70th Infantry Brigade War Diary June 1940. - Revision history

70bgadmin at 13:22, 9 May 2025

2025-05-09T13:22:51Z

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	'''9th June 1940'''		'''9th June 1940'''

	To make more room at Scarne Camp for the 8th and 9th RNF, together with 1st TS, it was decided to move 70th Brigade HQ and the personnel of 10th and 11th DLI to the ~~[http://www.plymouthdata.info/Ballard%20Institute%20for%20Boys.htm~~ Ballard Institute] at PLYMOUTH.		To make more room at Scarne Camp for the 8th and 9th RNF, together with 1st TS, it was decided to move 70th Brigade HQ and the personnel of 10th and 11th DLI to the Ballard Institute at PLYMOUTH.

	[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydford Lydford] became the HQ of 23rd Division.		[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydford Lydford] became the HQ of 23rd Division.

70bgadmin at 18:45, 20 April 2018

2018-04-20T18:45:50Z

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	'''Lt J. Oldham Lt Q.M. 10th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry - awarded Military Cross.'''		'''Lt J. Oldham Lt Q.M. 10th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry - awarded Military Cross.'''

	At [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubigny,_Somme AUBIGNY] on the night of 20th May 1940 this Officer showed the greatest courage and devotion to duty which was an example to all ranks. Ordered earlier in the day to rendezvous at [~~http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaville~~ HERMAVILLE], in spite of definite information he had later received that hostile A.F.V. were operating in that area. He displayed great determination in contacting the Battalion and warning them of their danger. Having actually encountered hostile A.F.V. on the road, his energy and resolution was remarkable. Through keeping this rendezvous he was largely instrumental in saving this Battalion from being isolated.		At [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubigny,_Somme AUBIGNY] on the night of 20th May 1940 this Officer showed the greatest courage and devotion to duty which was an example to all ranks. Ordered earlier in the day to rendezvous at [[HERMAVILLE]], in spite of definite information he had later received that hostile A.F.V. were operating in that area. He displayed great determination in contacting the Battalion and warning them of their danger. Having actually encountered hostile A.F.V. on the road, his energy and resolution was remarkable. Through keeping this rendezvous he was largely instrumental in saving this Battalion from being isolated.

	'''2/Lt J.K. Dunn 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (BW) - awarded Military Cross'''		'''2/Lt J.K. Dunn 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (BW) - awarded Military Cross'''

70bgadmin at 15:41, 17 April 2018

2018-04-17T15:41:09Z

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	'''Private Thomas Dabner 11th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry – awarded Military Medal'''		'''Private Thomas Dabner 11th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry – awarded Military Medal'''

	For conspicuous gallantry and daring initiative whilst in the hands of the enemy during night of 21st May 1940 in the vicinity of [~~http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaumetz~~ BEAUMETZ]. This private soldier who was driving a truck was ambushed and captured. The enemy, after disarming him, loaded his truck with British wounded and ordered him to follow a tank into action. After continuing some distance during the night which was moonlight he escaped with his truck at a road junction. Driving at speed and with considerable skill, he eventually found and reported to 186 Fd Ambulance to whom he delivered his wounded who gave verification of this daring feat.		For conspicuous gallantry and daring initiative whilst in the hands of the enemy during night of 21st May 1940 in the vicinity of [[BEAUMETZ]]. This private soldier who was driving a truck was ambushed and captured. The enemy, after disarming him, loaded his truck with British wounded and ordered him to follow a tank into action. After continuing some distance during the night which was moonlight he escaped with his truck at a road junction. Driving at speed and with considerable skill, he eventually found and reported to 186 Fd Ambulance to whom he delivered his wounded who gave verification of this daring feat.

	'''23rd June 1940'''		'''23rd June 1940'''

70bgadmin at 11:28, 30 April 2012

2012-04-30T11:28:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:28, 30 April 2012
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	'''Private Thomas Dabner 11th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry – awarded Military Medal'''		'''Private Thomas Dabner 11th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry – awarded Military Medal'''

	For conspicuous gallantry and daring initiative whilst in the hands of the enemy during night of 21st May 1940 in the vicinity of BEAUMETZ. This private soldier who was driving a truck was ambushed and captured. The enemy, after disarming him, loaded his truck with British wounded and ordered him to follow a tank into action. After continuing some distance during the night which was moonlight he escaped with his truck at a road junction. Driving at speed and with considerable skill, he eventually found and reported to 186 Fd Ambulance to whom he delivered his wounded who gave verification of this daring feat.		For conspicuous gallantry and daring initiative whilst in the hands of the enemy during night of 21st May 1940 in the vicinity of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaumetz BEAUMETZ]. This private soldier who was driving a truck was ambushed and captured. The enemy, after disarming him, loaded his truck with British wounded and ordered him to follow a tank into action. After continuing some distance during the night which was moonlight he escaped with his truck at a road junction. Driving at speed and with considerable skill, he eventually found and reported to 186 Fd Ambulance to whom he delivered his wounded who gave verification of this daring feat.

	'''23rd June 1940'''		'''23rd June 1940'''

	The Brigadier, Brigade Major and Staff Captain attended a Conference at Area Command at 15:00 hours. Orders were received that the Brigade HQ was to move to TAVISTOCK and the units of the Brigade were to be accommodated as follows:-		The Brigadier, Brigade Major and Staff Captain attended a Conference at Area Command at 15:00 hours. Orders were received that the Brigade HQ was to move to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tavistock,_Devon TAVISTOCK] and the units of the Brigade were to be accommodated as follows:-

	10th DLI – to remain at the Showground Camp, OKEHAMPTON.		10th DLI – to remain at the Showground Camp, OKEHAMPTON.
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	11th DLI – TAVISTOCK.		11th DLI – TAVISTOCK.

	1st TS – YELVERTON.		1st TS – [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yelverton,_Devon YELVERTON].

	'''24th June 1940'''		'''24th June 1940'''
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	Each of the Brigade’s Battalions received reinforcement drafts as follows:-		Each of the Brigade’s Battalions received reinforcement drafts as follows:-

	150 men of King’s Shropshire ~~Yorkshire~~ Light Infantry and 124 men of the South Lancashire Regiment to 10th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer from KSLI as being from KOLI, which was at first taken as being King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry)).''		150 men of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Shropshire_Light_Infantry King’s Shropshire Light Infantry] and 124 men of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Lancashire_Regiment South Lancashire Regiment] to 10th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer from KSLI as being from KOLI, which was at first taken as being [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Own_Yorkshire_Light_Infantry King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry])).''

	261 men from the Black Watch to 1st TS.		261 men from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Watch_(Royal_Highland_Regiment) Black Watch] to 1st TS.

	225 men from the Royal Scots Fusiliers to 11th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer as being from King's Own Scottish Borderers). The errors were discovered with the help of the Regimental Museums of the Black Watch and the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and access to the Regimental Enlistment Army Books 358.''		225 men from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Scots_Fusiliers Royal Scots Fusiliers] to 11th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer as being from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Own_Scottish_Borderers King's Own Scottish Borderers]). The errors were discovered with the help of the Regimental Museums of the Black Watch and the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and access to the [http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/AdvancedSearchCatalogueDetail.aspx?SearchType=Param&SearchID=6569a862-51b3-4cd9-a63f-a1ff2270bf9d&ItemID=165136 Regimental Enlistment Army Books 358].''

	''(It is this type of information which demonstrates the value of checking against the Enlistment Books of the Regiments concerned in order to identify the men who were posted in these movements, so that they can be included in the Battalion databases. The exception is the reinforcement to 1st TS from the Black Watch as, due to the Battalion being part of the Black Watch, the transfer would not be recorded in the Regimental Books.)''		''(It is this type of information which demonstrates the value of checking against the Enlistment Books of the Regiments concerned in order to identify the men who were posted in these movements, so that they can be included in the Battalion databases. The exception is the reinforcement to 1st TS from the Black Watch as, due to the Battalion being part of the Black Watch, the transfer would not be recorded in the Regimental Books.)''
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	''A set of brackets is marked along a stretch of the coast fronting Start Bay from Tinsey Head in the South to Shiphill Rock in the North and marked with the legend “Landings between these limits”.''		''A set of brackets is marked along a stretch of the coast fronting Start Bay from Tinsey Head in the South to Shiphill Rock in the North and marked with the legend “Landings between these limits”.''

	''(Given that the larger part of this section of coast consists of the infamous Slapton Sands it is suggested that these markings are areas which the Battalion in that location was expected to defend against possible seaborne invasion).''		''(Given that the larger part of this section of coast consists of the infamous [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slapton_Sands Slapton Sands] it is suggested that these markings are areas which the Battalion in that location was expected to defend against possible seaborne invasion).''

	''Several “dots” are also marked at locations inland – all of which are on higher ground – I could see eleven of them, with a possible twelfth near Dartmouth. It may be that these were locations for pillboxes or other defence works. The area behind Slapton Sands also shows what may have been fall-back secondary, or even tertiary defensive positions – demonstrating defence in depth. Other key areas are also marked as though defence would be concentrated initially on probable routes off the Sands, with secondary defences further back on higher ground, and tertiary defences further back still in the countryside, leading to what may have been the pillboxes.''		''Several “dots” are also marked at locations inland – all of which are on higher ground – I could see eleven of them, with a possible twelfth near Dartmouth. It may be that these were locations for pillboxes or other defence works. The area behind Slapton Sands also shows what may have been fall-back secondary, or even tertiary defensive positions – demonstrating defence in depth. Other key areas are also marked as though defence would be concentrated initially on probable routes off the Sands, with secondary defences further back on higher ground, and tertiary defences further back still in the countryside, leading to what may have been the pillboxes.''

70bgadmin at 11:11, 30 April 2012

2012-04-30T11:11:57Z

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	'''12th June 1940'''		'''12th June 1940'''

	Two trains containing units of the 1st Canadian Division, totalling 25 Officers and 750 men arrived at Millbay Docks between 10:00 and 11:30 hours and were fed before embarking for France at 13:30 hours.		Two trains containing units of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Canadian_Infantry_Division 1st Canadian Division], totalling 25 Officers and 750 men arrived at Millbay Docks between 10:00 and 11:30 hours and were fed before embarking for France at 13:30 hours.

	'''13th June 1940'''		'''13th June 1940'''

	All the personnel of the Brigade who were not on leave proceeded to ~~OAKHAMPTON~~ and were accommodated as follows:-		All the personnel of the Brigade who were not on leave proceeded to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okehampton OKEHAMPTON] and were accommodated as follows:-

	10th DLI Showground Camp.		10th DLI Showground Camp.

	1st TS South Zeal.		1st TS [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Zeal South Zeal].

	11th DLI South Tawton.		11th DLI [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Tawton South Tawton].

	'''14th to 18th June 1940'''		'''14th to 18th June 1940'''
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	'''Lt J. Oldham Lt Q.M. 10th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry - awarded Military Cross.'''		'''Lt J. Oldham Lt Q.M. 10th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry - awarded Military Cross.'''

	At AUBIGNY on the night of 20th May 1940 this Officer showed the greatest courage and devotion to duty which was an example to all ranks. Ordered earlier in the day to rendezvous at HERMAVILLE, in spite of definite information he had later received that hostile A.F.V. were operating in that area. He displayed great determination in contacting the Battalion and warning them of their danger. Having actually encountered hostile A.F.V. on the road, his energy and resolution was remarkable. Through keeping this rendezvous he was largely instrumental in saving this Battalion from being isolated.		At [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubigny,_Somme AUBIGNY] on the night of 20th May 1940 this Officer showed the greatest courage and devotion to duty which was an example to all ranks. Ordered earlier in the day to rendezvous at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaville HERMAVILLE], in spite of definite information he had later received that hostile A.F.V. were operating in that area. He displayed great determination in contacting the Battalion and warning them of their danger. Having actually encountered hostile A.F.V. on the road, his energy and resolution was remarkable. Through keeping this rendezvous he was largely instrumental in saving this Battalion from being isolated.

	'''2/Lt J.K. Dunn 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (BW) - awarded Military Cross'''		'''2/Lt J.K. Dunn 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (BW) - awarded Military Cross'''

70bgadmin at 10:59, 30 April 2012

2012-04-30T10:59:13Z

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	'''2nd June 1940'''		'''2nd June 1940'''

	The Brigadier reported to South West Area at PLYMOUTH and was told that the 23rd Division would be reformed at LAUNCESTON. All Reception Camps were notified of this in order to start the process of collecting members of the Brigade in that area.		The Brigadier reported to South West Area at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth PLYMOUTH] and was told that the 23rd Division would be reformed at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launceston,_Cornwall LAUNCESTON]. All Reception Camps were notified of this in order to start the process of collecting members of the Brigade in that area.

	'''3rd June 1940'''		'''3rd June 1940'''
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	'''9th June 1940'''		'''9th June 1940'''

	To make more room at Scarne Camp for the 8th and 9th RNF, together with 1st TS, it was decided to move 70th Brigade HQ and the personnel of 10th and 11th DLI to the Ballard Institute at PLYMOUTH.		To make more room at Scarne Camp for the 8th and 9th RNF, together with 1st TS, it was decided to move 70th Brigade HQ and the personnel of 10th and 11th DLI to the [http://www.plymouthdata.info/Ballard%20Institute%20for%20Boys.htm Ballard Institute] at PLYMOUTH.

	Lydford became the HQ of 23rd Division.		[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydford Lydford] became the HQ of 23rd Division.

	'''10th June 1940'''		'''10th June 1940'''

70bgadmin at 08:55, 5 March 2012

2012-03-05T08:55:33Z

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	'''13th June 1940'''		'''13th June 1940'''

	All the personnel of the Brigade who were no on leave proceeded to OAKHAMPTON and were accommodated as follows:-		All the personnel of the Brigade who were not on leave proceeded to OAKHAMPTON and were accommodated as follows:-

	10th DLI Showground Camp.		10th DLI Showground Camp.

70bgadmin at 21:05, 4 October 2011

2011-10-04T21:05:08Z

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	2/Lt J.H. Davis		2/Lt J.H. Davis

	2/Lt E.A. Ede		2/Lt E.A. Ede

	2/Lt H. Moon		2/Lt H. Moon

	Captain E.V. Cave (Padre)		Captain E.V. Cave (Padre)

	2/Lt A.J. Smith		2/Lt A.J. Smith

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	Lt-Col H. Swinburne		Lt-Col H. Swinburne

	A/Capt E. Adams		A/Capt E. Adams

	A/Capt H.S. Maughan		A/Capt H.S. Maughan

	2/Lt A.A. Dodds		2/Lt A.A. Dodds

	2/Lt C.T. Cohen		2/Lt C.T. Cohen

	A/Capt G. Harker		A/Capt G. Harker

	A/Capt J.L.R. Croft		A/Capt J.L.R. Croft

	2/Lt G. Dunn		2/Lt G. Dunn
	2/Lt D. ~~Colquhon~~
			2/Lt D. Colquhoun

	2/Lt H. Gellatly		2/Lt H. Gellatly

	2/Lt J. Noble		2/Lt J. Noble


	The strength of the Brigade when it left for France to join the B.E.F. on 24th April 1940 was 83 Officers and 1927 Men. It returned with 41 Officers and 882 Men. 42 Officers and 1045 Men were missing, PoWs or killed.		The strength of the Brigade when it left for France to join the B.E.F. on 24th April 1940 was 83 Officers and 1927 Men. It returned with 41 Officers and 882 Men. 42 Officers and 1045 Men were missing, PoWs or killed.

70bgadmin at 20:59, 4 October 2011

2011-10-04T20:59:05Z

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	Each of the Brigade’s Battalions received reinforcement drafts as follows:-		Each of the Brigade’s Battalions received reinforcement drafts as follows:-

	150 men of King’s Shropshire Yorkshire Light Infantry and 124 men of the South Lancashire Regiment to 10th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer from KSLI as being from KOLI, which was taken as being King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry)).''		150 men of King’s Shropshire Yorkshire Light Infantry and 124 men of the South Lancashire Regiment to 10th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer from KSLI as being from KOLI, which was at first taken as being King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry)).''

	261 men from the Black Watch to 1st TS.		261 men from the Black Watch to 1st TS.

	225 men from the Royal Scots Fusiliers to 11th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer as being from King's Own Scottish Borderers). The errors were discovered with the help of the Regimental ~~Museum~~ and access to the Regimental Enlistment Army Books 358.''		225 men from the Royal Scots Fusiliers to 11th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer as being from King's Own Scottish Borderers). The errors were discovered with the help of the Regimental Museums of the Black Watch and the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and access to the Regimental Enlistment Army Books 358.''

	''(It is this type of information which ~~requires~~ checking against the Enlistment Books of the Regiments concerned in order to identify the men who were posted in these movements, so that they can be included in the Battalion databases. The exception is the reinforcement to 1st TS from the Black Watch as, due to the Battalion being part of the Black Watch, the transfer would not be recorded in the Regimental Books.)''		''(It is this type of information which demonstrates the value of checking against the Enlistment Books of the Regiments concerned in order to identify the men who were posted in these movements, so that they can be included in the Battalion databases. The exception is the reinforcement to 1st TS from the Black Watch as, due to the Battalion being part of the Black Watch, the transfer would not be recorded in the Regimental Books.)''

	'''27th June 1940'''		'''27th June 1940'''

70bgadmin at 20:51, 4 October 2011

2011-10-04T20:51:34Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:51, 4 October 2011
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	Each of the Brigade’s Battalions received reinforcement drafts as follows:-		Each of the Brigade’s Battalions received reinforcement drafts as follows:-

	150 men of King’s ~~Own~~ Yorkshire Light Infantry and 124 men of the South Lancashire Regiment to 10th DLI.		150 men of King’s Shropshire Yorkshire Light Infantry and 124 men of the South Lancashire Regiment to 10th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer from KSLI as being from KOLI, which was taken as being King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry)).''

	261 men from the Black Watch to 1st TS.		261 men from the Black Watch to 1st TS.

	225 men from the ~~King’s~~ Own Scottish Borderers to ~~11th DLI~~.		225 men from the Royal Scots Fusiliers to 11th DLI. ''(The diary mistakenly identified the transfer as being from King's Own Scottish Borderers). The errors were discovered with the help of the Regimental Museum and access to the Regimental Enlistment Army Books 358.''

	''(It is this type of information which requires checking against the Enlistment Books of the Regiments concerned in order to identify the men who were posted in these movements, so that they can be included in the Battalion databases. The exception is the reinforcement to 1st TS from the Black Watch as, due to the Battalion being part of the Black Watch, the transfer would not be recorded in the Regimental Books.)''		''(It is this type of information which requires checking against the Enlistment Books of the Regiments concerned in order to identify the men who were posted in these movements, so that they can be included in the Battalion databases. The exception is the reinforcement to 1st TS from the Black Watch as, due to the Battalion being part of the Black Watch, the transfer would not be recorded in the Regimental Books.)''