29th Mule Company, War Diary May 1942
1 May 1942 NANTMOR VALLEY.
22:00 hours. Unit carried out a Battalion Scheme with the 10th Battalion The DLI. P.T.L.O. 70th Infantry Brigade visited the unit and had a conference with C.O.
2 May 1942
21:40 hours. Major H D Lewis RAVC D.A.D.V.& R.S. Southern and Western Commands visited the unit and inspected all animals. C.O. and Lieut H THOMAS RIASC attended a conference held by Officer Commanding 10th Battalion The DLI to discuss points re: Brigade Exercise. Lieut T W P HEXLEY RIASC from Reinforcement Unit, Indian Contingent, arrived to take part in Brigade Exercise as “UMPIRE”. Weather clear and bright all day.
3 May 1942
22:00 hours. Unit prepared to move on Brigade Exercise on the following day. Weather clear and bright all day.
4 May 1942
22:30 hours. Unit proceeded on Brigade Exercise for three days with respective Battalions. Weather clear and bright all day.
5 May 1942
22:00 hours. Unit on Brigade Exercise. Weather cloudy and dark, drizzling in the morning.
6 May 1942
21:30 hours. Unit returned to Camps from Brigade Exercise. Lieut R A DOUGLAS RAVC arrived from No.1 Reserve Veterinary Hospital DONCASTER on posting. Weather clear and bright all day.
7 May 1942
22:00 hours. 120 men of the unit attended a cinema show in NAAFI of 10th Battalion The DLI. Lieut W J R WATSON RAVC proceeded to No. 1 Reserve Veterinary Hospital DONCASTER on posting. Lieut T W P HEXLEY RIASC proceeded back to Reinforcement Unit, Indian Contingent. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
8 May 1942
21:30 hours. 150 men of the unit again attended a cinema show arranged by Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent. Senior Veterinary Officer, Indian Contingent inspected all animals of the unit.
C.O. attended a conference at Brigade HQ held by Commander, 70th Infantry Brigade.
Rissaldar Major and Honorary Lieutenant MOHD ASHRAF I.O.M., I.D.S.M. RIASC arrived from HQ Indian Contingent. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
9 May 1942
22:00 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather clear and bright all day.
10 May 1942
21:30 hours. A dissemination of information lecture was given by Officer Commanding the unit. Weather uncertain with heavy cold wind all day.
11 May 1942
22:00 hours. Rissaldar Major and Honorary Lieutenant MOHD ASHRAF I.O.M., I.D.S.M. RIASC left the Camp for HQ Indian Contingent.
160 men attended a concert show given by E.N.S.A. party in YMCA tent arranged by 70th Infantry Brigade. Weather cloudy dark and cold all day.
12 May 1942
23:00 hours. Senior Veterinary Officer Indian Contingent inspected all animals of the unit. Weather cloudy and cold all day.
13 May 1942
22:00 hours. D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands visited the unit and inspected all animals. 3 Chargers from 187 Field Ambulance and 9 Chargers from 10th Battalion The DLI were received. Weather cloudy in the morning but clear in the afternoon.
14 May 1942
23:00 hours. C.O. attended a conference at HQ Indian Contingent held by Commander, Indian Contingent. Weather clear and bright all day.
15 May 1942
21:30 hours. SHEIKH ABDUL HAMID accompanied by Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent visited the unit and talked to all V.C.Os. C.O. visited detachment 29 Mule Company RIASC. Weather uncertain and little rain in afternoon.
16 May 1942
Nothing special to report. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
17 May 1942
22:00 hours. Commander Indian Contingent visited the unit and talked to all V.C.Os. Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent gave a cinema show to all personnel of the unit. Weather cloudy and little rain in afternoon.
18 May 1942
21:30 hours. Nothing special to report. Weather cloudy and heavy rain all day.
19 May 1942
22:00 hours. C.O. visited the detachment 29 Mule Company RIASC. Weather cloudy and cold all day.
20 May 1942
21:30 hours. A Court of Enquiry held in Detachment 29 Mule Company RIASC to investigate the circumstances under which 172000 Driver MAQBOOL SHAH of this unit sustained a fracture. C.O. attended a conference at 10:00 hours held by O.C. Troops DOLFIOG (49/076680). Weather uncertain and little rain in afternoon.
21 May 1942
23:00 hours. D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands visited the unit and inspected all animals of Detachment 29 Mule Company RIASC. Weather cloudy and dark all day.
22 May 1942
22:00 hours. D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands visited the unit and inspected all animals of No. 2 Sub-Division and HQ. Weather cloudy and dark all day.
23 May 1942
21:30 hours. C.O. held Durbars and muster parades in both Detachments of the unit. Weather cloudy and raining at intervals.
24 May 1942
21:30 hours. Major J FINLAY M.B.E. RIASC Officer i/c Administration accompanied by Lieut T M P HEXLEY RIASC visited the unit and had a conference with C.O. A short lecture on “Current Affairs” was delivered by Lieut H THOMAS RIASC to all personnel. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
25 May 1942
21:30 hours. Rissaldar JAHAN DAD M.B.E. RIASC proceeded to Section Indian General Hospital, BRECON to visit Sir Sirdar IKBAL ALI SHAH there. Weather rough, heavy rain with wind in the morning.
26 May 1942
22:00 hours. Education Officer, Indian Contingent visited the unit and held 3rd Class English Examination for certain personnel of the unit. Unit establishment paid out. Weather uncertain, raining at intervals.
27 May 1942
21:30 hours. Education Officer, Indian Contingent returned to Reinforcement Unit, Indian Contingent. C.O. proceeded on leave. Lieut A F ESTLICK RIASC assumed temporary command of the unit. Weather uncertain, raining in afternoon.
28 May 1942
22:00 hours. Ordnance Officer, Indian Contingent visited the unit and discussed some points re: ordnance stores with temporary C.O. Rissaldar JAHAN DAD M.B.E. RIASC returned from Section Indian General Hospital, BRECON. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
29 May 1942
21:30 hours. Adjutant Indian Contingent arrived from HQ Indian Contingent and had a conference with temporary C.O.
25 Indian Other Ranks arrived as reinforcement from Reinforcement Unit, Indian Contingent. Senior Medical Officer, Indian Contingent visited the unit and outlined future procedure of evacuating casualties to Section Indian General Hospital. Weather uncertain, sun shining at intervals.
30 May 1942
21:30 hours. Adjutant Indian Contingent returned to HQ Indian Contingent. Weather uncertain sun shining at intervals.
31 May 1942
22:00 hours. Lieut H THOMAS RIASC gave a short lecture on “News of the World” to all personnel in YMCA tent. Weather uncertain sun shining at intervals.
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