11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry War Diary October 1939

1st to 7th October 1939

Minor training and Passive Air Defence work carried on throughout the Battalion.

7th October 1939

Rev. E.D. Cave M.A. C.F. reported for duty as C of E Chaplain to 70th Infantry Brigade and was attached to this unit.

7th to 12th October 1939

Minor training and Passive Air Defence work carried on throughout the Battalion.

13th October 1939

Revd. T. O’Neill Elliott C.F. reported for duty as RC Chaplain to the 70th Infantry Brigade and was attached to this unit.

13th to 19th October 1939

Minor training and Passive Air Defence work carried on throughout the Battalion.

19th October 1939

At 13:00 hours this Battalion relieved the 8th Bn The Durham Light Infantry in Civil Defence duties as Area Reserve and remained in present location until the move of 8th Battalion DLI.

Headquarters Company, under the command of Capt J.R.M. Martin took over Billets at Lambton Castle Stables, Chester-le-Street.

19th to 20th October 1939

Militia Intake of 98 men received from Reception Centre B, 23rd(N) Division, Darlington and billeted in the Empire Ballroom, Chester-le-Street.

22nd October 1939

Drill Halls at Chester-le-Street, Birtley, Stanley and Houghton-le-Spring taken over from 8th Battalion and Billets at Greyhound Stadiums, Stanley and Houghton-le-Spring.

23rd October 1939

Headquarters Company left Lambton Castle Stables and moved to Drill Hall, Durham.

26th October 1939

Guard Duties at Dunston Power Station assumed from 12th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry as from 17:30 hours. A and B Companies detailed for this duty alternating nightly from 17:30 hours to 07:00 hours.

29th October 1939

Stand-by Orders under Civil Defence Scheme received by telephone at 05:25 hours from 70th Infantry Brigade. Confirmed at 11:08 hours that Battalion will be under two hours notice from 70th Infantry Brigade.

31st October 1939

Move by train at 20:50 hours of reinforcements for 8th Battalion DLI. Draft of 143 (? figure not entirely clear) Other Ranks accompanied by 2/Lt K.C. Johnstone as Conducting Officer and three conducting Sergeants.

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