War Diary - AQ Branch - October 1941

9 October 1941 – Artun – Reykjavik.

Some roads closed by rain and snow.

12 October 1941

260 D.B.S’s. (? Distressed British seamen ?) landed, including mahogany workers from Honduras.

13 October 1941

Float-plane sent to Borganes to fetch an appendix case for emergency operation at Reykjavik.

18 October 1941

2nd Kensingtons arrive in S.S. Bergensfjord. HQ and 2 Companies remain in South West Sector; other 2 Companies relieve HQ and 2 Companies of 1/9 Manchester Regiment at AKUREYRI and SEYDISFJORDUR.

HQ and 2 Companies of 1/9 Manchester Regiment sail for UK in S.S. Bergensfjord.

19 October 1941

Slight fall of snow – some roads closed.

22 October 1941

Major-General Curtis returned from UK and re-assumed command of Iceland (C ) Force.

29 October 1941

Staff for Winter Warfare School, AKUREYRI, sailed from UK in S.S. Bergensfjord.

31 October 1941

G.O.C. inspected 2 Companies 1/9 Manchester Regiment, 89 Company Pioneer Corps, 804 Road Construction Company and 688 Artisan Works Company prior to their sailing for UK on relief.

GENERAL

(i) COURTS MARTIAL SUMMARY

October – South West Sector – 11 Field General Courts Martial

North East Sector – 1 Field General Court Martial.

North West Sector – 2 Field General Courts Martial

(ii) ROUTINE ORDERS for October – Appendix “A” (for details see below).

Appendices attached to A/Q Branch War Diary for October 1941.

Routine Orders 7th October 1941 – No 158.

Course results from The Army Gas School were reported, including the award of a “Distinction” to Captain T L Gillison of 1/7 DWR, a “Q1” result for 13046100 Sergeant Clapham J of 203 Company, Pioneer Corps and a “Q2” for 13045336 Corporal Yellan J of 231 Company Pioneer Corps.

Troops were invited to make application for any outstanding arrears of pay for proficiency, long service or good conduct to the Regimental Paymaster.

An order regarding replacing broken or defective light bulbs was re-published.

Attention was drawn to an Army Council Instruction on Fuel Economy.

A minor change was made to the instructions for submitting ammunition returns.

A change was made in the procedure for dealing with the kit of any soldiers evacuated direct to the UK from hospital to ensure that his belongings accompanied him on the journey.

Carrying of the steel helmet was clarified in that it would be slung on the point of the left shoulder and not attached to the respirator haversack.

A vehicle census was to be undertaken on the 21st of each month to identify those off the road due to any sort of breakdown.

Instructions were given for drawing and returning Acetylene Cylinders.

Another “lost” kitbag was reported – this one belonging to 4615662 Private Bradley T B of 1/6 DWR containing his Tropal Coat and Icelandic kit.

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