10th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, War Diary December 1942
For a more complete picture of activity this War Diary should be read in conjunction with the 70th Infantry Brigade War Diary for the same month.
1st December 1942
All ranks passed through the Mobile Gas Chamber which visited the Camp.
An All Ranks’ Dance was held at DALTON Drill Hall.
2nd December 1942
Four Platoons proceeded on a three days’ Street-Fighting Course in BIRMINGHAM.
The Battalion Soccer Team beat 178 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery three goals to NIL.
3rd December 1942
A Battalion Cross-Country Run was held.
4th December 1942
The C.O. visited the Street-Fighting School in BIRMINGHAM.
6th December 1942
Two Platoons returned from the Street-Fighting Course.
The Battalion Soccer team beat an Eleven from Vickers-Armstrong three goals to two at BARROW.
9th December 1942
The C.O. lectured to Officers and NCOs.
An E.N.S.A. Concert Party gave a performance in the Dining Hall.
12th December 1942
The C.O. lectured to Officers, Warrant Officers and Sergeants.
The Battalion Soccer team beat 1st Tyneside Scottish five goals to four.
A Cinema Show was held in the Dining Hall.
13th December 1942
Captain R.H. Blackett, 2/Lt I.H. Stock and Lt. R.H. Jerrome were all posted to the Battalion.
A and B Companies took part in a Home Guard Exercise at WALNEY ISLAND.
16th December 1942
Captain R.H. Blackett of D Company assumed temporary command of the Battalion while the C.O. was away on duty.
17th December 1942
The Brigade Cross-Country Competition was held, with the results as follows:-
1st – 1st Tyneside Scottish – 243 points.
2nd – 10th DLI – 261 points.
3rd – 11th DLI – 308 points.
4th – 187 Field Ambulance – 459 points.
5th – Brigade HQ – 601 points.
An All Ranks’ Dance was held in the DALTON Drill Hall.
19th December 1942
Weapon training demonstrations were given by the “Weapon Training Circus” in the Drill Hall at DALTON for Officers, Warrant Officers and NCOs.
The C.O. returned and resumed command of the Battalion.
The Battalion Soccer Team beat North Scale of the North Western League by five goals to one.
24th December 1942
An All Ranks’ Dance was held in the DALTON Drill Hall.
25th December 1942
The 70th Brigade Soccer Team beat Barrow F.A. by 6 goals to 3 at the Holker Road Ground, BARROW.
26th December 1942
The Battalion Team beat 1st Tyneside Scottish at Soccer by four goals to two in a game which was played in support of local Police Charities.
A joint Rugby Team from 10th and 11th DLI lost to an RAF Team eight points to six in a game played at BARROW.
27th December 1942
10th DLI beat 11th DLI at Soccer, four goals to three, in the final of the Brigade football competition.
28th December 1942
The Advance Party left by road for the new Brigade location.
31st December 1942
The Battalion prepared for the move to the new location.
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