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

2nd January 1940

At Chester-le-Street.

Captain F. Taylor (R.A.R.O.) posted to the Battalion and joined for duty on 8th December 1939. He acted as second-in-command for the period from 10th December until 1st January and then took over as Company Commander of HQ Company from 1st January 1940.

Major C.H.R. Gee M.C. was posted to the Battalion and joined for duty on 1st January, taking over as second-in-command from 2nd January 1940.

13th January 1940

Eight Other Ranks were posted from the 8th Battalion and taken on strength from 10th January 1940.

15th January 1940

Captain F. Taylor was promoted Paid Acting Major with effect from 10th December 1939.

16th January 1940

2/Lt W.B. Kirkup was posted to the Battalion and taken on strength on 11th January. He was posted to 70th Brigade HQ as Motor Transport Officer on 15th January.

20th January 1940

A series of postings from 8th Battalion took place as follows (it is possible that these men were “immatures” and were too young to go overseas with 8th Battalion to join the B.E.F. at this stage):-

15 Other Ranks taken on strength on 7th January. 10 Other Ranks taken on strength on 18th January. 14 Other Ranks taken on strength on 19th January.

99 men from the Intake of Militia were posted to the Battalion and taken on strength on 17th January 1940.

23rd January 1940

A Company moved from Lambton Park Stables to Chester Road Schools, Sunderland, for duty under the Civil Defence Scheme.

24th January 1940

One Other Rank was posted from the 8th Battalion and taken on strength on 23rd January.

27th January 1940

One Warrant Officer and 7 Other Ranks were posted from the 8th Battalion and taken on strength on 24th January.

28th January 1940

Eighteen Other Ranks (immatures) were posted to the 58th Searchlight Regiment, Peterborough. (Several men, according to the Enlistment Books, were similarly posted to this Regiment at this time but it is not possible to identify from which DLI Battalion they were posted).

29th January 1940

Lt (QM) W.D. Collie was appointed Salvage Officer.

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