War Diary of the 13th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, October 1939.

1 October 1939

General situation. There is nothing of interest to report.

Vulnerable Points occupied. No change from yesterday.

Daily report as at 18:00 hours.

Strengths:-

A Company – 6 Officers, 209 Other Ranks.

B Company – 6 Officers, 179 Other Ranks.

C Company – 5 Officers (one on sick leave), 137 Other Ranks.

D Company – 2 Officers, 66 Other Ranks.

E Company – 5 Officers, 145 Other Ranks.

HQ – 3 Officers, 5 Other Ranks.

Total – 27 Officers, 741 Other Ranks.

Sick:-

A Company – 8 sick (3 in hospital). 25 awaiting discharge.

B Company – 10 sick. 7 awaiting discharge.

C Company – 2 sick (one in hospital). 5 awaiting discharge.

D Company – 3 sick. 2 awaiting discharge.

E Company – 5 sick.

Total 28 sick. 39 awaiting discharge.

As shown at the end of September the most important feature requiring attention is Hutting at V.Ps. and notably Belmont Viaduct, Croxdale Viaduct, Victoria Bridge. This last-named place where the men were accommodated in three tents, a pigsty and a bin shelter, attained notoriety and was the subject of enquiry by Division and even Command.

Eventually, the Company Commander on his initiative ordered a furniture van and Command added another. It was not until October 29th that foundations for the Huts were commenced at this V.P. The Commanding Officer throughout the month in personal visits to Division and Area pressed the question of Huts.

5 October 1939

C.O. visited Division and Area Headquarters and Commander, Royal Engineers at Darlington.

19 October 1939

A “comb-out” draft of some 68 Other Ranks arrived from 6th and 8th DLI.

23 October 1939

Group Headquarters moved from Chester-le-Street to Saltwell Vale House, Low Fell. The accommodation at Chester-le-Street was quite inadequate for Brigade and Group, as the former was rapidly expanding to full strength. Our time at Chester-le-Street had been a happy period. A joint Mess with Brigade had been run, there had been a lot of good-natured ragging as between the young members of the Brigade staff and particularly our assistant Adjutant and efficient Mess President, Lieutenant Robinson.

25 and 26 October 1939

The Commanding Officer made a complete tour of the Vulnerable Points in the County with Captain E K Myles V.C., D.S.O. who had been sent on a special tour of inspection by the G.o.C. in Command of Northern Command to report as regards administration and catering questions etc. Colonel Greatfield D.L. Military Liaison Officer, Northern Region, also accompanied the party.

The various difficulties as regards organisation, Hutting, etc. were fully explained by the Commanding Officer to Captain Myles.

26 October 1939

C.O. visited Croxdale, Norton, Billingham and Finchale.

27 October 1939

Conference held at group Headquarters.

(1) Company Commanders.

(2) Officers’ wives to discuss possible Xmas presents for the men.

29 and 30 October 1939

The Commanding Officer with Lieutenant Robinson made a night tour of V.Ps. 46, 47, 49, 34, 32 and 33 – leaving Headquarters at 23:45 hours on the 29th and returning at 06:00 hours on the 30th.

31 October 1939

The Draft received on 19th enabled the Commanding Officer to carry out a long-desired operation having two objects in view:-

(1) To redistribute Companies so as to bring the men nearer their homes.

(2) To return to the 70th Infantry Brigade the Guard at Dunston Power Station (2 Officers, 72 Other Ranks). The moves as detailed below were successfully carried out. A Company still has two Platoons at Billingham but it is intended to return them as soon as E Company’s strength can be increased.

V P 30 BIRTLEY Royal Ordnance Factory. C Company. No change.

V P 31 NORTON. E Company. No change.

V P 32 FINCHALE. D Company. Relieving C Company.

V P 33 EAST BOLDON. A Company. Relieving B Company.

V P 34 USWORTH. C Company. Relieving E Company.

V P 40 CROXDALE. D Company. No change.

V P 41 BELMONT. D Company. No change.

V P 42 VICTORIA. B Company. No change.

V P 43 & 44 SUNDERLAND TUNNELS. A Company. Relieving B Company.

V P 45 BILLINGHAM. E Company. Relieving A Company.

V P 46 PALMERS. B Company. No change.

V P 47 HAWTHORNS. B Company. No change.

V P 48 MERCANTILE. B Company. No change.

V P 49 BRIGHAM & COWANS. A Company. No change.

V P 50 TYNE DOCK ENGINEERING. A Company. No change.

V P 51 WILLIAM GRAYS. E Company. No change.

Strengths:-

HQ Company – 3 Officers, 8 Other Ranks.

A Company – 6 Officers, 209 Other Ranks, 10 sick (6 in hospital), 26 awaiting discharge.

B Company – 6 Officers (one sick in hospital), 168 Other Ranks, 10 sick (5 in hospital), 9 awaiting discharge.

C Company – 6 Officers (1 on sick leave), 161 Other Ranks, 3 sick (2 in hospital), 7 awaiting discharge.

D Company – 2 Officers, 103 Other Ranks, 1 sick, 2 awaiting discharge.

E Company – 5 Officers, 145 Other Ranks, 11 sick, 8 awaiting discharge.

Totals – 28 Officers, 794 Other Ranks, 35 sick (13 in hospital), 52 awaiting discharge.