25th Mule Company, War Diary March 1942
1 March 1942 Llangattock Park, Crickhowell.
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. Personnel attended radio programme in the morning. Major Porter RAVC reported his departure on posting to Remount Depot ASHBOURNE. A dull but mild day.
2 March 1942
20:00 hours. A mild, dull day. A Sub-Division under command of Lieut H E F MORRIS proceeded on a pack training exercise with 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH), remainder of Company carried out a day route march, at which Pack Transport Course 3 (a) attended. Lieut (A.C.) W JAMESON visited HQ 70th Infantry Brigade to discuss Pack Transport training. Pay for February 1942 disbursed. Lieut (A.C.) W JAMESON and Lieut H E F MORRIS attended a conference on the pack training exercise at 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH). 2/Lt I A CORNISH rejoined from leave.
3 March 1942
22:00 hours. "A" Sub-Division continued training with 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH). Training in packing and loading also carried out with the HQ 70th Infantry Brigade and Brigade Signal Section. Pack Transport Course 3 (a) carried out a ? Scheme. Captain W J GREGORY R.E., G.E. ABERGAVENNY visited the Company to discuss the progress of R.E. and Contract work in the Camp.
Major J P HEGARTY M.C. RAVC reported his arrival on posting to the Company from Remount Depot, ASHBOURNE.
Jemadar MOHD JAMSHED KHAN I.A.V.C. proceed on leave to MODBURY including 3 days inclusive to 9 March.
4 March 1942
19:00 hours. A mild day with some rain.
2/Lt I A CORNISH reported departure on proceeding on transfer to 7 Mule Company, St. Austell.
Pack Transport training with HQ 70th Infantry Brigade, Brigade Signals and 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) continued.
Major General M M LOCKHART C.I.E., M.C. Military Secretary to the Secretary of State for India visited the unit, accompanied by Commander, Indian Contingent (Colonel R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C.) and Honorary Lieutenant MOHD ASHRAF I.O.M., I.D.S.M.
Major W D LEWIS RAVC DADV & RS Southern and Western Commands visited the unit.
Major H N N FAWCETT attended a TEWT at HQ 70th Infantry Brigade.
5 March 1942
19:00 hours. A dull day, some drizzle. 100 animals proceeded to 47 S.D.S. to draw rations. Training in Pack Transport with 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) and HQ 70th Infantry Brigade and Brigade Signals Section continued.
6 March 1942
23:00 hours. A dull day with snow on the ground and falling. Lt (A.C.) W JAMESON promoted Acting Captain.
Captain W JAMESON assumed command of the Company vice Major H N N FAWCETT transferred to HQ Indian Contingent.
Pack Transport Course 3 (a) dispersed. A written examination for tests “D” and “E” of the Indian Army English 2nd level Certificate was held at which three Indian Other Ranks from the Company presented themselves for examination. A short course of instruction in Grooming for Other Ranks of the 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) and 11th DLI commenced.
Jemadar ABDULLA reported his arrival from No. 3 Mule Company on transfer.
Pack Transport training with HQ 70th Infantry Brigade and Brigade Signals Section and 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) continued, the latter unit carried out a night scheme in pack. 100 animals proceeded to 47 S.D.S. to draw rations.
7 March 1942
19:00 hours. A cold, frosty day – snow still lying. Lt H E F MORRIS proceeded on 48 hours leave, inclusive of 7 and 8 March.
Rissaldar KARAM DAD reported his departure on transfer to Reinforcement Unit, Indian Contingent.
8 March 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. Personnel attended the radio programme in the morning. A bright cold day.
11 March 1942
19:00 hours. Visit by Commander, Indian Contingent (Col R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C.). Personnel attended a cinema performance in YMCA.
12 March 1942
19:00 hours. A wet, misty day. Officer Commanding the Company (Captain W JAMESON) attended a conference at HQ Indian Contingent.
Four remounts were received from 2 Field Remount Depot at ASHBOURNE.
13 March 1942
19:00 hours. A cold, dull day. Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M. and Jemadar MOHD JAMSHED KHAN proceeded to RHYL to attend an Indian Gala Night.
No. 1 Sub-Division continued Pack Transport Training with 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH). 98 animals proceeded to 47 S.D.S. to draw rations.
40 RASC Officers visited the unit on a sightseeing tour. A cinema performance was held in YMCA.
14 March 1942
22:00 hours. A mild dull day. Lieut H E F MORRIS attended HQ Indian Contingent as a member of a Court of Enquiry.
Captain W JAMESON delivered a lecture to the men on current affairs.
The short grooming course for Other Ranks of 1st TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) and 11th DLI finished.
Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M. and Jemadar MOHD JAMSHED KHAN I.A.V.C. rejoined from RHYL.
15 March 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. Personnel attended the Radio programme in the morning. A ceremonial parade was held at which the Commander, Indian Contingent (Col R W W HILLS O.B.E. M.C.) presented the efficiency trophy won by the unit for the quarter ending 28 February 1942 to the unit. A mild drizzly day.
16 March 1942
19:00 hours. A mild day with some rain. 2/Lt J E PITTS –TUCKER reported to the unit for attachment.
Guard (one Naik, two Lance-Naiks and ten drivers) mounted at HQ Indian Contingent.
The Company had given a demonstration and practice in slinging animals.
17 March 1942
19:00 hours. A mild day with intermittent drizzle. Lieut Col L BESWICK RASC, A D S &T, GHQ Home Forces visited the unit and was accompanied by Captain T W P Hexley, adjutant, Indian Contingent.
A lecture and demonstration on Special Cold Climate Clothing was given to NCOs and Senior NCOs by Lieut H E F MORRIS.
18 March 1942
19:00 hours. A mild, dull day. HQ 70th Infantry Brigade and Brigade Signals Section carried out a pack transport exercise in which 38 animals of the unit were employed. Officer Commanding the Company, Captain W JAMESON visited Brigade HQ to discuss Pack Transport Training. Practice in slinging animals was carried out.
19 March 1942
19:00 hours. A mild day, bright but with intermittent showers. The D.D.V.S. War Office (Lieut Col A A PRYER D.S.O. RAVC) inspected unit animals and was accompanied by Major H D Lewis RAVC, D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands. A demonstration of the methods of slinging animals was held for NCOs and NCOs of 29 and 32 Mule Companies and R.U. P.T.L.O. (Major H N N FAWCETT) carried out the demonstration and Commander Indian Contingent (Colonel R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C.) was present.
20 March 1942
19:00 hours. A bright sunny day. 80 pack animals and 4 G.S. Wagons proceeded to 47 S.D.S. to draw rations. S.M. Indian Contingent – Major Parsons M.B.E. I.M.S. accompanied by Captain EMPEY O.B.E., I.M.S. visited the unit.
21 March 1942
19:00 hours. A bright sunny day. Lieut H E F MORRIS accompanied by Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M. and Jemadar UMAR HAYAT KHAN I.M.D. visited patients in Indian General Hospital.
Company hockey team played a match with a team from HQ South Wales District.
2/Lt PITTS – STUCKER completed his attachment to the unit.
22 March 1942
19:00 hours. A dull cold day. Personnel attended radio programme in YMCA. Personnel attended a cinema performance in evening at CRICKHOWELL cinema.
23 March 1942
19:00 hours. A bright sunny day. Education Officer Indian Contingent (W.O.1 Brown A.E.C.) visited the unit to discuss education training. Men and animals of the Company practiced in slinging animals.
24 March 1942
19:00 hours. A bright sunny day. Captain EMPEY O.B.E., I.M.S. carried out a medical inspection of the unit.
Lieut A V COWELL reported his arrival on posting to the Company from HQ Indian Contingent.
All available personnel carried out a Gas Chamber test.
F A C Indian Contingent (Subadar-Major SHER MOHD MIR M.A.D.) visited the unit to carry out inspection of animals.
25 March 1942
19:00 hours. A fine warm day. Unit Advance Party consisting of Lt A V COWELL, I.A.Q.M. and nineteen Other Ranks proceeded to Training Camp (OS Map Sheet 49 – 072 670).
Jemadar UMAR HAYAT KHAN I.M.D. reported his departure on transfer to 42 Mule Company.
Jemadar BASHIR HUSAIN I.M.D. reported his arrival on transfer from 42 Mule Company.
Men and animals of A Troop were practised in slinging animals.
26 March 1942
19:00 hours. A fine sunny day. Company carried out a day route march under Lieut H E F MORRIS. The D.A.D. V. & R.S. Western Command (Major H D Lewis RAVC) visited the unit.
27 March 1942
A fine warm day. Indian Contingent (Major PARSONS M.B.E., I.M.S.) accompanied by Captain EMPEY O.B.E., I.M.S. carried out a medical inspection of the unit. F.A.O. Indian Contingent (Subadar-Major SHER MOHD MIR M.A.D.) completed his inspection of unit accounts.
28 March 1942
19:00 hours. A dull day and colder than of late. Rissaldar MIR ZAMAN and Jemadar MAKHAN KHAN proceeded to WATFORD and attended a tea party.
25 pack animals proceeded to 47 S.D.S. to draw rations. Lieut H E F MORRIS delivered a lecture on current affairs.
29 March 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. A warm sunny day. Personnel attended radio programmes in connection with the National Day of Prayer. Special prayers were said by Company Maulvi. Personnel attended a cinema performance in YMCA.
30 March 1942
22:00 hours. A fine day though dull. D.A.D.V. & R.S. Western Command (Major H D LEWIS RAVC) visited the unit. Officer Commanding the Company (Captain W JAMESON) attended a conference at HQ Movement Control at ABERGAVENNY in connection with furthering move of Company to Training Area. I.A. (Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M. ) rejoined from Advance Party. Rissaldar MIA ZAMAN and Jemadar MAKHAN KHAN rejoined from WATFORD.
31 March 1942
19:00 A mild but rainy day. Commandant Indian Contingent (Col R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C.) visited the unit and was accompanied by P.T.L.O (Major H N N FAWCETT).
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
