185th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, War Diary December 1942
21 December 1942 Penclawdd
185 Field Regiment, RA consisting of 274 Field Battery RA (ex 69 Field Regiment RA) and 386 Field Battery RA (ex 143 Field Regiment RA) formed as part of 49 Division at Penclawdd, Near Swansea. Authority: War Office letter 20/Arty/6092 (A.G.6A). Strength of Batteries: 274 Battery Officers 10 Other Ranks 194, 386 Battery Officers 8 Other Ranks 194.
Lieutenant Colonel K F Mackay Lewis M.C. RA (14122) posted from 7th Survey Regiment RA to assume command of 185 Field Regiment RA. Authority: W.O.U.M.P./14122/6/ (A.G.6P) of 17 December 1942.
Second–in-Command: T/Major R Hudson RA (41613), posted from 69th Field Regiment RA to assume appointment of second-in-command – RA 49 Division letter 107/RA of 17.12.42.
Adjutant: T/Captain W H Jaine RA (195921) posted from 178 Field Regiment RA to assume the appointment of Adjutant. Authority: RA 49 Division letter 107/RA of 17.12.42.
The undermentioned Officers of 274 Battery joined this Regiment on formation from 69th Field Regiment RA :-
Battery Commander. Major P G Paul RA (51460)
Battery Captain. Captain W M F Coverdale RA (56307)
C Troop Commander. Captain E W Garnett RA (90105)
D Troop Commander. Captain J P Robertson RA (87175)
Lieutenant W S Brown RA (134942)
Lieutenant P D Youlton RA (184305)
Lieutenant J M Jennings RA (193454)
Lieutenant D Bryan RA (187229)
Lieutenant J P Hayley RA (187234)
2/Lieutenant H Cannell RA (243688)
The undermentioned Officers of 386 Battery joined this Regiment from 143 Field Regiment RA:-
Battery Commander. Major G C R Bailey RA (65237)
Battery Captain. Captain M W L Berry RA (98976)
A Troop Commander. Lieutenant D J Brabin RA (132022)
B Troop Commander. Lieutenant A G Airy RA (99222)
Lieutenant T E Flynn RA (145566)
2/Lieutenant W J Orme RA (243675)
2/Lieutenant R D Driscoll RA (247425)
2/Lieutenant J G D Phillips RA (253319)
W.O.I RSM No. 1046366 Davies G E joined from 69 Field Regiment RA.
W.O.II RQMS No. 909174 Taylor R M joined from 143 Field Regiment RA.
W.O.II’s 274 Field Battery RA joined:-
1063296 W/BSM Sackett S E B
814124 W/BSM Rycroft J E
754749 W/BSM Beckwith J
W.O.II’s 386 Field Battery RA joined:-
888255 W/BSM Amos C A
1066821 W/BSM Woodhouse C W
760456 W/BSM Laing R
Lieutenant Colonel K F Mackay Lewis M.C. RA (Commanding Officer) attended a conference at the War Office to discuss formation of new Regiments RA.
Advance Party consisting of the following arrived Penclawdd Camp:-
Major R Hudson RA
Captain W H Jaine RA
RSM Davies G E
Sgt (A.C.) Stokoe L J
8 Other Ranks.
22 December 1942
The Camp was taken over from Captain R Law RA.
Lieutenant Quartermaster J Leach RA joined on posting from 137 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Authority: War Office letter 20/Arty/6092 (A.G. 6P) of 16.12.42.
Lieutenant Colonel K F Mackay Lewis M.C. RA (Commanding Officer) visited HQ RA 49 Division to discuss formation of Regiment.
23 December 1942
Lieutenant Colonel K F Mackay Lewis M.C. RA arrived at Penclawydd and assumed command of the Regiment. 274 and 386 Field Batteries left their parent units and joined 185 Field Regiment RA at Penclawydd Camp, near Swansea.
26 December 1942
The third Battery of the Regiment was formed from nucleus of 274 and 386 Batteries. As no designation had yet been allotted it was known as “R” Battery.
The following Officers were posted to “R” Battery:-
Battery Commander. Major P G Paul RA
Battery Captain. Lieutenant T E Flynn RA
Troop Commander Lieutenant D J Brabin RA
Lieutenant D Bryan RA
Lieutenant W S Brown RA
Captain W M F Coverdale promoted Acting Major and assumed command 274 Field Battery RA.
28 December 1942
The undermentioned arrived to complete War Establishment on formation in accordance with W.O.L. 20/Arty/6092 (A.G.6A) of 17 Dec. 42. Transferred to Royal Artillery (Field) –
71 Other Ranks from 70th Battalion Leicester Regiment.
8 Other Ranks from 70th Battalion London Irish Rifles.
1 Other Rank from 69 Field Regiment RA.
892154 BQMS Cairns J M, 895885 Sergeant Howard C and 921850 Sergeant Hughes L J – promoted Battery Sergeant Major with effect from 21.12.42.
30 December 1942
The undermentioned arrived on posting to complete War Establishment on formation in accordance with W.O.L. 20/Arty/6092 (A.G.6A) of 17.12.42.
10 Other Ranks posted from 23rd Field Regiment RA.
11 Other Ranks posted from No. 3 Primary Training Centre.
11 Other Ranks posted from No. 25 Primary Training Centre.
1 Other Rank posted from No. 14 Primary Training Centre.
1 Other Rank posted from No. 6 Primary Training Centre.
61 Other Ranks posted from No. 29 Primary Training Centre.
2 Other Ranks transferred to Royal Artillery (Field) from 70th Battalion Leicesters.
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