25th Mule Company, War Diary April 1942
1 April 1942
19:00 hours. A bright mild day with intermittent showers.
Company preparing for move to Camp.
2 April 1942
19:00 hours. A warm sunny day. Continued preparations for move to Camp.
3 April 1942
23:00 hours. A dull damp day which later changed to rain.
? ? to ? at preparations for move to Training Camp and in afternoon unit march by march route to BRECON Railway Station in three separate parties whose loading of baggage were ? and animals were entrained.
First party of unit under command of Lt H E F MORRIS entrained at 21:15 hours and train moved out at 21:35 hours. In addition to Lt MORRIS this train carried 2 NCOs and 91 Indian Other Ranks and 108 animals.
4 April 1942
22:00 hours. 2nd party of unit with Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M. in charge entrained at 03:15 hours and the train moved out at 03:30 hours. This party consisted of 4 NCOs 90 Indian Other Ranks and 108 animals.
Third party of unit Captain W JAMESON in command entrained at 07:15 hours and train moved out at 07:30 hours. This party consisted of Veterinary Officer (Major J P HEGARTY M.C., RAVC) 1 VCO, 93 Indian Other Ranks and 109 animals.
Major J Finlay M.B.E. representing the Indian Contingent was present at the Railway Station to see the train off.
Parties detrained PORTMADOC at 06:00 hours, 12:00 hours and 15:30 hours respectively and marched to Camp. Company was all in Camp by 20:00 hours. A wet miserable day.
5 April 1942
21:00 hours. A bright morning but later in the day there was heavy rain. Company employed in settling in Camp and preparing lines and standings. Commanding Officer (Captain W JAMESON) accompanied by Lieut A V COWELL and Lieut H E F MORRIS visited the 70th Infantry Brigade, 187th Field Ambulance and 757 Field Company Royal Engineers to discuss future Pack Transport Training.
6 April 1942
21:00 hours. A wet and windy day. Some Pack Transport Training was carried out with affiliated units except 757 Field Company Royal Engineers which up to date had not carried out training of any sort with Pack Transport. Officer Commanding the Company visited HQ 70th Infantry Brigade in connection with a reconnaissance to be carried out on 7 April 1942 ? 757 Field Company, Royal Engineers in connection with drawing up a programme for Pack Transport Training.
7 April 1942
21:00 hours. A very wet day. Pack Transport training was carried out with affiliated units. A packing and loading class for personnel of 757 Field Company R.E. at which demonstration squads were provided by the Company under the supervision of Lt A V COWELL and Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M. Officer Commanding the Company and Unit Veterinary Officer accompanied Commander 70th Infantry Brigade and his staff on a reconnaissance of Camp site.
8 April 1942
21:00 hours. A dry but cold day. Advantage was taken of weather conditions to improve lines and Camp site where possible. Officer Commanding the Company accompanied by Q.M.D. attended a conference at Brigade HQ. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued. D.D.S.T. Western Command (Brigadier C G C Blunt D.S.O., O.B.E.) visited the Company. Welfare Officer Indian Contingent (Captain CHANDRA) visited the Company.
9 April 1942
21:00 hours. A cold wet day. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued. Commander Indian Contingent (Col R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C.) visited the unit and was accompanied on his visit by Honorary Lieutenant MOHD ASHRAF I.O.M, I.D.S.M.
10 April 1942
20:00 hours. A pleasant sunny day after a bitter wet night. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued. Lt Col J M McNAMARA RAMC, Commanding 147th Field Ambulance visited the unit to discuss Medical and Sanitary questions. P.T.L.O. (Major H N N FAWCETT) visited the unit.
A cinema performance was held in the evening at which the personnel of the unit attended.
11 April 1942
19:00 hours. Unit Administration day – no Pack Transport Training with units. Company ? played as per routine programme.
P.T.L.O. (Major H M N FAWCETT) visited the Company. Officer Commanding the Company (Captain W JAMESON) attended a conference held by P.T.L.O.
In evening men attended cinema performance given by NAAFI and Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent. A day of variable weather. Wet in the morning and warm and sunny in the afternoon.
12 April 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. Personnel attended radio programme in the morning and afterwards a programme of gramophone records given by Welfare Officer (Captain CHANDRA). D.A.D.V. & R.S. Western Command (Major H D LEWIS RAVC) visited the unit. A warm sunny day.
13 April 1942
19:00 hours. A fine warm day. Pack Transport Training with affitilated units continued. Captain T S PRYCE R.E. of 757 Field Company R.E. visited the unit to discuss R.E. works in the Camp. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) visited HQ 70th Infantry Brigade. Officer Commanding visited patients in hospital at 11 C.C.S. PORTMADOC.
14 April 1942
19:00 hours. A fine warm day. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units was continued. Lieut J C BIRCHALL RAMC 187th Field Ambulance visits the unit to inspect sanitary arrangements. 150 men of the unit attended a cinema performance.
15 April 1942
19:00 hours. A fine sunny day. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued. Lt H E F MORRIS with 2 VCOs and 27 Indian Other Ranks and 82 animals participated in a 36 – hour exercise arranged by 187th Field Ambulance.
16 April 1942
A fine warm day. Pack Transport training with affiliated units continued – balance of unit carried out work as per daily routine. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) and Lieut A V COWELL accompanied P.T.L.O. (Major H N N FAWCETT) on a reconnaissance in connection with a Brigade Signal Exercise to be held on 18 April 1942. The whole Company had a bath at Mobile Bath Unit.
17 April 1942
19:00 hours. A fine warm day. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units. Lt A V COWELL with men and animals participated in a Brigade Signal Exercise and bivouacked night 17/18 at 035.623 (sheet 49).
18 April 1942
19:00 hours. A fine warm day. Unit administration day. Respirators were worn by all ranks at stables. Unit Medical Officer carried out medical inspection of “A” and “B” Troops. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) attended a conference held by P.T.L.O. (Major H N N FAWCETT) for Mule Company Commanders.
19 April 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. A unit Durbar was held. Personnel attended Sunday radio programme. Medical Inspection of “C” and “D” Troops was carried out.
20 April 1942 Training Camp.
19:00 hours. A dull cold day. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units was continued. Lieut A V COWELL delivered a lecture on current affairs.
21 April 1942
19:00 hours. A bright sunny day. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units. Lt H E F MORRIS carried out a reconnaissance in connection with a Company route march to be carried out on 22nd April 1942.
Welfare Officer Indian Contingent (Captain CHANDRA) visited the unit. D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands (Major H D Lewis RAVC) visited the unit. Personnel attended a cinema show in the YMCA tent.
22 April 1942
19:00 hours. A mild dull day. Company (less men and animals on training with units) carried out a route march under the Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON).
23 April 1942
19:00 hours. A dull cold day which later turned to rain. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued. S.M.O. Indian Contingent (Major J W A PARSONS M.B.E., I.M.S.) visited the unit.
24 April 1942
19:00 hours. A sunny day with cold wind. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued.
25 April 1942
19:00 hours. A bright sunny day with cold wind. Major H D Lewis RAVC D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands carried out a veterinary inspection of animals. Captain W JAMESON delivered a lecture on current affairs.
26 April 1942
19:00 hours. SUNDAY. A sunny dry day with cold wind. Personnel attended the Sunday morning radio programme.
27 April 1942
19:00 hours. A sunny day with cold wind. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued.
28 April 1942
19:00 hours. A sunny day with strong wind. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued.
Brigadier P. KIRKUP D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C.,T.D. visited the unit and was accompanied by P.T.L.O. (Major H N N Fawcett). Educational Officer Indian Contingent (W.O.1 Brown A.E.C.) visited the unit and discussed educational questions.
29 April 1942
19:00 hours. A sunny day with strong wind. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued.
30 April 1942
A warm sunny day. Company (les those men and animals in training with affiliated units) carried out a day route march under the Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON).
Officer Commanding attended a conference for Mule Company Commanders held by P.T.L.O. (Major H N N FAWCETT).
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