29th Mule Company, War Diary October 1942

1 October 1942 AVIEMORE.

18:20 hours. C.O visited No. 2 Sub-Division. Sunny and cold.

2 October 1942

18:25 hours. 2/Lt MOHD ASHRAF, Rissaldar AHMED NAWAZ and Temporary Daffadar NAWAB DIN of this unit attended a demonstration and inspection of enemy AFVs at Aviemore 07:30 hours. Advance Party of No. 2 Sub-Division consisting of 10 Other Ranks proceeded to Nairn. Aslo sixteen tons of stores were sent by train. Weather cold and dull.

3 October 1942

18:20 hours. C.O., 2/Lt MOHD ASHRAF and Lieut C W CHAPPEL RAVC attended a lecture given by Commander Indian Contingent on Winter Training. C.O. attended conference at No. 4 Pack Group regarding move to winter quarters. Advance Party No. 1 Sub-Division and Headquarters consisting of one VCO and 10 Other Ranks proceeded to Fochabers. Weather fine but cold.

4 October 1942

18:32 hours. Personnel of No. 1 Sub-Division and HQ Troop attended broadcast. Weather fine.

5 October 1942

19:17 hours. Examination for promotion from Drivers to Lance Naiks held for two vacancies. C.O. 4 Pack Group visited the unit regarding move to winter quarters. Trot out of all animals in Company under Veterinary Officer was carried out.

6 October 1942

18:10 hours. C.O. visited Railway Transport Officer AVIEMORE regarding move to winter quarters and C.O. 47 S.D.S. regarding supply of forage. Weather sunny and warm.

7 October 1942

18:19 hours. Heavy baggage of unit plus accommodation stores were loaded at Aviemore Station. Unit bivouacked in Camp R “5” and B “3” for night 7/8. Lieut MOHD ASHRAF proceeded to LONDON to join the reception held to meet the two Indian members at the War Cabinet, at the Imperial Institute on 8th evening. Fine day.

8 October 1942

18:30 hours. Unit commenced march to winter locations. HQ plus 1 Sub-Division moved to Reinforcement Unit at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Grant

Castle Grant] via Grantown.  Time taken 07:30 hours – 14:00 hours.  Approximately 16 miles.  Cold and windy.

19:00 hours. No. 2 Sub-Division marched from Camp B “3” AVIEMORE to BURNSIDE Map Sheet 38, 465622. Open field with little cover. Time taken 07:30 hours – 16:30 hours. Weather cold with strong wind.

9 October 1942 DALDANATH.

18:35 hours. HQ plus 1 Sub-Division marched from Castle Grant to Farm, CRAIGALLACHIE, DALDANATH. Approximately 23 miles. Time taken 07:30 hours – 17:00 hours. Fine day.

18:15 hours. NAIRN. No. 2 Sub-Division marched from BURNSIDE to NAIRN. Arrived in new Camp at 13:00 hours. Hutted camp. Stables of tubular steel scaffolding. Roofing of stables not complete. Cooking arrangements poor. No bathing facilities. Weather sunny but cold.

10 October 1942

18:45 hours FOCHABERS. No. 1 Sub-Division and HQ marched from CRAIGALLACHIE to Gordon Castle, FOCHABERS. Approximately 18 miles, 07:30 – 12:15 hours. New quarters at FOCHABERS still under construction consisting of wooden and Nissen huts for personnel and concreted covered standings for animals. C.O. and Veterinary Officer proceeded to NAIRN to inspect No. 2 Sub-Division. Weather fine.

18:35 hours. NAIRN. All men engaged in working parties in camp in addition to normal duties. Major General I C CHANT C.B.E., D.S.O. Commanding North Highland District visited Detachment to inspect accommodation for men and animals. Weather cloudy and cold.

11 October 1942

18:15 hours FOCHABERS.

Personnel attended broadcast, afterwards they celebrated ID. Senior Medical Officer Indian Contingent Major J W PARSONS visited NAIRN and FOCHABERS regarding medical arrangements. Adjutant Indian Contingent Captain A GREEN RIASC also A20 Lieut P C KHANNA visited NAIRN Camp regarding construction of cookhouse, mosque and VCOs Mess. C.O., Veterinary Officer, I.A., Medical Officer and Quartermaster visited NAIRN camp regarding celebration of ID. Fine and warm day.

18:19 hours. NAIRN. ID-UL-FITR. Major J W A PARSONS M.B.E., Senior Medical Officer Indian Contingent accompanied by Major H SOMERVILLE D.A.D.H. North Highland District visited camp to inspect sanitary and medical arrangements. Weather fine and sunny.

12 October 1942

19:09 hours. FOCHABERS.

Admin. Officer Indian Contingent Lieut P C KHANNA visited Headquarters of the unit regarding administration. Showery day.

19:09 Hours NAIRN. 20 men as working party with Royal Engineers. Remainder as Camp working party and to carry out normal routine. Weather showery.

13 October 1942

18:35 hours. FOCHABERS. C.O. and Veterinary Officer of the unit proceeded to NAIRN to inspect No. 2 Sub-Division. Lieut MOHD ASHRAF rejoined unit from LONDON. Weather fine.

18:15 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday 12th. Weather fine and sunny.

14 October 1942

18:40 hours. FOCHABERS. C.O. and Veterinary Officer of the unit returned from NAIRN. Weather fine.

18:20 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday 12th. Weather fine and sunny.

15 October 1942

18:40 hours. FOCHABERS. Lieut-Col THOMPSON D.A.Q.M.G. North Highland District visited the lines regarding accommodation. Fine day.

18:15 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday. Weather showery and wind strong.

16 October 1942

19:00 hours. FOCHABERS. C.O. proceeded on 48 hours leave. Fine day.

18:20 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday. Weather fine.

17 October 1942

18:30 hours. FOCHABERS. Veterinary Officer of the unit proceeded to NAIRN to inspect animals with Detachment. Rainy day.

18:40 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday. Weather showery.

18 October 1942

18:50 hours. FOCHABERS. All personnel available attended broadcast. Lecture was given on RUSSIA, bombing of FRANCE and the FAR EAST. Col R W W HILLS O.B.E., M.C Commanding Indian Contingent accompanied by Captain G B URQUHART, Operations Officer Indian Contingent visited unit lines. Wet day.

18:30 hours. NAIRN. 20 men as working party with Royal Engineers half day. Weather fine.

19 October 1942

18:40 hours. FOCHABERS. Major H N N FAWCETT Commanding No.4 Pack Group visited FOCHABERS regarding accommodation. Unit commenced clipping animals. Dull and wet day.

18:20 hours. NAIRN. 20 men as working party with Royal Engineers. Remainder as camp working party and to carry out normal routine. Weather showery.

20 October 1942

18:50 hours. FOCHABERS. Very wet day. Little work could be carried out.

18:30 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday. Col E M R COGHLAN M.B.E. Chief Engineer North Highland District visited Camp to inspect progress on Royal Engineers work. Rainy day.

21 October 1942

18:40 hours. FOCHABERS. C.O., Veterinary Officer, I.A., and Quartermaster visited NAIRN. C.O. visited D.C.R.E. ELGIN, Major TODD, with reference to accommodation of animals. Stormy day.

18:35 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday. A free cinema show was arranged for 50 men at Playhouse Cinema, NAIRN. Weather showery.

22 October 1942

18:55 hours. FOCHABERS. Major General R M M LOCKHART C.I.E., M.C. Secretary, Military Department, India Office accompanied by Col R W W HILLS O.B.E. M.C. Commander, Indian Contingent visited the unit at FOCHABERS and NAIRN. Commander 4 Pack Group, Major H N N FAWCETT was present.

C.O. and I.A. also proceeded to NAIRN with party on visit. C.O. visited A.D.A.C.M.G. 52 Division, Major COPLAND with reference to 52 Division HQ and Signal Exercise “SKIMP” to make arrangements for personnel and animals. Weather warm with showers. Standing Orders issued – copy attached as Appendix “A”. (The document did not survive to be included in the War Diary file at Kew).

18:30 hours. NAIRN. 10 men as working party with Royal Engineers. Weather sunny.

23 October 1942

18:45. FOCHABERS. D.A.D.V. & R.S. 52 Division Lt Col STALKER inspected animals of this unit at FOCHABERS and NAIRN. C.O. and Veterinary Officer accompanied him on his inspection. Fine day.

19:00 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday. Weather showery.

24 October 1942

18:30 hours. Lt Col FREEMAN COWAN C.R.A.S.C. North Highland District visited FOCHABERS regarding rations for personnel and animals. Captain J R RUSSELL RASC Supplies Officer 52 Division visited unit at FOCHABERS regarding rations for personnel and animals for Exercise “SKIMP”. Weather fine.

18:50 hours. NAIRN. Normal duties. Weather fine and sunny.

25 October 1942

18:35 hours. FOCHABERS. The personnel attended broadcast. Weather fine and cloudy.

18:40 hours. NAIRN. 20 men as working party with Royal Engineers. Weather fine and sunny.

26 October 1942

18:30 hours. FOCHABERS. The Veterinary Officer, No. 1 Sub-Division Commander and 59 Other Ranks with 81 horses of A Troop proceeded by train from ORBLISTON JON to HALLINDALLOCH and 59 Other Ranks with 81 horses of B Troop proceeded from ORBLISTON JON to GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY by train for Exercise “SKIMP”. The C.O. proceeded by van for the Exercise. Weather fine and showery.

18:50 hours. NAIRN. A cinema show was given in recreation hut by the Welfare Officer, Indian Contingent. 20 men as working party with Royal Engineers. Remainder on normal duties. Heavy rain all day.

27 October 1942

18:40 hours. FOCHABERS. Major H N N FAWCETT Commander 4 Pack Group visited the unitlines. Weather cloudy, raining at intervals.

18:35 hours. NAIRN. As far Monday. Heavy rain all day.

28 October 1942

18:30 hours. FOCHABERS. Weather uncertain and cold.

18:55 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday. Fine and sunny.

29 October 1942

18:45 hours. FOCHABERS. C.O. returned from Exercise “SKIMP”. Weather fine, rain in the afternoon.

18:50 hours. NAIRN. As for Monday. Rain and high wind.

30 October 1942

18:15 hours. FOCHABERS. No.1 Sub-Division returned from Exercise “SKIMP”. C.O. proceeded on seven days’ leave and Lt H THOMAS Officer Commanding Detachment 29 Mule Company assumed the temporary command. Major H N N FAWCETT visited the lines. Weather fine and cold.

18:45 hours. NAIRN. 60 men taken to a free cinema show in NAIRN. Weather fine.

31 October 1942

18:35 hours. FOCHABERS. Brigadier F L JOHNSTON O.B.E. Commanding 157 Infantry Brigade visited lines to inspect accommodation for men and animals. Weather fine.

18:47 hours. NAIRN. Normal routine. Brigadier F L JOHNSTON O.B.E. Commanding 157 Infantry Brigade visited Camp regarding accommodation for men and animals. Weather fine.

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