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

1st September 1939

The 11th Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry separated from the original unit, the 8th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry, from September 1st 1939. Mobilisation having taken place on that date at 14:30 hours.

Lieutenant Colonel John Bramwell T.D. assumed command of the Battalion.

The following Officers assumed duty with the Battalion:-

Major D.A. Group (previously called up to a Staff Appointment with 50th Division HQ and remains attached thereto).

Lt. C.G. Winter (Adjutant)

Lt. W.D. Collie (Quartermaster)

Capt. W. Lyle Brown RAMC (Medical Officer)

Lt F.R.M. Martin, 2/Lt C.D. Hamilton, 2/Lt W.A. Husband, 2/Lt E.S. Newport (HQ Company)

2/Lt J. Welford, 2/Lt P.A. Johnson, 2/Lt K.C. Johnstone, 2/Lt J. Brewis (A Company)

2/Lt H. Waggott, 2/Lt J.H. Rowell, 2/Lt G.E. Wood, 2/Lt A.C. Young (B Company)

2/Lt D. Blackett, 2/Lt J.B. Nicholson, 2/Lt J.R. Ennis, 2/Lt J.A. Rodger, (C Company)

2/Lt C.A. Smallwood, 2/Lt R.A. Westray, 2/Lt J. Cook, 2/Lt E.W. Harrison (D Company)

Lt J. H. Trail (attached to 70th Brigade HQ)

4338877 CSM Dunn H.T. of 2nd Bn East Yorkshire Regiment assumed duty as Regimental Sergeant Major (temporary).

2nd September 1939

The first Battalion Orders were issued.

6th September 1939

The Battalion Headquarters moved to The Hawthorns, Picktree Lane, Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

7th September 1939

Headquarters Company took over the Empire Ballroom, Chester-le-Street as Billets.

11th September 1939

At 14:30 hours the following personnel of the Battalion proceeded to Brancepeth to join the Infantry Training Centre:-

2/Lt A.C. Young (B Company)

CSM Lipin R.L., L/Cpl Skeock, Pte Anderson (A Company)

Acting L/S Bills, Cpl Moody (B Company)

L/Cpl Grix, Cpl Abbott, Pte Gill (C Company)

Acting L/Sgt Fisher, L/Cpl Dalkin (D Company)

Cpl Wright, L/Sgt Dodds, L/Cpl Hawkins, Pte Strother (HQ Company).

12th to 30th September 1939

Passive Air Defence work was carried out for the parent unit (i.e.8th Bn The Durham Light Infantry) and training started within the Battalion at Durham, Chester-le-Street, Houghton-le-Spring, Birtley and Stanley Drill Halls.

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