War Diary of the 13th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, December 1939.
1 December 1939 – Low Fell, County Durham.
Strength of Battalion
27 Officers, 900 Other Ranks.
Dispositions as for November.
4 December 1939
Lt Colonel R Allen 10th RNF came to lunch to discuss strengths and establishments of Home Defence Battalions. So far it has been impossible in spite of repeated attempts to get a definitive establishment and still more a definite basis for manning V.Ps. and a definite ruling of what tour of duty is to be expected from Home Defence personnel.
5 December 1939
C.O. and Col Allen visited Divisional Commander to discuss establishments but without much success, though the general idea of basis for strength seems to be – Strength of Guards – plus 50% to allow one night in bed in three (doubtful if Home Defence personnel in long winter nights can stand this),plus 33 1/3rd to allow one week in four at rest,plus 20% of above for details – this is NOT enough – 30% better.
7 December 1939
A Company relieved B Company at Palmers V.P. 46 and Mercantile V.P. 48.
10 December 1939
C.O., 2nd in Command and Captain Thomson visited High Level Bridge, King Edward and Swing Bridges, Newcastle, with view to relief of 11th DLI.
13 December 1939
Dunston Power Station V.P. 101. Our guard relieved and this V.P. handed over to Civil Police.
15 December 1939
Battalion for Command and Administration passed from 23rd Division to Northumbrian Area (Colonel Shears).
16 December 1939
Battalion relieved 11th DLI on guards at High Level, King Edward and Swing Bridges - B Company (Lieut Coleby and about 100 Other Ranks).
18 December 1939
Swing Bridge Guard withdrawn by order 23rd Division. C.O. attended conference Area HQ. Brought back new Army Council Instruction containing Establishment of Home Defence Battalion.
19 December 1939
C Company relieved B Company at Victoria V.P. 42.
21 December 1939
Quartermaster went to Ordnance, York and obtained 800 new Greatcoats and a complete outfit of Service Dress uniform as second suit. Also DLI Cap Badges.
25/26 December 1939
C.O. and 2nd in Command visited all Companies on these two days. Everywhere the men were in good spirits and enjoying their Christmas festivities. The Officers’ wives had, by their efforts, raised funds to provide every man with a pair of socks, packet of cigarettes and sweets.
31 December 1939
Battalion strength 27 Officers 943 Other Ranks.
Vulnerable Points in County Durham guarded by Battalion:-
V.P. No. 9 King Edward Bridge, Newcastle.
V.P. No. 11 High Level Bridge, Newcastle.
V.P. No. 30 Royal Ordnance Factory, Birtley.
V.P. No. 31 Ammunition Dump, Norton.
V.P. No. 32 Ammunition Dump, East Boldon.
V.P. No. 34 RAF Usworth.
V.P. No. 40 LNER Viaduct, Croxdale.
V.P. No. 41 LNER Viaduct, Belmont.
V.P. No. 42 LNER Viaduct, Victoria.
V.P. Nos. 43 & 44 Tunnels, Sunderland.
V.P. No. 45 ICI Billingham.
V.P. No. 46 Palmers, Jarrow.
V.P. No. 47 Hawthorns, Hebburn.
V.P. No. 48 Mercantile, Jarrow.
V.P. No. 49 Brigham, South Shields.
V.P. No. 50 Tyne Dock Engineering.
V.P. No. 51 Grays, West Hartlepool.
V.P. No. 105 Shotton.
