11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary April 1940

1st April 1940

Major F. Taylor attended a course at the Small Arms School from 1st to 6th April.

5th April 1940

2/Lts Waggott, Johnson and Rowell joined Course No. 4 at 169th O.C.T.U.

10th April 1940

An Advance Party, consisting of Major Gee and seven Other Ranks left to proceed overseas.

12th April 1940

The Battalion paraded at Chester Road Schools, Sunderland, and were presented with three silver bugles from Officers of the 11th DLI, Great War, 1914-1918, after an inspection by Lt. Col. H.H.S. Morant D.S.O. Colonel of the Regiment.

15th April 1940

A road transport party of 2/Lt Wood and 16 Other Ranks left to proceed overseas.

24th April 1940

At Chester-le-Street, Sunderland, Durham and Birtley.

A, B, C and D Companies entrained for the Port of Embarkation, followed later in the afternoon by Battalion HQ and the HQ Company.

25th April 1940

At Southampton

The Battalion embarked at 17:00 hours.

26th April 1940

At Le HAVRE

The Battalion disembarked at 07:30 hours and proceeded to billets at Gruchet le Valasse.

28th April 1940

At Gruchet le Valasse.

Captain A.R.W. Shipley took over from Captain Winter as Adjutant, Captain Winter taking over command of HQ Company. 2/Lt Westray was appointed Intelligence Officer. 2/Lt W.A. Husband was appointed Assistant Adjutant and Billeting Officer.

29th April 1940

At BOLBEC.

At 18:30 hours Battalion HQ, HQ Company and B Company entrained for FREVENT.

At 22:45 hours A. C and D Companies also entrained for FREVENT.

30th April 1940

At FREVENT.

The first train arrived at 07:30 hours and the men marched to NUNCQ, followed by the rest of the Battalion when their train arrived at 16:20 hours.

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