29th Mule Company, War Diary April 1942
1 April 1942 BRYGWYN.
21:00 hours. Commander Indian Contingent visited the unit and had a conference with Officer Commanding. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
2 April 1942
21:30 hours. Unit Operation Order No. F-37/34 dated 2 April 1942 issued to all concerned and copy attached as Appendix “A” (for details see below).
Commanding Officer proceeded to HQ Indian Contingent and discussed some points regarding Court Martial to be held on 7 April 1942. Captain G R CHARLTON RIASC Officer Commanding 47 S.D.S. visited the unit and discussed some points re: supplies. Weather clear and bright all day.
3 April 1942
21:30 hours. Lieut J WILLIAMS of the Claims Commission, Central Midland District, visited the unit and had a short discussion with the C.O. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
4 April 1942
24:00 hours. Lieut J C G BRADFIELD RIASC and Lieut L S REES RIASC arrived from 3 and 42 Mule Companies respectively. All unit stores etc and animals were loaded in the trains. All unit except C.O. and Rear Party left the Camp to proceed to new location in North Wales. Commander Indian Contingent accompanied by Adjutant Indian Contingent and Lt MOHD ASHRAF I.O.M., I.D.S.M. RIASC saw the first train off. Weather cloudy and raining at intervals.
5 April 1942
21:00 hours. C.O. saw the two remaining trains off in the morning at Railway Station, HEREFORD. Adjutant Indian Contingent and Rissaldar Major and Honorary Lieutenant MOHD ASHRAF I.O.M, I.D.S.M. RIASC who stayed at the Camp for last night proceeded back to the HQ Indian Contingent. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
6 April 1942
21:30 hours. Lieut J DARBY RIASC arrived. Clerks of Works from S.A.Q.C’s Office LEOMINSTER visited the unit and noted all barrack damages in the BRYNGWYN building. Weather cloudy and raining at intervals.
7 April 1942
21:30 hours. Major R. Mcv. HOFFORD RIASC arrived from HQ Indian Contingent and S.G.C.M. was held for the trial of 173956 Q.M.D. ABDUL LATIF. Agricultural Officer Central Midland District visited the unit. Weather cloudy and raining at intervals.
8 April 1942
21:00 hours. S.G.C.M. ended and all Officers attending the Court Martial proceeded back to their respective units. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
9 April 1942
21:30 hours. C.O. proceeded to Railway Transport Office, HEREFORD to discuss the move of Rear Party by rail from HEREFORD to NORTH WALES. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
10 April 1942 NANTMOR VALLEY 49/072674.
22:00 hours. C.O. and Rear Party departed from HEREFORD and arrived in NORTH WALES, NANTMOR VALLEY, Map Sheet 49/072674. 80 men from Detachment 29 Mule Company RIASC attended a cinema show in lines of 1st Tyneside Scottish. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
11 April 1942
22:00 hours. C.O. visited the new site of the Camp selected for this unit HQ. 125 men of the unit attended a cinema show in the canteen of the 1st Bn Tyneside Scottish. Weather cloudy in the morning, but clear and bright in the afternoon.
12 April 1942
22:00 hours. No. 2 Sub-Division and Company HQ moved from the camp to the new Camp on 1 ½ mile distance May sheet 49/082698. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
13 April 1942
22:00 hours. All remaining heavy stores were transferred from the first camp to another. C.O. visited No. 1 Sub-Division accompanied by the Medical Officer i/c unit. Weather clear and bright all day.
14 April 1942
22:00 hours. 120 men of this unit attended cinema show in the NAAFI Canteen of 10th Battalion, The DLI. C.O. visited O.W.O. at HQ 70th Brigade and discussed some points re: Ordnance Stores. Weather bright and clear all day with heavy wind.
15 April 1942
22:00 hours. Major H N N FAWCETT RIASC P.T.L.O. 70th Infantry Brigade visited the unit and had a conference with the C.O. C.O. proceeded to HQ 70th Infantry Brigade. Weather clear and bright all day.
16 April 1942
22:00 hours. Sentences of Court Martial held at BRYNGWYN on 7 April 1942 were promulgated and prisoner was transferred to the Reinforcement Unit, Indian Contingent under escort. D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands visited the unit and inspected all animals accompanied by Senior Veterinary Officer, Indian Contingent. Weather clear and bright all day.
17 April 1942
22:00 hours. Administrative Officer Indian Contingent visited the unit and had a talk with the C.O. C.O. proceeded to see Officer Commanding 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish. Weather bright and clear all day with heavy wind.
18 April 1942
22:30 hours. Lieut A F ESTLICK RIASC proceeded to HEREFORD to give an evidence at ABBEYDORE near HERFORD. C.O. had a conference with P.T.L.O. at Brigade HQ. Weather clear and bright all day with heavy wind.
19 April 1942
22:00 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather clear and bright in the morning but cloudy in the afternoon.
20 April 1942
22:00 hours. No. 1 Sub-Division proceeded on an exercise with 1st Tyneside Scottish. Senior Veterinary Officer, Indian Contingent visited the unit and inspected the animals of No. 2 Sub-Division. Weather cloudy and cold in the morning but clear in the afternoon.
21 April 1942
22:00 hours. 14 days reserve forage rations were drawn by the unit from Command Supply Depot TRAWSFYNYDD, NORTH WALES. No. 1 Sub-Division returned from 36 hours Scheme. Lieut A F ESTLICK RIASC returned from HEREFORD. Weather uncertain and cold, sun shining at intervals.
22 April 1942
21:30 hours. No. 2 Sub-Division carried out a Battalion Scheme with 10th Battalion The DLI. C.O. accompanied by Senior Veterinary Officer, Indian Contingent, inspected all animals of No. 1 Sub-Division. Weather cloudy and cold all day.
23 April 1942
22:00 hours. No. 2 Sub-Division proceeded on 36 hours Scheme with 10th Battalion The DLI. Senior Medical Officer, Indian Contingent visited both camps in afternoon. Weather cloudy and little rain in afternoon.
24 April 1942
22:00 hours. No. 2 Sub-Division returned from 36 hours Scheme. C.O. proceeded to 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish and met C.O. of the Regiment. Weather clear but heavy cold wind all day.
25 April 1942
22:30 hours. C.O. proceeded to 10th Battalion The DLI and saw the C.O. of the Regiment. Weather clear but heavy cold wind all day.
26 April 1942
22:00 hours. Durbars at both Detachments held by the Officers Commanding. A short lecture was delivered by Major R B Le-CORNU M.C. RIASC on “News of the World”. C.O. visited No. 1 Sub-Division in afternoon. Weather clear but heavy cold wind throughout the day.
27 April 1942
22:00 hours. Unit establishment paid out. P.T.L.O. visited the unit and had a conference with C.O. about Pack Transport Training. Weather clear in the morning but cloudy in afternoon, heavy cold wind all day.
28 April 1942
22:30 hours. No. 2 Sub-Division carried out a 24-hour Scheme with 10th Battalion The DLI. Senior Veterinary Officer Indian Contingent inspected all sick animals in the lines. Weather uncertain with heavy cold wind all day.
29 April 1942
22:30 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather clear and bright with heavy cold wind all day.
30 April 1942
22:30 hours. Company carried out Battalion Schemes with the respective Battalions. C.O. attended a conference at HQ 70th Infantry Brigade. Weather clear and bright with heavy cold wind all day.
Appendices attached to April 1942 War Diary
Appendix A – Operation Order F-37/34 dated 2 April 1942
This Appendix details the arrangements covering the move of 29 Mule Company to North Wales to train with 70th Infantry Brigade. The Company would move in three separate train loads from HEREFORD and detrain at PORTMADOC. Troops would be in Field Service Marching Order, with respirators at the alert.
Arrangements for rations and food on the journey were specified and loading/unloading parties were identified.
Appendix B – Sub-Divisions for move to entraining Station.
The NCOs in charge of the various parties, and the constituent members of those parties, were set out as Sub-Divisions of the Company.
Appendix C – March Table.
This document set out the timings for the parties to move to the Station and the NCOs in charge of each.
Appendix D – Rear Party.
The names, numbers and ranks of the members of the Company Rear Party were set out in this document. This party was commanded by the Commanding Officer.
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