10th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, War Diary July 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.

3rd – 4th July 1942

An exercise took place with 147th Brigade in the ELAN VALLEY area.

6th July 1942

Major R.W. Wilkinson succeeded Captain R. Gill as President of the Regimental Institutes.

Companies practised river crossing on the River WYE at OLD WHITNEY.

8th – 9th July 1942

A Brigade exercise of the unit in the attack took place in the RADNOR area.

10th July 1942

The Battalion practised river crossing at OLD WHITNEY.

15th – 17th July 1942

A Brigade Exercise took place in the NEW RADNOR district.

19th July 1942

Col. E.V. Lang arrived to assume command of the Battalion.

20th – 22nd July 1942

A Divisional Exercise took the Battalion to MACHYNLLETH from where the “enemy“ were driven Eastwards across the mountains. The scheme ended in a battle in the streets of CLUN. The enemy were played by 1st Tyneside Scottish.

23rd July 1942

By order of the C.O. today was observed as a normal Saturday and during the morning administration took place, particular attention being paid to transport, and wireless sets, in preparation for the next Divisional scheme.

24th July 1942

Another rest day – observed as a normal Sunday – in preparation for tomorrow’s scheme.

A normal training conference took place.

Brigadier Philip Kirkup D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C., T.D. Commander of 70th Infantry Brigade Group, visited the Battalion to pass on his good wishes as he departed on the assumption of a new Command, having held his present appointment for three years.

25th – 27th July 1942

A Divisional Exercise took place in the CARMARTHEN area, the main object being to practise the crossing of a river obstacle. On the 26th two of our Companies swam across with their equipment wrapped in gas capes. At night, the 1st Tyneside Scottish and 11th DLI were rowed across in Assault Boats. The rest of the 10th Battalion crossed using a pontoon bridge constructed by the Royal Engineers. The enemy on this exercise was a Brigade of Royal Marines who were well versed in guerrilla tactics.

29th July 1942

In his farewell message to the units of the Brigade Group, Brigadier Kirkup, who was being succeeded by Brigadier P.P. King of the Gloucestershire Regiment, paid tribute to the Brigade which he had commanded since the outbreak of the War….

”In operations in France, on service in Iceland, and in this country, you have met calls in a manner which proved your determination to become worthy of the tasks entrusted to you”.

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