2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - October 1942

1 October 1942 Pencerrig Camp, Builth Wells.

Appointments – Officers –

Major R E N D’Abo (90867) resumes appointment of O.C. H Company, with effect from 11/9/1942.

Captain A L Lovibond (121930) relinquishes command of H Company and assumes appointment of 2 i/c H Company with effect from 11/9/1942.

Captain W A Ballard (92780) relinquishes command of G Company with effect from 1/10/1942 and assumes appointment of O.C. HQ Company with effect from 1/10/1942.

Captain M Palmer (97001) relinquishes appointment of Adjutant and assumes appointment of O.C. G Company with effect from 1/10/1942.

Lieut R J Cannon (145601) relinquishes appointment of Intelligence Officer and assumes appointment of Adjutant with effect from 1/10/1942.

Captain S Jacobson (158865) relinquishes appointment of 2 i/c H Company and assumes appointment of 2 i/c G Company with effect from 1/10/1942.

4 October 1942

The Senior Chaplain to the Forces, Reverend Murray-Smith conducted a parade service today.

6 October 1942

The first meeting of “The Brains Trust” was held today, a good attendance, and a successful meeting.

7 October 1942

Appointments – Officers –

Lieutenant L Wilkes (200350) appointed Battalion Education Officer.

Captain A F Procter (97588) relinquishes the appointment of O.C. HQ Company on being posted from the Battalion.

10 October 1942

A Company Commanders’ Conference was held today at 09:30 hours.

11 October 1942

Information received from HQ 49 Division that the Battalion is to move on 15th October to St Donats Castle, Llantwit Major, Glamorgan.

The Commanding Officer and Company Commanders proceeded to St Donats for a preliminary recce.

2 Kensingtons Admin. Instruction No. 7 issued today and a copy filed with the War Diary as Appendix A (for details see below).

2 Kensingtons Movement Order No 1 was issued and a copy attached to the War Diary as Appendix B (for details see below).

12 October 1942

The Advance Party, under the command of Major Worton proceeded to the new area.

22 October 1942

DAQMG 49 Division visited the Battalion and stayed the night.

25 October 1942

A Battle Course commenced today under the instruction of Lieut D A Thomas. 2 Platoons per Company attending the Course for three weeks at a time.

30 October 1942

Lieut A K Attrill and 3 Other Ranks return from Iceland. The whole Battalion is now back from Iceland.

31 October 1942

Major J B Worton assumes command of the Battalion during the temporary absence of Lieut Colonel D V G Brock on leave.

Appendices attached to the October 1942 War Diary of 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment. Appendix A – Admin. Instructions No 7 – Exercise "Spread" – Move to Winter Locations

This document followed the usual format for moves of this kind – setting out in detail the vehicles and personnel who would form the Advance (commanded by the 2 i/c) and Rear (commanded by Lt T B Walsh) Parties.

The move was due to take place on 15/10/1942 and the new locations were as follows:-

Battalion HQ, HQ Company and E Company – St Donats Castle.

F Company – Ham House.

G Company – Miners’ Welfare Camp, St Athens.

H Company – St Athens Housing Estate.

Arrangements were set out for handing over tentage and Camp equipment. Temporary arrangements were also made for drawing rations until normal routines could be re-assumed. Similarly, arrangements for laundry, privy soil, swill and bones were described. All outstanding accounts were to be settled before leaving Pencarrig Camp.

Before leaving, the Pencarrig Camp area was to be scrupulously cleaned.

Appendix B – Move to Winter Locations – issued 11/10/1942.

The move was described as being from Builth Wells to St Donats. The Advance Party was due to leave on 12th October, the Main Body on 15th and the Rear Party would be advised as to their departure date later.

The Main Body would move by RASC three-ton trucks at the scale of 30 men per vehicle. Unused space to be taken up with baggage and blankets. The RASC Drivers would be accommodated by the Companies concerned and would return to their Units on the completion of the move.

Anti-Aircraft guns were to be mounted – presumably LMG’s - and traffic control would be in the hands of the Despatch Riders. The Movement Table specified the numbering to be applied to all the vehicles.

The final page of this Appendix showed the parking arranged for the trucks in relation to the Company lines at Pencarrig Camp.

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