294th Field Company Royal Engineers - War Diary - July 1943

1 July 1943 HALTON.

3 Platoon proceeded on detachment from HALTON BRIDGING CAMP to MUTHILL, Perthshire to construct mock-up enemy positions for Divisional training. It would appear that the rest of the Company remained at HALTON. Appendices B and C attached to War Diary. See below for details.

19 July 1943

Company less 3 Platoon departed HALTON for new location DUNNING, Perthshire, staging at CARLISLE en route and arriving DUNNING 20 April 1943 (it is believed this should read 20 July 1943).

Appendices attached to the July 1943 War Diary of 294th Field Company, Royal Engineers.

Appendix B - Training Programme for the period 11 July 1943.

This single page sets out the Company Programme by sessions and by day from 5th to 11th July.

The week was spent on bridging training, including; building and dismantling a Class 40 Bailey Bridge, working with 756 Field Company, rafting and ferrymanship, building and dismantling a Class 40 Bailey Bridge at night, building and dismantling a Pontoon Bridge, and building and dismantling a Class 24 Bridge. Time was allowed for billet cleaning and Pay Parade, and some free time.

Appendix C – Training Programme for period ending 18 July 1943.

Bridging and watermanship training continued at HALTON, including; dismantling the Class 24 Bridge constructed the previous week, dealing with propulsion units, dealing with an 80 foot dual carriageway Bailey Bridge, anchors and watermanship, building and dismantling a Class 40 Bailey Bridge from Motor Transport together with 756 Field Company, building a Class 70 Bailey Bridge with 756 Field Company and post-course cleaning of equipment. The week ended with a Regatta.

It is of interest that the Territorial Army Unit to which the researcher was attached in the early 1970's carried out their Watermanship Training, using folding Assault Boats, at HALTON CAMP.

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