29th Mule Company, War Diary February 1942
1 February 1942 BRYNGWYN.
21:30 hours. Major H D LEWIS RAVC D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands visited the unit and inspected all animals. Lieut A F ESTLICK RIASC proceeded to 42 Mule Company to attend a Court Martial there. Weather foggy and cold, heavy snow in the morning.
2 February 1942
21:00 hours. Captain G R CHARLTON RIASC Officer Commanding 47 Supply Depot visited the unit and inspected Q.M. Stores. Weather cloudy and cold.
3 February 1942
21:30 hours. Officer Commanding proceeded to BRECON to visit the patients of this unit in Section Indian General Hospital. Weather cold and uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
4 February 1942
21:30 hours. Officer Commanding proceeded to 32 Mule Company RIASC and discussed some points re: Pack Transport training with Officer Commanding 32 Mule Company RIASC there. Medical stores were drawn from Military Hospital, WORCESTER. Weather cloudy and cold.
5 February 1942
21:00 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather cloudy and very cold.
6 February 1942
21:00 hours. Two Training Films were shown by Educational Instructor from HQ Indian Contingent. Intelligence Officer Indian Contingent and Rissaldar Major MOHD ASHRAF I.O.M., I.D.S.M. RIASC visited the unit and went round the lines. Weather cold and uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
7 February 1942
21:00 hours. “B” Troop of this unit proceeded to Rifle Ranges at MONMOUTH and fired there. A cinema show was given by Welfare Officer Indian Contingent. Weather frosty and cold.
8 February 1942
21:00 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather clear and bright.
9 February 1942
21:00 hours. Officer Commanding held a conference in his office to discuss certain points re: Mobilisation Scheme. Weather cold and uncertain sun shining at intervals.
10 February 1942
21:00 hours. Adjutant, Indian Contingent accompanied by Lieut T M P HEXLEY RIASC and Rissaldar Major inspected the unit and went round the lines. Weather cold and uncertain sun shining at intervals.
11 February 1942
21:30 hours. Major H D LEWIS RAVC D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands visited the unit and inspected all animals. Weather uncertain sun shining at intervals.
12 February 1942
21:30 hours. Unit Durbar held in YMCA Hall at 17:00 hours. Major R B Le-CORNU M.C. RIASC gave a short lecture on “Current Affairs”. Weather uncertain and cold.
13 February 1942
21:30 hours. Major J PARSONS M.B.E., I.M.S. Senior Medical Officer, Indian Contingent, visited the unit and inspected all Camp sites. Weather uncertain – sun shining at intervals.
14 February 1942
21:00 hours. “C” Troop of this unit proceeded to Rifle Ranges at MONMOUTH and fired there. Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent arranged a cinema show in the evening in YMCA Hall. Weather clear and bright all day but cold.
15 February 1942
21:00 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather clear and bright all day but cold.
16 February 1942
21:30 hours. Medical inspection of all personnel was carried by Medical Officer in charge of this unit. Weather uncertain and cold, sun shining at intervals.
17 February 1942
21:30 hours. Quartermaster Daffadar and one Indian Other Rank proceeded to Reinforcement Unit, Indian Contingent to attend a demonstration there. Weather cloudy and cold.
18 February 1942
21:30 hours. Lieut Col A A PRYER O.B.E., RAVC A.D.V & R Services, War Office, accompanied by D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands and Senior Veterinary Officer, Indian Contingent visited this unit and inspected all animals. Weather cloudy and cold all day.
19 February 1942
21:30 hours. A Practice Mobilisation Parade was held and route march carried out. Weather uncertain and severe cold, sun shining at intervals. A short lecture was given by Lieut A F ESTLICK RIASC on “World News”.
20 February 1942
21:30 hours. Operation Order No. PM/S dated 20 February 1942 issued and copy as attached as Appendix “A” (this Appendix does not appear to have survived in the War Diary file).
Mobilisation Parade was held and route march was carried out. Commander Indian Contingent accompanied by Ordnance Officer Indian Contingent inspected the unit on parade. Welfare Officer Indian Contingent gave a cinema show in YMCA Hall. Weather frosty and cloudy.
21 February 1942
21:30 hours. “D” Troop of this unit proceeded to Rifle Range at MONMOUTH and fired there. Weather frosty and cloudy all day.
22 February 1942
21:30 hours. Ten men were supplied for fatigues at 47 S.D.S. Weather cold and uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
23 February 1942
21:00 hours. Captain R H M BICKHAM R.A. Agricultural Officer Central Midland District visited the unit. Two Training Films were shown to the personnel by a British Other Rank from HQ Indian Contingent. A Course to give instructions in Training on the Thompson Sub-Machine Gun commenced and all NCOs of the unit attended. Weather cold and cloudy all day.
24 February 1942
21:30 hours. Colonel C B FORDHAM C.B. Central Midland District visited the unit and went round the Camp. HQ Indian Contingent visited the unit and tested men for 3rd Class English Certificate. Weather cold and cloudy.
25 February 1942
21:30 Hours. Company carried out a Muster Parade and route march. A short lecture was delivered by Lt H THOMAS RIASC on “News of the World”. Weather uncertain and cold , sun shining at intervals.
26 February 1942
21:00 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather cold and uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
27 February 1942
21:30 hours. Unit establishment was paid out. Major R B Le-CORNU M.C. RIASC proceeded on 7 days’ leave. Weather clear and bright but severe cold.
28 February 1942
21:30 hours. Major C U K PORTER RAVC Senior Veterinary Officer Indian Contingent visited the unit and inspected the animals. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
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