11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary November 1942
1st November 1942 KINGTON.
Major C.D. Hamilton went to Divisional Street Fighting School as Commandant 1st November – 21st December.
Lieuts R. Notman and K.J. Sayce were both posted to No 4 Infantry Training Centre at BRANCEPETH.
2nd November 1942
The move to Winter Quarters at DALTON-IN-FURNESS took place. The Battalion moved by road on troop carrying transport, staging for the night at PRESTON.
3rd November 1942 DALTON-IN-FURNESS.
The move to Winter Quarters was completed.
4th November 1942
Lieuts G.B. Wood and R. Ellison were posted from No 4 Infantry Training Centre for duty with the Battalion.
4th – 7th November 1942
Settling in to the new Camp. The Camp is hutted and was erected as an evacuation area in the event of a “blitz” on BARROW-IN-FURNESS and was unoccupied prior to the Battalion’s arrival. Excellent cooking facilities but accommodation rather cramped.
6th November 1942
Lieut J.H.P. Hadden left the unit on a posting to Movement Control.
9th November 1942
Lieut-General Schreiber, C-in-C Western Command, visited the Camp.
Lieut G.B. Murray was posted from the Battalion to No 4 Infantry Training Centre.
10th November 1942
Lieut T.B. Walker was promoted Paid Acting Captain with effect from 8/9/1942.
11th November 1942
Major-General H.O. Curtis – G.o.C. 49 Division, visited the Camp.
12th November 1942
Lieut W.F. McMichael was posted to the Battalion for duty as Signals Officer, from No 4 Infantry Training Centre.
13th November 1942
Lieut Col Poett attended a demonstration of Crossing of Obstacles arranged by Eastern Command at ORFORD, Essex.
14th – 30th November 1942
A and B Companies went out on three-day Platoon Marches on various routes round WINDERMERE and CONISTON WATER.
C and D Companies carried out a week of night training – that is, doing all work and training during the hours of darkness – with Reveille at 19:00 hours and Lights Out at 07:30 hours daily.
21st November 1942
4459218 Cpl William Adey Percival of the Carrier Platoon was killed in an accident when the Carrier which he was driving overturned.
The Assistant Director of Medical Services from 49th Division inspected the Camp.
22nd November 1942
Major Murray Smith – Senior Chaplain to the Forces from 49th Division - spent the weekend with the Battalion and preached at Church Parade on Sunday 22nd November.
Two Composite Companies with Carriers and Mortars under the command of Major C.A. Smallwood took part in Exercise “ROADEX” with ULVERSTON Home Guard.
The Pioneer Platoon proceeded to STOURBRIDGE for a course of instruction with 756 Field Company Royal Engineers for the period 22nd November – 5th December.
23rd November 1942
A and B Companies held their night training week.
24th November 1942
The Assistant Director of Ordnance Services of 49th Division visited the Camp.
Lieut Col Poett wet on 7 days’ leave – Major R.B. Humphreys assumed command of the Battalion in his absence.
27th November 1942
C and D Companies carried out their Platoon Marches.
Both the Platoon Marches and the Night Weeks provided valuable training time.
28th November 1942
Major-General Campbell, Commanding the Lancashire and Border District, visited the Camp.
29th November 1942
The Mobile Cinema Unit gave a show in the Dining Hall, which was well attended.
30th November 1942
A Cloth Model Exercise at Brigade HQ was attended by Major R.B. Humphreys, Major C.A. Smallwood, Captain W.H. Waistell and Captain P.A. Johnson.
The Brigade 300 yard 12-target Range was constructed near BARROW-IN-FURNESS. Unfortunately it was found to be unsafe and also the targets were destroyed by local children. A new Range four miles North of ULVERSTON is now being constructed and is nearing completion.
Two 30 yard Ranges have been made near the Camp and the Commanding Officer has ordered that everyone will fire fifteen rounds per week.
Officers’ TEWTs and discussions on various subjects have been carried out during the month.
All Ranks take part in Cross Country runs of up to eight miles every Thursday afternoon on a competitive inter-Platoon basis.
Inter-Company exercises have been carried out on the scale of two per week.
A Weapon Training Cadre for junior NCO’s of two weeks’ duration was run during the month under Lieutenant R. Ellison.
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