294th Field Company Royal Engineers - War Diary - August 1943
1 August 1943 DUNNING.
Company employed on construction of mock-up enemy defences for Divisional training at MUTHILL. Lieutenant DAVIES commenced instruction of Driver/Operators in wireless procedure and operation of No. 21 Sets.
2 August 1943
2nd Lieutenant WARNER and party proceeded on detachment to Royal Engineers HQ FIVEWAYS to move several large trees and to gain experience in moving weights, winching, and use of DANARM SAW.
4 August 1943
Divisional Commander inspected works at MUTHILL and was well pleased with lay-out and progress.
5 August 1943
Company, less 3 Platoon, moved from DUNNING to DOUNE, Perthshire, completing move same day. Move of Main Body carried out after day’s work at MUTHILL in order to interrupt works as little as possible.
6 August 1943 DOUNE.
Part of Company employed in “settling in” at DOUNE, remainder employed on works at MUTHILL.
7 August 1943
Lieutenant BURDETT proceeded on Divisional Exercise CONTACT 2 to act as combined Company Commander/Reconnaissance Officer/Umpire.
8 August 1943
2nd Lieutenant WARNER returned from detachment at RE HQ having completed task.
9 August 1943
ENSA Stage show in Muir Hall (dining room) in evening.
10 August 1943
Lieutenant DAVIES, 2nd Lieutenant WARNER and 2nd Lieutenant WIZARD attended mechanical equipment demonstration at NEWARK.
11 August 1943
Four No. 22 Wireless Sets received by Company.
Film show “Hangmen also die” PRESENTED BY Army Kinema Service in Muir Hall in evening.
12 August 1943
Lieutenant BURDETT returned from Exercise CONTACT 2.
Personnel who had not signed “Warning Rolls” at STOURBRIDGE signed them today at MUTHILL.
13 August 1943
Electrical and Mechanical Engineer HQ Royal Artillery visited Company to inspect all “A” vehicles.
Regimental Medical Officer completed inoculations in afternoon.
Company Dance held in Muir Hall in evening.
14 August 1943
Company still employed on works at MUTHILL. Commandant Royal Engineers and Majot TYZACK visited works and Company in afternoon.
Lieutenant DAVIES was Prosecuting Officer at Field General Court Martial at DUNBLANE.
Lieutenant BURDETT was member of Court at Field General Court Martial held at STRATHAVAN.
16 August 1943
2nd Lieutenant WARNER proceeded on Scottish Command Company Commanders’ Course to be held at EDINBURGH.
Brigade Commander visited Officer Commanding to discuss general training.
Training Programme for the week commencing 16th August attached to War Diary as Appendix D – for details see below.
17 August 1943
Film show “Crossroads” presented by Army Kinema Service in Muir Hall in evening.
18 August 1943
Company Dance held at Muir Hall in evening.
19 August 1943
Brigade Liaison Officer visited Officer Commanding in morning.
20 August 1943
Company still engaged on works at MUTHILL.
Captain LANGLEY, Lieutenant DAVIES, Lieutenant HATFIELD and 2nd Lieutenant WIZARD attended Divisional Royal Engineers Study Day at Dundonald I & II Combined Training Centre DUNDONALD. Commandant Royal Engineers and Major TYZACK lectured on general organisation and handling of Royal Engineers in combined operations.
Lieutenant BURDETT was member of Court at Field General Court Martial held at STRATHAVAN.
Lieutenant DAVIES proceeded on privilege leave.
21 August 1943
Company give half-day off. Raining as usual. Morning spent on P.T. and conservancy.
Captain LANGLEY explained the Army Savings Association to Company – quite a number of men interested, they have been streaming into the Company Office all afternoon.
23 August 1943
Normal works day at MUTHILL.
Captain LANGLEY attended lecture at EDINBURGH by Major General BROWNING on Airborne Operations in Sicily.
24 August 1943
Training film on obstacles, assault bridging and collection of casualties in Muir Hall in evening.
25 August 1943
2nd Lieutenant MOWAT posted to Company on first commissioning from 143 OCTU, Royal Engineers, NEWARK. See also 289 Field Park Company.
Recreational film in Muir Hall in evening.
26 August 1943
Audit Board composed of Captain LANGLEY, Lieutenant HOWARD and Lieutenant DONOHUE audited Regimental Accounts of Company.
Brigadier PROCTER and Major TYZACK visited MUTHILL works site to determine positions of wire fences and mock-up LCA’s (Landing Craft Assault).
27 August 1943
2nd Lieutenant MOWAT and party of NCOs attended lecture on escaping from enemy prison camps at The HYDRO, CRIEFF. In the afternoon he took a party of NCOs to a demonstration of Landing Craft at TROON Harbour.
28 August 1943
MUTHILL detachment (3 Platoon) handed over accommodation at MUTHILL and rejoined Company at DOUNE.
Lieutenant HATFIELD proceeded on short leave prior to attending Bomb Disposal Course at School of Military Engineering, RIPON.
30 August 1943
3 Platoon proceeded on privilege leave.
Lieutenant A C DAVIES returned from privilege leave.
Appendices attached to August 1943 War Diary.
Appendix D – Motor Transport Training Programme for week beginning 16th August.
This single sheet sets out the activities by periods and included a daily session on tasks – with explanations by the NCO in charge of the Platoon and practice on the Drivers’ own vehicles. Specific session were held on the Bren Gun Carrier, familiarisation with tools, practice in chain fitting for winter and ditching and unditching practice. Time was also spent on Motor Transport Standing Orders, Map Reading, Compass Reading and Night Map Reading.
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