70th Infantry Brigade War Diary September 1939

1st September 1939

Embodiment of the Territorial Army was ordered.

70th Brigade HQ was established at Mains House (junction of West Lane and Front Street) Chester-le-Street. The initial Brigade officers were:-

Brigade Commander - Brigadier Philip Kirkup DSO OBE MC TD (formerly Commander of 8th DLI in World War One).

Brigade Major - Capt Fillingham.

Staff Captain - Lieut Trail.

Intelligence Officer - 2/Lieut Catto.

HQ of the 41st (Durham) National Defence Corps was also set up initially at Mains House - Lt Col Stafford commanding and Maj. Boys-Stones as Adjutant.

10th Battalion had its HQ at Bishop Auckland.

11th Battalion had its HQ at Durham, with Companies at Birtley, Chester-le-Street, Stanley and Houghton-le-Spring.

12th Battalion had its HQ at Gateshead, with detachments at Blaydon and Chopwell.