289th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers, War Diary April 1943

1 April 1943 Stourbridge.

Did Cross Country Run – Company finished 2nd to 756 Field Company R.E.

2148553 passed basic course for Welder (Electric) at No. 25 (Preston) Technical Training Group.

2 April 1943

2070082. Attended Course of Instruction – CQMS Course (Field) No. 7. Result – “Passed” – a potential CQMS after probationary period of three months.

3 April 1943

2048974. Posted to this unit from Serial 35273 Cavalry Barracks, Hounslow.

2194101. Married at Parish Church, Redcar, Yorks to Joy Euphemia Ferguson.

4 April 1943

Divisional Mine-lifting demonstration including use of prodders – Polish Mine Detectors – all senior NCOs attended.

5 April 1943

4799926. Posted to this unit from Holding Company, Army Catering Corps Training Centre, Aldershot.

410802. Posted to No. 2 General Troops Workshops REME, Stirling.

6 April 1943

1813381 and 10543225. Posted to this unit from 294 Field Company Royal Engineers.

7 April 1943

10 miles Route March for Workshops and Bridging Platoons.

3977298. Passed Trade Test as Machinist Metals Group B Class II at No. 17 (Leicester) Technical Training Group.

951855. Posted to Serial 36517 Commandant Royal Engineers, 9th Command Troops Engineers.

8 April 1943

1882746. Removed from Trade Group of Clerk C II and reverts to Pioneer on account of inefficiency.

10 April 1943

7591644. Posted to this unit from 183 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery to take command of No. 9 Light Aid Detachment attached to this unit.

12 April 1943

Lt P R Arthur Officer in command of Advance Party leaves for IRVINE to prepare accommodation for Company at new location.

13 April 1943

Captain W O Davies granted 10 days’ leave.

2058636. Posted to C.R.E. (South West) 33, New Canal, Salisbury.

2121349. Posted to 3 Holding Battalion, R.E., Halifax.

15 April 1943

D Day for Company being day for completion of mobilisation.

17 April 1943

15:00 hours. Company leaves STOURBRIDGE for 1st Staging Camp en route for IRVINE, Scotland.

18 April 1943 Wellington.

08:30 hours. Company leaves Wellington for 2nd Staging Camp.

19 April 1943 Preston.

08:30 hours. Company leaves Preston for 3rd Staging Camp.

20 April 1943 Carlisle.

08:30 hours. Company leaves Carlisle for Irvine.

16:30 hours. Irvine. Company arrives New Location – billets situated in centre of town. Company HQ established 148 High Street, Irvine.

21 April 1943 Irvine.

Company engaged in off-loading and settling in to billets. Maintenance of vehicles and Company duties.

24 April 1943

2003344. Posted to War Establishment of this unit from 757 Field Company, R.E..

1881312. Posted to 238 A.T. Company Royal Engineers.

4 miles cross-country run for whole Company.

25 April 1943

Lt Saunders and 20 Other Ranks consisting of Rear Party at Stourbridge, rejoined Company.

27 April 1943

10 miles Route March for Company HQ and Forward Stores Platoons with Lt Arthur in command.

7957781. Posted to War Establishment of this unit from 183 Field Company R.E.

1893005. Posted to War Establishment of this unit from 148 Field Park Squadron, R.E.

2055150. Posted to War Establishment of this unit from HQRE 49 Division.

28 April 1943

Major I D S Brown granted 8 days’ leave.

1908088, 1908085, 2116678. Posted to 294 Field Company R.E., Stourbridge.

2005560. Posted to 756 Field Company R.E., Stourbridge.

29 April 1943

Lt Saunders and 10 Other Ranks return to Stourbridge as Advance Party for Company. It is expected to return to same billets.

2077906, 2016320, 2130979, 2122062. Posted to War Establishment of this unit from 79 Field Company R.E.

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