125th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, War Diary January 1940
1 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. 4 Officers and 100 Other Ranks attended Public Service of Thanksgiving at Bishopwearmouth Church.
The following men proceeded to YORK on a Northern Command Artillery Course :-
Number 901974 Bombardier Grierson N
Number 917882 Troop Sergeant Major Wylde R E
2 – 3 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
4 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Commanding Officer and Adjutant started on Cooks Tour.
Training continued under Battery arrangements.
5 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
The following men proceeded to YORK on the 3rd Command P.T. Course :-
Number 901491 Lance-Bombardier Old T
Number 900729 Bombardier Sidney W
6 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. 3rd Leave period terminated.
Training continued under Battery arrangements.
7 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Church Parades as usual.
Major W S Martin proceeded to LARKHILL on Special Staff Course.
L/Sgt Hiles proceeded on Fire Fighting Course at Central Fire Station ALDERSHOT.
8 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
9 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Number 918194 Gunner Pearson H discharged as being medically unfit for Military Service.
10 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
11 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Enemy plane sighted at 10:20 hours. Anti-aircraft firing.
Air Raid Warning “White” received 11:10 hours.
Gunner Winn N removed to Military Hospital, Catterick.
Training continued under Battery arrangements.
12 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Forced landing of British aircraft in field adjacent to Seaburn Camp at 15:45 hours.
Guard mounted on aircraft at 16:00 hours and personnel from aircraft taken to RAF Station USWORTH.
13 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Aircraft removed from field by RAF personnel.
14 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Commanding Officer and Adjutant return from Cooks Tour.
Church Parades as usual.
15 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
The following men proceeded to the 7th Command Course YORK :-
Number 910845 Bombardier Little T J
Number 4438377 WOIII Thompson R
Number 4444437 Sergeant Cockburn J S
Lectures by A.I.G. Captain Smith to Officers and NCOs.
Visit from Commander, Royal Artillery and Brigade Major.
16 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training under supervision of A.I.G. Captain Smith and Commander, Royal Artillery.
The following men posted to Royal Artillery Depot, WOOLWICH :-
Number 915167 Gunner Mustard K
Number 4448145 Gunner Weir F D
Number 1460372 Gunner Hardesty E
17 – 18 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
19 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Captain Brazier and 2/Lt M Goodyear attended Lectures on Pay and Allowances at NEWCASTLE.
20 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Northern Counties Amateur Boxing Championship held at Drill Hall.
21 January 1940 – Sunderland
Church Parades as usual.
22 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Sgt Smith C proceeded to Divisional Signal School, CATTERICK.
23 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Commanding Officer, Adjutant, Battery Commanders and Second in Command attended Conference at Commander, Royal Artillery’s office.
24 – 25 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
26 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Accident between War Department vehicle and vehicle owned by Bailey & Sons, SILKSWORTH.
27 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Lt & QM E.H. Creal placed under close arrest and charged verbally with embezzlement.
2/Lt S Ridley proceeded to WINTERBOURNE GUNNER Army Gas School.
Inspection by General Officer Commanding–in-Chief.
28 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Church Parades as usual.
Summary of Evidence commenced in relation to charge against Lieut E H Creal.
29 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Lecture by Commander, Royal Artillery to Officers at 17:30 hours.
Local Air raid Warning sounded at 10:20 hours followed by All Clear 10:40 hours. Distant gunfire heard.
Summary of evidence relating to charge against Lieut E H Creal continued.
30 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
Summary of Evidence relating to charge against Lieut E H Creal concluded.
31 January 1940 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training continued under Battery arrangements.
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