preston W. 4462220 DLI 4th (back) row Eighth from left
Sgt Travers DLI 4th (back) row Ninth from left
Sgt Powell ACC 4th (back) row Ninth from right
Sgt Reay M. 4266558 DLI 4th (back) row Eighth from right
Sgt Roberts DLI 4th (back) row Seventh from right Four possibles.
Sgt Bell DLI 4th (back) row Sixth from right Possibly 4459294 M.
Sgt Howie DLI 4th (back) row Fifth from right Two possibles, both ex-RSF
Sgt Sykes DLI 4th (back) row Fourth from right
Sgt Stones DLI 4th (back) row Third from right
Sgt Hurst William John 4450304 DLI 4th (back) row Second from right
Sgt Bradford DLI 4th (back) row Far right
Sgt Barnes DLI 3rd row Far left Possibly 4457138 Allan
C/Sgt Daynes DLI 3rd row Second from left
Sgt Sharp DLI 3rd row Third from left Possibly 3133780 Thomas
Sgt Lamb Bertram 4466998 DLI 3rd row Fourth from left
Sgt Weir DLI 3rd row Fifth from left Two possibles.
C/Sgt Dent Thomas 4449976 DLI 3rd row Sixth from left
C/Sgt Smith R D Mc 3133962 DLI 3rd row Seventh from left Best fit of eighteen possibles.
C/Sgt Anthony DLI 3rd row Eighth from left
C/Sgt Rutter James 4455256 DLI 3rd row Ninth from left
C/Sgt Roberts DLI 3rd row Eighth from right Four possibles.
Sgt Bunce Thomas William 4451956 DLI 3rd row Seventh from right
Sgt Stewart DLI 3rd row Sixth from right
Sgt Whitehead DLI 3rd row Fifth from right Possibly 4461609 N.
Sgt Brunskill DLI 3rd row Fourth from right Possibly 4455496 BRUNSKELL Robert
Sgt Ditchburn Alfred 4455833 DLI 3rd row Third from right
Sgt Allan DLI 3rd row Second from right Possibly 3133935 John
Sgt Hutchinson Norman 4455445 DLI 3rd row Far right
Sgt Packard H. 7586917 REME 2nd row Far left Probably trf to RAOC then to REME
Sgt Blackwell ACC 2nd row Second from left
CSM Taylor George Edward 5246046 DLI 2nd row Third from left
CSM Hodgkiss DLI 2nd row Fourth from left
CSM Taylor DLI 2nd row Fifth from left Possibly 4452205 Alfred
Lt Col Hanmer J.M. DLI 2nd row Sixth from left
RSM Rafferty DLI 2nd row Seventh from left
Maj Hamilton C.D. 90293 DLI 2nd row Seventh from right
Capt Stephenson DLI 2nd row Sixth from right
RQMS Blackwood DLI 2nd row Fifth from right
CSM Rochester W'm Turnbull 4447931 DLI 2nd row Fourth from right
CSM Boddy James 4445637 DLI 2nd row Third from right
CSM Leadbitter DLI 2nd row Second from right
Sgt Lilley DLI 2nd row Far right
Sgt Taylor DLI Front row Far left Two possibles.
Sgt Draper Robert William 4447032 DLI Front row Second from left
Sgt Sampson DLI Front row Third from left
Sgt Heniman DLI Front row Fourth from left
Sgt Robinson DLI Front row Fifth from left Nine possibles.
Sgt Mottershead H. 4461966 DLI Front row Sixth from left
Sgt Crickard DLI Front row Seventh from left
Sgt Middleton DLI Front row Sixth from right Three possibles.
Sgt Mason Frederick 4462490 DLI Front row Fifth from right
Sgt Gordon Douglas 4456130 DLI Front row Fourth from right
Sgt Hodgson DLI Front row Third from right Possibly 4445679 John Joseph
Sgt Macklam DLI Front row Second from right
Sgt Thompson REME Front row Far right
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