Divisional Commander Royal Artillery 23rd (Northumbrian) Division.

War Diary September 1939

This consists of a single page, dated September 1st 1939, written from Newcastle and was prepared in manuscript by the Commander Royal Artillery personally.

124 Field Regiment Royal Artillery located in Bath Lane Schools and subsequently Headquarters and 288 Battery moved to Cowgate Schools, an excellent billet.

125 Field Regiment Royal Artillery were badly accommodated in the Drill Hall at Sunderland and, after difficulties, were moved to the Drill Hall, Dykelands Road and to Municipal Camp adjoining where they were very comfortably housed.

On 1st September Commander Royal Artillery reported to 50th Division Headquarters Royal Artillery to take over and form the duplicate Headquarters. He found that there was nothing to take over and nowhere to live. No arrangements whatsoever had been made and by personal "scrounging" he started Headquarters with one room in Fenham Barracks, one Officer - 2nd Lieutenant WILLIS - 124 Field Regiment, and one clerk. The situation at Headquarters was chaotic. There were no books, no stationery, no lights and no furniture. Nevertheless the Army Machine from above came into action and there was a flood of paper bullets.

War Diary November 1939.

4th November 1939.

The Commander Royal Artillery met the Brigade Major of 70 Brigade and discussed the part that the Artillery Regiments might play in the 23rd Division Civil Defence Scheme - so far they have received no orders.