70th Infantry Brigade War Diary March 1940.

70 Brigade War Diary March 1940

1st March 1940

The Officer Commanding 10th DLI announced, with regret, that Pte J.B. KELLY 4456781 one of the Despatch Riders in the 10th Battalion had been killed in a road accident while on duty. (The subsequent inquest determined that this was a single vehicle accident and that no-one else had been involved).

The General Officer Commanding (General Herbert) and Brigadier Kirkup wished to congratulate Major C.H.R. Gee on his attaining a “D” classification (presumably “distinction”) at the Army Gas School Course held at Winterbourne Gunner between 28th January and 10th February 1940.

3rd March 1940

All three Battalions of the Brigade were involved in a Durham County ARP exercise which took place over a wide area. Brigade HQs role lay in issuing order to the units of the Brigade in accordance with messages and reports received via a link to the Civil Police and ARP Authorities.

4th March 1940

A Brigade Course started on the maintenance of tracked vehicles, which included an Officer and six men from each of the Brigade’s three Battalions, together with an Officer and three men from the three Battalions of 69th Brigade – 5th East Yorks and 6th and 7th Green Howards.

Light Machine-Gun Anti-Aircraft teams from all three Battalions of the Brigade boarded Trawlers at SUNDERLAND. ( It is assumed – without any information to the contrary - that they were armed and equipped in the same way as those teams which had earlier volunteered to protect Merchant Vessels in North-East Ports). This was a new departure of historic importance in that this was the first known example of Light Infantrymen serving aboard Trawlers.

5th March 1940

A concentrated inspection took place of the 11th Battalion by the Brigadier. This was the first occasion that such an Inspection had been carried out as the Battalion was scattered across five different detachments averaging four miles apart since it had come into being.

Light Machine-Gun teams from both the 10th and 11th Battalions boarded Trawlers at NEWCASTLE for Anti-Aircraft duties.

7th March 1940

Colonel of the Durham Light Infantry – Brigadier General H.H.S. Morant D.S.O. inspected the 10th Battalion at Whitburn Colliery Welfare Ground. The Brigadier’s visit was regarded as particularly special as he had raised the 10th Battalion in 1914-1918 and his son is serving in the current Battalion.

All three Battalions of the Brigade provided Light Machine-Gun teams for Anti-Aircraft duties on Trawlers at NEWCASTLE.

8th March 1940

At 10:30 hours the Brigadier attended a Divisional Conference.

The Commanding Officers and Adjutants of all three Battalions attended a Conference at Brigade HQ regarding a new move.

12th – 16th March 1940

The January 1940 Militia intake fired at Whitburn Ranges – 100 men per Battalion. (It is assumed that this was the War Course with the Rifle – no mention was made of any particular weapons).

20th March 1940

Visit by General Sir William Bartholomew G.C.B., C.M.G.,D.S.O., A.D.C. to the units of the Brigade. At 10:40 to 11:00 hours he met 10th Battalion on a route march towards Sunderland. Arriving at Lambton Park at 11:20 to see 11th Battalion he observed the Signals Platoon at work, saw a demonstration of the Rifle Company in the attack and inspected the Headquarters Company at Lambton Stables.

Moving on to the Team Valley Trading Estate, he saw a demonstration by the Carrier Platoon of the 1st Tyneside Scottish and then took the salute at a march past of the whole Battalion. Captain Cyril Falls, The Times military correspondent was understood to be accompanying General Bartholomew.

24th March 1940

Administrative Order no 1 for the move overseas was received from 23rd Division HQ.

26th March 1940

A Pay lecture to Officers and men of all three Battalions was given by S/Sgt Hassard RAPC, representative of the Command Paymaster and Mr Eden, representative of the Financial Adviser.

27th March 1940

Administrative Order no 2 for the move overseas received from 23rd Division HQ.

28th March 1940

Administrative Order no 3 for the move overseas received from 23rd Division HQ.

29th March 1940

Administrative Order no 4 for the move overseas received from 23rd Division HQ.

The new 23rd Divisional Provost Company of one Officer and 43 NCOs was accommodated at The Hermitage, CHESTER-LE-STREET and came under the administration of 70th Brigade HQ.

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