29th Mule Company, War Diary January 1942

1 January 1942 BRYNGWYN.

20:00 hours. 2/Lt M THOMAS RIASC proceeded to ONIBURY, SALOP to attend Junior Leaders’ Course there. Weather severe, cold and cloudy all day.

2 January 1942

20:30 hours. Major H D LEWIS RAVC, D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands visited the unit and inspected all animals. Weather very cold and cloudy.

3 January 1942

20:30 hours. C.O. proceeded to HQ Indian Contingent and discussed some points with Adjutant re mobilisation. Weather cold and cloudy.

4 January 1942

21:00 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather uncertain sun shining at intervals.

5 January 1942

21:00 hours. YMCA Canteen stores were drawn from Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent. Weather uncertain and cold, sun shining at intervals.

6 January 1942

21:30 hours. Lieut Col R. ATAAR K.S.L.I., I.T.C. visited the unit. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.

7 January 1942

21:00 hours. Dental inspection of all ranks was carried out by an Officer of Army Dental Corps. Medical stores were drawn from Military Hospital, WORCESTER. A cinema show was arranged by Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent in YMCA Hall. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.

8 January 1942

21:00 hours. Major C.U.K. PORTER RAVC Senior Veterinary Officer, Indian Contingent, visited the unit and inspected the animals.

Lieut A.F. ESTLICK proceeded to Doncaster to attend a demonstration to be held by No.2. Pack Transport Company RASC there. Weather bright and clear but cold.

9 January 1942

21:30 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather bright and clear but very cold.

10 January 1942

21:00 hours. Lt A F ESTLICK RIASC returned from DONCASTER. Weather cold and uncertain, sun shining at intervals.

11 January 1942

21:30 hours. A short lecture on “Current News” was delivered by Major R B Le-CORNU M.C, RIASC to all available personnel. Weather clear and bright but very cold.

12 January 1942

21:30 hours. Unit Durbar held at 15:00 hours. Education Officer, Indian Contingent visited the unit and conducted an examination for 3rd Class English Certificates. Weather uncertain, foggy and cold.

13 January 1942

21:00 hours. Lt C H STAINFORTH RIASC, Admin. Officer Indian Contingent visited the unit and went round the lines. A training film was shown in YMCA Hall to all personnel. Weather cold and cloudy.

14 January 1942

Major H D LEWIS RAVC, D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands visited the unit and inspected all animals. Weather cloudy and cold.

15 January 1942

21:00 hours. Lieut A F ESTLICK RIASC gave a lecture on “News of the World” to all personnel. Weather frosty and cold.

16 January 1942

21:30 hours. Company Muster Parade and Route March was carried out at 10:00 hours. Weather frosty and severe cold.

17 January 1942

21:00 hours. A cinema show was arranged by Doctor CHANDARA, Welfare Officer, in afternoon in YMCA Hall. Weather cloudy and very cold.

18 January 1942

21:00 hours. Major H D LEWIS RAVC, D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands, visited the unit and inspected the animals. Weather cloudy and heavy snow.

19 January 1942

21:30 hours. Lt C LEWIS. Claims Officer, Central Midland District, visited the unit. Weather very cold and heavy snow all day.

20 January 1942

21:00 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather very cold and heavy snow.

21 January 1942

21:00 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather very cold and heavy snow and frost.

22 January 1942

21:30 hours. Lieut D A WILSON R.E. Garrison Engineer, HEREFORD visited the unit and discussed some points. Rissaldar INAYAT SHAH gave a lecture to the unit on “ICELAND”. Weather very cold and heavy snow all day.

23 January 1942

21:00 hours. Medical stores were drawn from Military Hospital, WORCESTER. A short lecture was delivered by Major R B Le-CORNU M.C. RIASC on “Current Affairs”. Weather very cold and raining all day.

24 January 1942

21:00 hours. Captain CHANDARA D.S.G. YMCA Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent, gave a cinema show in YMCA Hall and an Indian Conjuror gave a performance after that. Weather cold and cloudy.

25 January 1942

21:30 hours. A short lecture was given by Lt A F ESTLICK RIASC on “Current News”. Weather clear and bright and heavy N.W. wind.

26 January 1942

21:00 hours. Major General G G WATERHOUSE C.B., M.C. Commanding General Midland District, and Commander, Indian Contingent, visited the unit and went round the Camp. Weather bright and clear with heavy N W wind.

27 January 1942

21:30 hours. Unit establishment was paid out. Weather very cold, raining all day.

28 January 1942

21:30 hours. Two Training Films were shown to the personnel of this unit in YMCA Hall by Educational Instructor Sgt W.J. BARNES A.E.C. Weather uncertain and cold, sun shining at intervals.

29 January 1942

21:00 hours. 2/Lieut M THOMAS RIASC returned from Junior Leaders’ School, ONIBURY, SALOP on completion of his Course. Weather cloudy and cold.

30 January 1942

21:30 hours. YMCA Canteen Stores were drawn from Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent. Weather cloudy with slight rain.

31 January 1942

21:30 hours. “A” Troop of the unit proceeded under command of 2/Lieut M THOMAS RIASC to Rifle Ranges at MONMOUTH and fired there. Weather cloudy and cold.

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