25th Mule Company, War Diary June 1942

1 June 1942

20:15 hours. A dull drizzly day. Company carried out a day route march by Sub-Divisions. Pay for the month of May 1942 was drawn and disbursed.

2 June 1942

A dull day with intermittent drizzle and plenty of mud. A Guard consisting of one Naik, two Lance-Naiks and ten drivers proceeded to HQ Indian Contingent for duty. Normal routine carried out as far as weather permitted.

Six Drivers and one Blacksmith reported arrival on posting from REINFORCEMENT UNIT.

3 June 1942

19:00 hours. A warm sunny day. Normal routine carried out.

4 June 1942

20:30 hours. A very warm day. A route march by Sub-Divisions was carried out during which opportunity was taken to graze animals for two hours.

Jemadar ABDULLAH rejoined from leave and Lance Naik ABDUL HAMID rejoined from Section Indian General Hospital.

5 June 1942

12:30 hours. A warm sunny day. The Director A.V. & R.S. (Brigadier MURRAY) carried out a veterinary inspection of unit animals, he was accompanied on his inspection by Lt Col GLYN LLOYD RAVC and the D.A.D.V. & R.S. Southern and Western Commands (Major H D LEWIS RAVC). The remainder of the day was observed as a holiday.

6 June 1942

14:00 hours. A warm sunny day in which normal routine was carried out. Officer Commanding the Company (Captain W. JAMESON) delivered a lecture on current affairs. Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent (Captain CHANDRA) visited the unit.

7 June 1942

19:30 hours. SUNDAY – a sunny day with cold wind and threatening rain. Lieut A V COWELL rejoined from leave. Personnel attended radio programme in the morning.

8 June 1942

A cold day with intermittent sunshine and showers. The Company carried out a day route march by Sub-Divisions with which grazing animals was combined.

Two NCOs from No. 2 Pack Transport Company reported for the purpose of taking over the Efficiency Challenge Trophy.

9 June 1942

09:00 hours. A dull cold day. One Naik, Two Lance Naiks and ten drivers reported on returning from Guard Duty at the HQ Indian Contingent. The Efficiency Trophy was handed over to two NCOs of No. 2 Pack Transport Company. Two Naiks rejoined from HQ Indian Contingent English Course.

19:00 hours. Company carried out a route march under load by Sub-Divisions during which opportunity was taken to graze animals. A mild, pleasant day.

11 June 1942

19:00 hours. A warm sunny day in which routine duties were carried out.

12 June 1942

16:00 hours. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) proceeded to WOKING with two VCOs and 11 Indian Other Ranks to take part in the United Nations Day Ceremony of Honouring the Flags.

Company carried out a route march – half day – by Sub-Divisions when opportunity was taken to graze.

13 June 1942

09:25 hours. Overcast. Lieut H E F MORRIS visited men in Section Indian General Hospital.

18:15 hours. Overcast with occasional bright intervals. Normal routine carried out. Unit saddlery inspection.

14 June 1942

Heavy showers. SUNDAY – personnel attended radio programme in the morning. Lieut H E F MORRIS present.

15 June 1942

09:10 hours. Overcast with light drizzle. Route march under Troop arrangements. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) and detachment returned to unit less 1 VCO (Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M.).

16 June 1942

A fair day with occasional sunshine and showers. Normal routine carried out.

17 June 1942

17:20 hours. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) proceeded on detachment to recce new location. Fine with sunny intervals.

Company carried out route march under Sub-Divisional arrangements. Jemadar SAJAWAL KHAN proceeded to LONDON to be present at a Reception on invitation of the Council of the East India Association at the Imperial Institute, SOUTH KENSINGTON.

18 June 1942

17:05 hours. Rissaldar MIR JAMAN proceeded to Manchester to participate in Daily Express Pageant entitled “Battle for Freedom”.

Overcast with tendency to drizzle. Normal duties carried out.

19 June 1942

17:35 hours. Company carried out a route march by Sub-Divisions – half-day.

20 June 1942

09:05 hours. Warm and sunny. 20 Remounts arrived Railway Station at 20:15 hours from NO. 2 Remount Depot and were conducted to Camp.

Rissaldar NIZAM DIN I.D.S.M., Rissaldar MIR ZAMAN and Jemadar SAJAWAL KHAN rejoined unit.

17:00 hours. Normal routine carried out. Unit Durbar. Overcast later turning to sunshine.

21 June 1942

19:30 hours. SUNDAY – personnel attended radio programme in the morning. Lieut H E F MORRIS present. Bright and sunny.

22 June 1942

17:05 hours. Rissaldar MIR ZAMAN proceeded on leave. Route march under Sub-Divisional arrangements. Captain W JAMESON rejoined unit 16:30 hours. A warm and sunny day.

23 June 1942

A warm sunny day in which normal routine was carried out. Lieut A V COWELL delivered a lecture on current affairs.

24 June 1942

10:15 hours. A warm pleasant day. Lieut H E F MORRIS proceeded on leave incl 24 incl 27 June 1942. Company carried out a route march by Sub-Divisions in which opportunity was taken to graze animals. The Commander, Indian Contingent (Col R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C.) visited the unit.

25 June 1942

08:45 hours. Major J P HEGARTY M.C., RAVC proceeded to CHESTER for medical treatment. Normal routine carried out. A warm sunny day. Unit M.O. carried out a Medical Inspection of Company HQ, “A” and “B” Troops.

26 June 1942

18:10 hours. A warm sunny day. Company carried out a route march by Sub-Divisions in which opportunity was taken to graze animals. Major J P HEGARTY M.C. RAVC rejoined unit.

27 June 1942

17:30 hours. Officer Commanding (Captain W JAMESON) proceeded on leave. Lieut A V COWELL visited unit personnel at Casualty Clearing Station. Overcast. Normal routine duties carried out.

28 June 1942

20:30 hours. SUNDAY. Personnel attended radio programme in the morning. Volleyball match against 29 Mule Company.

29 June 1942

No. 2 Sub-Division proceeded to a firing range at ? 096718 with the object of carrying out field firing. Captain W Jameson rejoined from leave. No. 1 Sub-Division carried out a route march with which grazing of animals was combined.

30 June 1942

10:00 hours. A warm sunny day.

Rissaldar MIR ZAMAN rejoined from Manchester. A warm sunny day. Routine duties carried out.

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