125th Field Regiment War Diary, September 1939
1 September 1939 – Whitby
18:00 hours. Troops pay issued.
Notice to Embody received 17:30 hours. Unit to leave Camp and proceed to Peace Station at SUNDERLAND.
20:00 hours. Main Body entrained at WHITBY.
23:30 hours. Main Body arrived at Drill Hall, Livingstone Road, SUNDERLAND.
2 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Medical inspection of troops commenced by Lieutenant Colonel L. M. Weeks RAMC.
09:00 hours. Guard mounted at main gate of Drill Hall.
Officers and men of Unit continued training under Battery arrangements.
Officers and men, other than personnel necessary to continue work and provide guard and picquet, slept in own homes.
3 September 1939 – Sunderland
09:00 hours. Medical inspection continued by Lt Col Weeks, assisted by Captain Kelly RAMC. Standard of physical fitness among men was exceptionally good.
12:00 hours. Training continued in Drill Hall and Rectory Park schools.
Stores arrived from WHITBY.
Seven drivers to 36th Signal Training Regiment, Royal Artillery. See Appendix B referred to below.
4 September 1939 – Sunderland
Lieutenant Quartermaster E.H. Creal returned from WHITBY, leaving rear-party in charge of 2/Lt J.W. Wilson and took charge of QM work at this HQ.
Medical inspection continued. Strength 540.
5 September 1939 – Sunderland
Medical inspection completed by Lt Col L.M. Weeks. Consolidated return showing results as in Appendix C. Details will be found below.
Section training at Drill Hall, Livingstone Road and at the Rectory Park schools continued under Battery arrangements.
6 September 1939 – Sunderland
Training continued at Drill Hall, and in neighbouring area under Battery arrangements, Specialists receiving tuition under their respective Instructors.
7 September 1939 – Sunderland
2/Lieutenant M. Goodyear posted to 123rd Officer Cadet Training Regiment, Royal Artillery, Catterick.
Arrangements commenced to transfer Headquarters to Dykelands Road Drill Hall, Seaburn, SUNDERLAND, and to occupy eventually as billets the Seaburn School Camp, and Seaburn Concert Hall.
Section training under Batteries continued.
8 September 1939 – Sunderland
Arrangements for move continued, Lt Col J. Dean and Major Milburn dealing with regimental requirements of the Unit; Lt. Col. Weeks handling Passive Air Defence Scheme.
Digging of trenches commenced in Seaburn Camp grounds by Section of 305 Field Company, Royal Engineers, trench digging parties being detailed from this Unit.
9 September 1939 – Sunderland
12:00 hours. Passive Air Defence arrangements continued, and filling of sandbags for defence of key positions at Seaburn Camp and Dykelands Road Drill Hall, commenced.
Fatigue parties detailed from this Unit as before, and hired transport placed at disposal of working parties under supervision of 2/Lt M.N. Jones and 2/Lt D. Laws of this Unit.
With the exception of three 30cwt lorries and three 3-tonners, hired transport returned to Artillery Transport Co. and Ellis (Harrogate) Ltd.
10 September 1939 – Sunderland
12:00 hours. Section training continued during the morning until 12:30 hours. Digging and sand-bagging suspended during the day.
Comb-out of civilian key men underway in accordance with Ministry of Labour requirements.
11 September 1939 – Sunderland
12:00 hours. Regimental Headquarters and Battery Offices moved to Dykelands Road Drill Hall.
17:00 hours. Move Completed, and RHQ operating at new address.
Training continued as far as possible during the day.
Trench digging under supervision of previous Officers progressing.
Strength of Unit – 540.
12 September 1939 – Sunderland
Commander, Royal Artillery 23rd Division visited the unit accompanied by Staff Captain.
Training at Seaburn Camp and Dykelands Road continued.
13 September 1939 – Sunderland
Eight 4.5” Howitzers arrived for training purposes.
Gun drill commenced under Battery arrangements.
Necessary arrangements for billeting and messing of the Regiment commenced.
Specialists’ and Officers’ training continued.
14 September 1939 – Sunderland
2/Lieutenant D. Barbour sent on First War Course, Staff College, Junior Wing, Camberley.
Commander, Royal Artillery 23rd Division visited the Unit, accompanied by Staff Captain.
15 September 1939 – Sunderland
Billeting and messing fully in operation at Dykelands Road, Seaburn Camp and Seaburn Concert Hall.
General Herbert, G.O.C. 50th Division inspected this Unit, commencing 15:00 hours.
16 September 1939 – Sunderland
Normal routine training continued until 12:30 hours.
Inter-troop games organised and played during afternoon.
17 September 1939 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Normal routine of inspections within Batteries and Section training until 12:30 hours.
18 September 1939 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training in Seaburn Camp area continued, use being made of neighbouring country to train Specialists. Specialist Classes under respective Instructors.
19 September 1939 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Section training under battery arrangements progressed.
23:30 hours. Battery Sergeant Major Stenhouse A. run down by omnibus on main road and died of injuries.
Steel helmets issued to all ranks.
20 September 1939 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Section training terminated at 12:30 hours, followed by inter-Troop football in the afternoon.
Commander, Royal Artillery 23rd Division visited the Unit during forenoon.
21 September 1939 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training under Battery arrangements continued throughout the day.
Inquest held on the death of B.S.M. Stenhouse A.
22 September 1939 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Section training within Batteries.
B.S.M. Stenhouse interred at 14:30 hours with military honours.
23 September 1939 – Sunderland
18:00 hours. Training again took place until 12:30 hours, troops given opportunity of inter-troop football during the afternoon.
24 September 1939 – Sunderland
Church Parade 10:00 hours. Church of England Service being conducted by the Vicar of St Andrew’s Church, ROKER. Bombardier Cameron J T R 914924 having been removed to Civil Hospital, was later moved to Civil Isolation Hospital believed to be suffering from Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis. The Medical Officer, Lt Col L M Weeks RAMC took necessary steps re isolation of sleeping hut concerned, and requisite Returns were sent from this Headquarters.
25 September 1939 – Sunderland
Section training continued under Battery arrangements.
Bombardier Cameron died in Civil Isolation Hospital, it being established that death was due to Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis.
2/Lt G.C. Moor proceeded to Regimental Paymaster, Sidcup, for instruction.
26 September 1939 – Sunderland
Medical Officer of Health, Sunderland visited Seaburn Camp and with Lt Col Weeks inspected sleeping quarters of Bombardier Cameron.
Section training continued throughout the day.
27 September 1939 – Sunderland
2/Lieut W. Phorson, 294 Field Battery, Royal Artillery send to 23rd Division Royal Artillery HQ and attached to 124th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery for billeting and rations.
Section training under Battery arrangements during the morning until 12:30 hours.
Inter-troop games held during the afternoon.
28 September 1939 – Sunderland
Section training under Battery arrangements.
Specialists under respective Instructors.
Passive Air Defence classes under 2/Lt S. Ridley.
First Aid Classes – Lecturer, Lt Col Weeks, RAMC.
29 September 1939 – Sunderland
Training continued throughout the day.
Specialists and young Officers on Observation Post work in neighbouring country.
30 September 1939 – Sunderland
2/Lt G.C. Moor returned from SIDCUP after instruction.
Section training under Battery arrangements.
Preliminary survey of billeting arrangements made for reception of 115 men extra to present personnel on 20th October 1939.
Inter-troop games commencing 14:30 hours.
Appendices attached to September 1939 War Diary of 125th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.
Appendix A – Key personnel – see August 1939 War Diary.
Appendix B – Details of Drivers posted to 36th Signal Training Regiment, Colchester.
All the men concerned were from 294 Field Battery and are listed below :-
922197 Gunner Chalk M.
922292 Gunner Oxlade N.
901475 Gunner White A.M.
914826 Gunner Smith D.C.
914829 Gunner Robson H.S.
902508 Gunner Binyon G.
917433 Gunner Duff V.I.
Appendix C – Results of Medical Inspection.
Of the total Regimental strength of 540 Other Ranks :-
Passed fit for service – home or abroad – 500
Passed fit – Home Service only - 21
Classes “D” – not fit for Service - 19
Appendix D – Billeting Return.
The Regiment consisted of 294th and 295th Field Batteries and they were dispersed as follows:-
294th Field Battery –
Seaburn Camp – 13 Other Ranks
Seaburn Hall – 2 Officers, 161 Other Ranks.
Dykelands Hall – 14 Officers, 108 Other Ranks.
295th Field Battery :-
Seaburn Camp – 9 Officers, 226 Other Ranks.
Dykelands Hall – 2 Other Ranks.
In total the strength was deployed as follows :-
Absent on leave, “D” Men, Posted or Attached – 2 Officers, 30 Other Ranks.
Seaburn Camp – 9 Officers, 239 Other Ranks.
Seaburn Hall – 2 Officers, 161 Other Ranks.
Dykelands Drill Hall – 14 Officers, 110 Other Ranks.
Total – 27 Officers, 540 Other Ranks.
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