10th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry, War Diary March 1940

1st March 1940

2/Lt R.J. Seymour assumed the duties of Messing Officer.

4456781 Pte. J.B. Kelly died at Durham as the result of a traffic accident. Pte Kelly was a motor-cycle despatch rider.

61 Other Ranks were posted to the Battalion from No.4 Infantry Training Centre, Brancepeth Castle.

2nd March 1940

“A” Company assumed the duties of Civil Defence Company.

5th March 1940

1 Warrant Officer (CSM Sillett, formerly 6th Bn DLI during World War One) and 9 Other Ranks posted to Royal Army Medical Corps Depot, Crookham.

7th March 1940

Brigadier General H.H.S. Morant, Colonel of the Durham Light Infantry, inspected the Battalion.

6 Other Ranks posted to the Battalion from 3rd Infantry Holding Bn at West Hartlepool.

9th March 1940

“B” Company assumed the duties of Civil Defence Company.

13th March 1940

Lt G.L. Robson gave a lecture to the 23rd Division’s Divisional School on his recent attachment to the British Expeditionary Force in France.

14th – 16th March 1940

Inoculation of the Battalion for T.A.B. commenced.

17th March 1940

“HQ” Company and the Militia Company assumed the duties of Civil Defence Company.

20th March 1940

During a Route March carried out by the Battalion, they marched past the G.o.C. in C. Northern Command.

21st March 1940

Two Platoons of “HQ” Company and One Platoon of “C” Company assumed the duties of Civil Defence Company.

22nd March 1940.

Good Friday. The Battalion paraded for Divine Services in Westoe Schools.

Captain C.R.M. Hutchinson relinquished the position of Adjutant.

23rd March 1940

Captain T.G. Wilkinson assumed the post of Adjutant, having previously been attached to Brigade Headquarters.

A Warning Order was received for embarkation.

24th March 1940

The Administrative Instructions covering the arrangements for embarkation were received under reference 70th IB/SM/500 with the Code Name “Quack-Quack”.

25th March 1940.

One Platoon each of “A”, “B” and “D” Companies assumed the duties of Civil Defence Company. Captain J.W. Kipling was appointed Officer in Charge of Civil Defence Duties.

26th March 1940.

2/Lts C.M. King and J.L.S. Morant (son of the Colonel of the Regiment) were posted to the Battalion from the Durham Light Infantry Brancepeth Infantry Training Centre.

Royal Army Ordnance Corps personnel – 7603305 Pte Dixon G and 7625327 Pte Ashworth M were posted to the Battalion (presumably as “attached” personnel).

27th March 1940

Captains Morrison and Kipling attended a District Court Martial at Gateshead (probably as observers for instruction).

28th March 1940

Lt F. Elliot of the Royal Army Medical Corps was posted to the Battalion as Medical Officer in the absence, on leave, of Lt Iliffe.

30th March 1940

A Court of Enquiry was held to conduct an investigation into the death of 4456781 Pte J.B. Kelly under the presidency of Captain C.M.L McCoy and found no one to blame for the single-vehicle motor-cycle accident in which he died.

31st March 1940

Two Platoons of “HQ” Company and one Platoon of “C” Company carried out Civil Defence duties until 6th April 1940.

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