25th Mule Company, War Diary July 1942

1 July 1942 Training Camp.

19:30 hours. A bright sunny day. Company HQ, “A” and “B” Troops carried out a route march in which grazing of animals was combined.

Pay for June 1942 drawn and disbursed. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) and Veterinary Officer (Major J P HEGARTY M.C., RAVC) visited “C” and “D” Troops in Field Firing area. Jemadar WALI MOHD rejoined from hospital.

2 July 1942

20:30 hours. A warm sunny day on which normal routine was carried out. “B” Sub-Division rejoined from Field Firing Area.

3 July 1942

A dull showery day, weather cooler. Normal routine carried out.

4 July 1942

09:00 hours. A day of heavy rain – normal routine carried out as far as possible.

Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M. delivered a lecture on current affairs.

Two Naiks proceeded on HQ Indian Contingent English Course. Major J P HEGARTY M.C. RAVC proceeded to CHESTER for Admission to Hospital for operational treatment.

5 July 1942

09:45 hours. SUNDAY. A cold windy day – personnel attended Sunday radio programme.

Advance Party of unit consisting of Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M. and 18 Other Ranks entrained en route to new location.

6 July 1942

08:45 hours. A pleasant day after some days of bad weather. Normal routine carried out. Honorary Lieutenant MOD ASHRAF I.O.M, I.D.S.M. visited the unit. Education Officer Indian Contingent (W.O.1 Brown Army Education Corps) visited the unit.

7 July 1942

Company carried out a day route march by Sub-Divisions. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) attended a conference in connection with forthcoming move with Railway Transport Officer BARMOUTH and Railway Authorities at PORTMADOC Railway Station.

8 July 1942

Lieut A V COWELL proceeded on leave incl 8 incl 9 July 1942. A warm sunny day on which normal routine was carried out. Col STEVENSON, in charge of Administration, N Wales District, visited the unit.

9 July 1942

Two Naiks left the unit on posting to Reinforcement Unit. A warm sunny day. Company carried out route march by Sub-Divisions during which opportunity was taken to graze animals.

10 July 1942

Lt A V COWELL rejoined from leave. A day of undertain weather. Normal routine was carried out.

11 July 1942

08:45 hours. A dull, mild day, overcast. Normal routine was carried out. The D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands (Major H D Lewis RAVC) visited the unit and carried out a veterinary inspection of animals.

12 July 1942

09:45 hours. SUNDAY – A pleasant sunny day. Personnel attended radio programme.

13 July 1942

08:05 hours. A wet day. Normal routine carried out as far as possible.

14 July 1942

08:45 hours. Weather uncertain with patches of sunshine. Unit commenced loading baggage in preparation for move to new location. Normal routine carried out as far as possible. A party of 70 Indian Other Ranks left unit for posting to Reinforcement Unit for repatriation. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) attended a Conference of Unit Commanders presided over by Major H N N FAWCETT.

20:30 hours. A dull uncertain day. Unit mainly employed in preparation for move to new location.

16 July 1942

A day of uncertain weather, mainly showery. The Company (less Rear Party under Lieut A V COWELL) entrained at PORTMADOC in three trains for new locations. Trains departed PORTMADOC at 09:00, 14:15 and 21:35 hours respectively, and were commanded by RISSALDAR MAHKAN KHAN, Rissaldar MIR ZAMAN and Captain W JAMESON respectively. Entrainment and departure passed off without incident.

17 July 1942 DALWHINNIE.

07:30 hours. Company detrained DALWHINNIE at 06:20, 11:30 and 19:00 hours respectively and bivouacked there night 17/18 July. Detrainment was carried out without incident. All trains were met by Major H N N FAWCETT.

18 July 1942

19:00 hours. Company marched from DALWHINNIE Railway Station to point 243.220 where it bivouacked for night 18/19 July. Commander Indian Contingent (Col R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C.) assisted the Company.

19 July 1942

Company marched from point 243.220 to new location at 588.320 by road. A day of variable weather with frequent showers.

20 July 1942

09:15 hours. A bright day, dull in the morning but bright in the afternoon. Unit occupied in settling in new Camp.  ? ? had reported arrival on posting from the Reinforcement Unit. Personnel attended a showing of the film “NEXT OF KIN” arranged by Welfare Officer (Captain CHANDRA).

21 July 1942

A day of uncertain weather, mainly dull and showery.  Normal routine carried out.  The D.A.V.D. & R.S. Scottish Command (Major D A GILLMOR RAVC) visited the unit.  The draft of 70 Indian Other Ranks arrived on posting from Reinforcement Unit.

22 July 1942

A day of uncertain weather – mainly rain. Normal routine carried out as far as possible.

23 July 1942

09:15 hours. A rainy day on which normal routine was carried out as far as possible. Rissaldar MIR ZAMAN reported departure on posting to Reinforcement Unit. Rissaldar QUTAB DIN KHAN reported arrival on posting from Reinforcement Unit.

24 July 1942

20:30 hours. A day of uncertain weather. Normal routine carried out as far as possible.

25 July 1942

19:15 hours. Another day of uncertain weather – frequent showers. Normal routine carried out as far as possible. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) attended a conference of Transport Company Commanders held by Officer Commanding No. 4 Pack Group (Major H N N FAWCETT). Lieut H E F MORRIS rejoined from sick leave. Jemadar ISHRATYAR KHAN reported arrival on posting from 47 S.D.S.

26 July 1942

20:30 hours. SUNDAY. Weather mainly showery. Personnel attended radio programme. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) visited Brigade HQ, Field Company, Field Ambulance to meet Officers Commanding and discuss future Pack Transport Training.

Lieutenant J C G BRADFIELD reported arrival on posting from No. 3 Mule Company.

27 July 1942

19:00 hours. Weather still uncertain and showery. Unit commenced Pack Transport Training with Brigade HQ and Signal Section, Field Company and Field Ambulance. Lieut A V COWELL with Rear Party rejoined unit from old location.

28 July 1942

Weather still showery and uncertain. Pack Transport Training with affiliate units continued. Remainder of Company not employed in training carried out normal routine. Commander Indian Contingent (Col R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C.)visited the unit and was accompanied by Rissaldar and Honorary Lieutenant MOHD ASHRAF I.O.M., I.D.S.M.

Lieut H F MORRIS reported departure on transfer to 7 Mule Company.

29 July 1942

Weather again uncertain though mainly fine. Company continued Pack Transport Training with affiliated units and those not employed in such training carried out normal routine. M.O. carried out monthly medical inspection of personnel of Company HQ, “A” and “B” Troops.

30 July 1942

A fine dry day. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units continued and personnel and animals not so employed carried out normal routine. M.O. carried out monthly medical inspection of “C” and “D” Troops.

Lieut P C KHANNA reported arrival on posting from Reinforcement Unit. Personnel attended a cinema performance arranged by Indian Contingent Welfare Officer (Captain CHANDRA).

31 July 1942

11:00 hours. A day of uncertain weather, inclined to be showery. Pack Transport Training with affiliated units was continued and balance of Company not so employed carried out a day route march.

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