2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - August 1943

1 August 1943

The Battalion settles into new billets and continues area cleaning.

2 August 1943

The Commanding Officer, accompanied by the Adjutant, Quartermaster, Medical Officer and RSM inspected the billets and Group areas of the whole Battalion. The Commanding Officer also made an inspection of all vehicles' camouflage.

4 August 1943

The Commanding Officer gave a lecture to all the Officers of the Battalion at HQ at 14:30 hours on the “European Fortress”.

Notice was brought to the attention of the Battalion of the proposed forming of a “Polar Bear Association” for ranks who had served with the Army in Iceland between 1940 – 1942. Major-General H O Curtis C.B., D.S.O., M.C. who commanded 49th Division in Iceland has consented to become President.

6 August 1943

Lt Dudley, “C” Group obtains qualification “much above average” on the result of his attending Course No. 9 at Western Command Camouflage School.

9 August 1943

Driver Operators Course under 2/Lieut Braybrook and to be continued by 2/Lieut B P Jones on his return from the Catterick School of Signals, assembles at “B” Group.

10 August 1943

AF G1098 has this day at last been received. It is thus one year all but 12 days since out old M.G. Battalion organisation was cancelled. Everyone now hopes we may be able to get down to the new organisation quickly. The lesson of patience under exasperating delay has however been well learned and we must not assume too much.

14 August 1943

The Commanding Officer held a Conference attended by the 2nd – in – Command, Group Commanders, and Adjutant to consider the long term training policy, and in particular, preparations for Combined Operations Training by Brigade Groups in October.

16 August 1943

Lt Fenwick joined this Unit and was posted to “C” Group.

“A” Group’s A/A Company, moves to D.E.M.S. School, Glasgow for a four days course.

19 August 1943

T/Lt A J W Such to be W/S Lt with effect from 5 February under authority of War Office Order Part II (b) No. 33-19 August.

20 August 1943

Lt Reay joined this Unit and posted to “B” Group on Commissioning. Lt Reay is an old member of the Battalion and was Orderly Room Sergeant up to the time of his posting to OCTU.

The Commanding Officer and Adjutant attend a demonstration of an “Infantry Attack with Support Weapons”. A Platoon of 4.2” Mortars and MMG’s of “B” Group participated. Lieut-General D F Anderson K.B.E., C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. and Lieut-General Sir B Paget K.C.B., D.S.O., M.C. were present. Other troops participating were 6th DWR and 185 Field Regiment Royal Artillery.

21 August 1943

The Commanding Officer and Group Commanders attend a review of Exercise “Contact II” at Ayr Racecourse and then proceed on Exercise PINWE which is to last until 25th.

22 August 1943

A short explosives course for the senior Officers of the Battalion is held at 294 Field Company, Royal Engineers at Doune.

25 August 1943

Exercise PINWE ends.

27 August 1943

Lt Archer, 2/Lt King, 2/Lt Nicol, CSM Haskell, Sgt Jewsbury and Sgt Burwell are congratulated by the Commanding Officer on obtaining excellent reports on No. 8 4.2” Mortar Course at Netheravon, particularly Lt Archer who obtained a “Distinguished”. These excellent results were mainly due to the hard work put in by these Officers and NCO’s on the Battalion “pre-Netheravon” Mortar Cadres.

All available Officers, Warrant Officers and Sergeants attend a lecture given by Lieut Instone on his escape from a German Prison Camp. The lecture was given at Hallams HQ, The Hydro, Crieff.

28 August 1943

The Commanding Officer holds a Conference for 2nd – in- Command and Group Commanders to consider matters arising out of Exercise PINWE as they apply to training in the Battalion.

“C” Group carry out Mortar Company Scheme to revise system of “Battle Drill”.

1 Officer and 24 Other Ranks of “B” Group on A/A Course at D.E.M.S. Scholl, Glasgow.

Lt Tyer and 2/Lt Mowbray commence a one-week M.T. Cadre for “B” Group. Also small Despatch Rider Cadre.

29 August 1943

Weapon Training Cadre for Officers and Sergeants commences at “A” Group under Warrant Officers of the S.A.S. Hythe Travelling Circus.

31 August 1943

Training on a Platoon and Company basis is proceeding rapidly within the limits allowed by equipment, particularly transport. We are still not mobilised.

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