143rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. War Diary January 1941

1 January 1941 Alafoss, ICELAND.

Nothing of importance. Weather stormy, milder.

2 January 1941

Officer Commanding and RSM B? returned by road from Borganes with Commandant, Royal Artillery.

Cpl Bailey, L/Cpl Rowley and Signalman Smith returned late from pass. Put under open arrest. Weather wet and mild.

3 January 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather mild. C.O. with C.R.A. regarding new War Establishments for Signal Section.

4 January 1941

Cpl Bailey, L/Cpl Rowley and Signalman Smith before C.O. Severely admonished (Bailey) and admonished (Rowley and Smith). Rowley loses stripe.

Captain Watson, 2nd Lieutenant Fisher and party arrive from Borganes.

5 January 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather cold, heavy fall of snow.

6 January 1941

C.O. sees Brigadier Lammie re. proposed relief by 147 Brigade: Weather fine and cold.

7 January 1941

Letter from Officer Commanding 49 (West Riding) Division Signals, with reference to proposed attachment of 143 Field Regiment Signals Section to them in accordance with new Alabaster Force War Establishment. Weather warm.

2nd Lieutenant C W Fisher returned to Borganes. C.O. with Brigadier Kirkup discussing report on visit to North. Weather warm and muggy.

8 January 1941

Captain G W Watson and party returned to Borganes includes Gunner Sargent (RHQ).

TEWT with 1/6 Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. C.O. and Captain O’Callaghan attended.

ENSA Concert in evening. Weather mild.

9 January 1941

17:00 hours. First lecture on Military Law by Deputy Judge Advocate General. Weather fine and warm.

10 January 1941

Officer Commanding and RSM B? reconnoitred proposed artillery camp at SANSKEID. Weather fine and warm.

11 January 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather fine and warm.

12 January 1941

Professional Boxing Tournament. Lance Bombardier Gazzini won  ?  ? lost. Only two entries from Regiment. Weather warm and muggy.

13 January 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather cold and light night full of snow.

14 January 1941

09:00 hours. C.O.s lecture at Force tactical School. Weather very cold.

15 January 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather very cold. Signal Section less Party to 49 (West Riding) Division Signals.

16 January 1941

17:00 hours. Second Lecture on Military Law by Deputy Judge Advocate General. Weather cold. 2nd Lieutenant G R Wolff to 30th General Hospital.

17 January 1941

14:00 hours. C.O. and RSM B ? and Sgt Hickmote left for Borganes.

22:00 hours. 2nd Lieutenant Roberts, Lance Sergeant Thomsit, Gunner Weedon arrived from Borganes for course. Weather fine, cold.

49 (West Riding) Signals ?relieved A and RIGGA 2nd Lieutenant Wolff. Signal Section less Party returned from 49 (WR) Signals.

18 January 1941

Regimental football match with 1/5 West Yorks, Stadium Reykjavik. Lost 2 – 0. Weather fine, cold.

19 January 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather fine, very cold.

20 January 1941

14:00 hours. Court of Enquiry into loss of kit and equipment by 386 Battery during move overseas and damage to TOC (uncertain as to what this abbreviation means) . Weather fine, very cold.

21 January 1941

17:30 hours. Lecture by Lt Col Wallis-Symonds 636 Coast Battery on “Coast Defence”. Weather fine, very cold.

22 January 1941

17:00 hours. Lecture by Force Education Officer on “Why Germany cannot win this war”. Weather fine, very cold.

23 January 1941

17:00 hours. 3rd Lecture by Deputy Judge Advocate General on “Courts Martial”. Weather fine, very cold.

24 January 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather fine, cold, getting warmer.

25 January 1941

15:00 hours. G.S.O.3 visited RHQ. Weather fine, cold.

26 January 1941

Nothing of importance. Weather fine, cold.

27 January 1941

Lt (QM) Heal left for Borganes. L/Cpl Kemp ditto to relieve L/Sgt ? Slevins.

2/Lt Charrington ditto at conclusion of course at Force Tactical School.

70th Infantry Brigade TEWT on Gallipoli Campaign. Weather fine, cold.

28 January 1941

14:30 hours. D.A.A.Q.M.G. visited RHQ. Court of Enquiry 386 Battery into loss of revolver and other equipment. Weather fine, very cold.

29 January 1941

10:30 hours. C.O., RSM B? and Sgt ? returned from Borganes. Weather fine, very cold.

30 January 1941

18:00 hours. 2nd Lieutenant R F G Roberts and Gunner Weedon left for UK.

31 January 1941

G.O.C.’s TEWT. 2nd/Lt Pollard and 5 Other Ranks returned to Borganes. Weather fine, very cold.

To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.