70th Infantry Brigade War Diary September 1939

A conference had been held on 9.6.1939 to discuss the title of 23rd Division – whether in fact it should be 63rd.

Reference was made to the First World War links with 50th Division, when the 23rd Division had included both the 12th and 13th Battalions DLI (New Army) and had fought on the left of the 50th Division on the Somme in 1916. The 50th and 23rd Divisions had met again at the 3rd Battle of Ypres in 1917.

The prevailing view was that 23rd was most appropriate and the 23rd was eventually authorised after an appeal by ex-officers to Mr Hore-Belisha. The duplicate to 151 Brigade became 70 Brigade. The Commander of 50th Division, Maj Gen le Q Martel instructed on 14 6 1939 that the procedure for the final separation of the original and duplicate units should be….”The date from which a duplicate unit is considered sufficiently organised to be independent of the “original” unit will be decided and reported to 50th Division”. Separation was to be on a geographical basis. The idea was to create a 150 (N.Durham) Brigade under Brigadier Kirkup 9th, 12th and 11th at Chester-le-Street. 151 would be S. Durham Brigade under Brigadier Churchill with 8th, 6th and 10th and their HQ at Durham City. Both Brigades would be part of 50th Division. The original 150 Brigade and its duplicate had been intended to make up 23rd Division – both Divisions were intended to be motorised. However, the annual training for 151 Brigade at Whitby had been fixed for 10th – 24th September 1939 so the Battalions could take part in some exercises in Yorkshire – separation into the new Brigades was to be deferred until after the conclusion of this camp with all personnel attending – recruits for the two weeks, trained men taking part in the exercises on the second week. Mobilisation interfered with these plans with one Division going overseas as soon as possible. All trained men except the duplicate CO, adjutant, Quartermasters and a cadre were kept in the original 151 Brigade Battalions which formed 50 Division along with 150 Brigade. The latter Battalions formed 70 Brigade. For the time being 69 and 70 Brigades in 23rd Division were administered by 50th Division and this applied when embodiment took place on 1 9 1939.

Embodiment ordered. Brigade HQ established at Mains House (junction of West Lane and Front Street) Chester-le-Street. Brigadier P Kirkup DSO OBE MC TDD (ex 8 DLI TA Commander). Capt Fillingham, Brigade Major, Lieut Trail Staff Captain, 2/Lieut Catto Intelligence Officer. HQ 41st (Durham) National Defence Corps also set up at Mains House, Lt Col Stafford commanding/Maj. Boys-Stones as Adjutant. 10th Bn HQ Bishop Auckland. 11th Bn HQ Durham, Coys at Birtley, Chester-le-Street, Stanley, Houghton-le-Spring.