185th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, War Diary March 1943

1 March 1943

Unit located at R.A. Camp Penclawydd, Nr. Swansea. Strength – Officers 33, Other Ranks 686.

2 March 1943

Battery Training commenced. The following three week period was devoted to training on a battery basis, including battery drill orders and signalling, specialist and gunnery courses under battery supervision.

4 March 1943

10 Other Ranks posted from 5th Field Training Regiment R.A.

5 March 1943

Lieutenant J M Jennings (193454) proceeded on sick leave pending War Office posting orders.

10 Other Ranks posted from 23 Field Training Regiment RA. 1 Other Rank posted to 210 (M) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA.

6 March 1943

903502 Lance Bombardier Stead G W proceeded on Course No. 2, Crusader, Royal Artillery Motor Transport School.

7 March 1943

914451 Lance Bombardier Lyth L, 961870 Gunner Dickinson. 934617 Gunner Young R A 944722 Gunner Wetherall A E, 14243401 Gunner Sutton R proceeded on Tank O.P. Course, 11 Armoured Division.

9 March 1943

1 Other Rank posted from Survey Training Regiment School of Artillery. 1 Other Rank posted from HQ RA 49 Division. 1 Other Rank posted to 143 Field Regiment RA. 14215128 Gunner Collins and 4867985 Gunner Newmark proceeded on course to Intelligence Corps Depot.

10 March 1943

888002 Sergeant Myers J and 957496 Sergeant Hewson V went on Pot. Nos. 1 course No. 205, 4th Field Training Regiment.

11 March 1943

9 Other Ranks posted from 5th Field Training Regiment RA.

14 – 15 March 1943

All guns calibrated by fall of shot method.

15 March 1943

Sub-calibre Anti-Tank Range at WERNFRYDD brought into use. 895217 Gunner Wanstall E. 4968278 Gunner Cooper C. 895675 Gunner Goodyear R S. 897423 Gunner Kennedy C. 954486 Gunner Wroe G. went on Driver Mechanic course No. 11 25 T.T. Group, Preston.

17 March 1943

Personnel attached to 69 and 143 Field Regiments RA returned from Exercise Spartan.

18 March 1943

1441117 Gunner Boyce H C proceeded on course at Central Water Institute.

20 March 1943

Unit mobilisation ordered (WOUM. 79/Mob/5774/43). Appendix 1 Unit Mobilisation Scheme. Appendix 2 Unit Mobilisation Log gives day to day record of progress of mobilisation. (Unfortunately, these Appendices do not seem to have survived to be included in the War Diary file – this is regrettable as it would have been interesting to have confirmation of what was included in the process).

23 March 1943

1 Other Rank posted to Pioneer Corps. 1774335 Lance Bombardier Green (Fitter, Gun), 853016 Gunner Dimmock (Artificer, Royal Artillery) went on upgrading course at Military College of Science.

24 March 1943

Unit visited by Lieutenant General E C A Schreiber C.B., D.S.O. GoC-in-C Western Command.

957474 Bombardier Watson proceeded on course No. 113 G Branch Training Establishment, RAOC.

30 March 1943

2/Lieutenants A L P Laurence (262595) and O M Gould (262615) posted to 147 Field Regiment RA.

4868911 Gunner Sykes S. 1106769 Gunner Brown R. 919383 Gunner Philpott H. 2993493 Gunner Simmons A. proceeded on No.57 Cooks Course at E.C.T.C. Chester.

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