70th Infantry Brigade War Diary December 1939

1st December 1939

Individual training continued as in earlier months. A copy of the "Operation Instructions No 1", together with Amendment NO. 1, as issued by the Brigade, dated 30th November 1939 were attached as an Appendix to the War Diary, covering the Brigade's responsibilities under the area Civil Defence Scheme, dated 19th October 1939.

4th December 1939

Young officers’ course numbers 2 started, with a total of thirteen Officers - five each from the 10th and 12th Battalions, and three from the 11th Battalion taking part.

5th December 1939

New officers were posted in from the 163rd Course from the Officer Candidate Training Unit at Shorncliffe.

All were posted to the 10th Battalion as follows:-

2/Lt J.H.Davis

2/Lt N.J.Seymour

2/Lt J.R.K.Steele

2/Lt M.R.H.Watkins

6th December 1939

The Brigade has a visit from Major Bland, Deputy Assistant Director of Supply.

Training events included aircraft identification. More administrative visits took place, such as GS03, PT.

7th December 1939

A lecture was given in the morning at the Pelaw Welfare Hall, Chester-le-Street on the identification of aircraft by Flt. Lt. Irish of the R.A.F., and was repeated in the afternoon at the Infantry Training Centre, Brancepeth Castle.

The N.A.A.F.I. organised a Mobile Cinema Show at Lambton Castle.

A Concert was given at the Jubilee Hall, BISHOP AUCKLAND, by the Bishop Auckland Dramatic Society.

11th December 1939

A Coy 10th Bn moved back to DARLINGTON on Civil Defence duties from BISHOP AUCKLAND.

14th December 1939

10th Bn (less A Coy) moved from BISHOP AUCKLAND to SOUTH SHIELDS – billeted in schools in Mowbray and Stanhope Roads. Coy 12th Bn marched from SOUTH SHIELDS to GATESHEAD.

15th December 1939

Coy 12th Bn moved to GATESHEAD from SUNDERLAND. 2 Coys moved to other schools in GATESHEAD.

19th December 1939

Concert in the Central Hall at GATESHEAD.

21st December 1939

Concert in the Empire Ballroom, CHESTER-LE-STREET. D Coy 10th Bn changed to Baring Street schools in SOUTH SHIELDS from Stanhope Road.

22nd December 1939

A Coy 10th Bn joined D Coy at Baring Street, SOUTH SHIELDS, from DARLINGTON. Concert – St Joan RC Hall, DUNSTON.