1st Tyneside Scottish June 1942

1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish War Diary June 1942

1st June 1942 PEMBROKE.

At 19:55 hours a draft of 30 Other Ranks joined the unit from No 8 Infantry Training Centre (Perth).

4th June 1942

At 08:30 hours all Companies went on a route march of a distance of approximately 20 miles.

Administrative Instruction No 11 was issued containing instructions for the movement of the unit to KINGTON. This was attached to the War Diary as Appendix 1 – for details see below.

6th June 1942

At 09:00 Instruction S/2/C was issued regarding the move and a copy was filed with the War Diary as Appendix 2 – for further details see below.

At 21:50 hours the first train left for KINGTON.

7th June 1942

At 00:05 hours the second train left PEMBROKE for KINGTON carrying the Main Body of the battalion. The Brigade Commander visited TYNEDALE Camp.

At 06:30 hours the first train arrived at KINGTON.

At 08:30 hours the second train arrived at KINGTON. The Battalion marched with Pipes and Drums from the Station to TYNEDALE Camp.

8th June 1942

At 08:30 hours training commenced in accordance with the Training Programme – a copy of which was attached to the War Diary as Appendix 3 – for details see below.

11th June 1942

At 14:00 hours a further draft of 55 Other Ranks joined the unit from No 8 Infantry Training Centre.

30 Other Ranks were attached to 156th Brigade as Instructors in Mountain Warfare.

12th June 1942

Battalion HQ and Nos. 1 and 2 Platoons took part in a Brigade skeleton exercise in CARMARTHEN.

The Training Programme for the week ending 21st June was issued and a copy attached to the War Diary as Appendix 4 – for details see below.

2/Lt Buchanan reported for duty with the Battalion from 164 Officer Cadet Training Unit.

15th June 1942

Captain Calderwood and Lt MacLaglan were attached to the 49th Division Battle School as Instructors.

At 10:00 hours the Battalion began an all-night exercise involving a night advance and an attack at dawn.

2/Lt Brian Stewart joined the Battalion for duty from 164 Officer Cadet Training Unit.

At 11:30 hours C Company and two detachments of No 3 Platoon left to be attached as a demonstration Company to the Western Command Training School at DODDINGTON HALL, Nantwich.

A Training Instruction was issued. The Battalion took part in 70th Brigade Exercise “DON”. Movement was practised with No 55 Troop Carrying Company, RASC. Details were set out on Appendix 5 attached to the War Diary – for further information see below.

22nd June 1942

At 08:30 a Battalion Exercise was held involving A, B and D Companies.

At 15:30 hours the Brigade Commander held a conference in the Mess at TYNEDALE Camp on Brigade Exercise “DON”.

23rd June 1942

At 06:00 hours Battalion HQ (less the Medical Officer) plus Nos. 1 and 2 Platoons took part in a Divisional skeleton exercise “CRASSUS” in the CARMARTHEN area.

24th June 1942

At 09:30 hours a Battalion Exercise was held – adopting a defensive position and executing a dawn attack – involving A, B abd D Companies with detachments of 3 and 4 Platoons and a skeleton enemy.

At 17:30 hours the Commanding Officer and the Officer commanding No 1 Platoon attended a conference on Divisional Exercise “CRASSUS”.

26th June 1942

The Training Programme was issued for the week ending 4th July 1942, and a copy was attached to the War Diary as Appendix 6 – for details see below.

Appendices attached to the Tyneside Scottish War Diary – June 1942:-

Appendix 1 – Administrative Instruction No 11 of 1942 – issued 4th June 1942.

This single page dealt with the issues of baggage handling and the entrainment of the Battalion for the move. The Carriers were to travel on Warflats hauled by a train commanded by 2/Lieut J.G. Allan, who would supervise their loading on the morning of 6th June – departing PEMBROKE at 21:50 hours.

The personnel train was due to depart PEMBROKE at 00:05 hours on 7th June with Major K.K.Walmsley in command.

Lieut A.S. Lawrie was due to command the Rear Party vice Lt MacLagan.

Appendix 2 – Move to KINGTON – issued 6th June 1942.

This single page gave further instructions on the impending move and concentrated on the timings of the rail and road moves. In addition warnings were given of disciplinary measures to be taken if men were absent when departure time arrived. The role and functions of the Rear Party were further described.

Appendix 3 – Training Programme – week ending 13th June 1942 – issued 5th June 1942.

The main element of the week’s training was a 22-mile reconnaissance march through the new training area by all Companies under their 2 i/cs. Two days were spent on Battle Drills and one day on a tactical exercise, with spells of Drill and individual training. Range firing was to be fitted into the programme as availability of \range facilities dictated.

Appendix 4 - Training Programme – week ending 21st June 1942 – issued 11th June 1942.

The major element of the week was a two-day Battalion exercise, including a night out. Range firing, grenade throwing and swimming instruction took place. The RSM’s Drill Parade was to be carried out wearing respirators. As mentioned earlier, conferences were to be held down to Platoon level to discuss the various exercises, and time was allowed for that.

Between 12th and 20th June 4 NCOs and 20 men were given traffic control training under a qualified instructor, while the Signallers’ classification course continued for its fourth week..

Appendix 5 - Training Programme – week ending 27th June 1942 – issued 18th June 1942.

This week was taken up with three Battalion exercises, one of which was a driving exercise at night, a Divisional skeleton exercise, together with range firing, grenade throwing and swimming instruction. The RSM’s Drill Parade was timed for the end of the week.

Appendix 6 - Training Programme – week ending 4th July 1942 – issued 26th June 1942.

This programme included a Battalion exercise, range firing and swimming, together with a Field Engineering day involving siting and digging weapon pits.

At the beginning of July the programme featured an Inter-Brigade Divisional Exercise “EQUATOR”

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