178th Field Regiment War Diary - May 1942.
1 May 1942 CRESSELLY.
Having finished Practice Camp at Sennybridge the Regiment marched back to permanent location.
2 May 1942
The Commanding Officer, Lt Col. L Rushworth-Ward M.C. RA proceeded on leave.
Major R A Collins RA took over command of the Regiment.
2/Lt J D Blake RA joined the Regiment and was posted to 316 Field Battery RA.
2/Lt H W Douglas RA joined the Regiment and was posted to 122 Field Battery from 121 OCTU.
12 May 1942
The Commanding Officer, Lt Col L Rushworth-Ward M.C. RA returned from leave and reassumed command of the Regiment.
14 May 1942
The Advance Party for Practice Camp at Sennybridge proceeded to arrange for reception of the Regiment at Builth Wells. Officer in command Lt (QM) B G Marsh RA. See below for Appendix attached to the War Diary.
15 May 1942
The Regiment came under command 49 Division for all purposes.
The Regiment moved to Builth Wells for Practice at Sennybridge.
18 May 1942
The Regiment returned from Practice Camp to permanent location.
20 May 1942
A Draft of 32 men was posted for service overseas.
22 May 1942
Commanding Officer attended G.O.C.’s training conference at HQ 49 Division.
24 May 1942
Lts F H W Novis and R Birkett RA both of 516 Field Battery RA, proceeded on 14 days’ embarkation leave prior to reporting to 3rd Reserve Medium Regiment RA for service overseas.
Major D F Wells RA was posted to 129th Field Regiment RA, from command of 516 Field Battery RA.
Captain H A A Baird RA was posted from 366 Field Battery RA to take over command of 516 Field Battery RA.##28 May 1942
10:30 hours. The Regiment was visited by Brigadier P Kirkup DSO, OBE, MC, TD Commander 70th Infantry Brigade.
17:15 hours. The Regiment was visited by Major General H O Curtis DSO, MC Commander 49 Division.
30 May 1942
The Commanding Officer, Lt Col L Rushworth-Ward M.C. RA proceeded to Trawsfynydd practice camp to arrange for practice shoot by 366 Field Battery RA and 516 Field Battery RA. Then Advance Party of the Regiment, under Captain W H Jaine RA, proceeded to Harpton Court, New Radnor, Radnorshire, to prepare for the reception of the Regiment at this new permanent location. See below for Appendix attached to the War Diary.
31 May 1942
366 Field Battery RA left Cresselly for Trawsfynydd Practice Camp.
Appendices attached to the May 1942 War Diary.
Operation Order No. 9 dated 12. 5.42
The document covered the arrangements for the move to the Royal Artillery Practice Camp, Pendre Camp, Builth Wells, Brecon – with the intention of arriving at Builth Wells on 14.5.42
The Quartermaster was in command of the Advance Party, and the document spelled out the men and vehicles to be included in that group. Rations were to be taken for the whole period of the Camp.
Within the Main Body, as well as Rations, each Battery was to take a supply of ammunition – to be drawn from operational stocks and replaced after the practice.
RHQ provided virtually the whole of the Rear Party at Cresselly but 366 Field Battery would ensure a supply of cooks to cater for RHQ were left at the Camp.
Operation Order No. 11 dated 29.5.42
This document covered the arrangements for the move of the Advance Party to HARPTON COURT. The Advance Party under Captain Jaine was to move there on 30.5.42 using 4 3-tonners – passing the start point at 09:00 hours. The route was described and cooking and rations covered. Personnel were to take all their personal kit and armed with one rifle per three men and an anti-aircraft Light Machine Gun per Battery.
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