2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - December 1943
1 December 1943 – Bn HQ
Cpl Wigg R of “B” Group attended Course No 85 at the Command School of Instruction (Pay Duties) from 25th to 30th October and qualified Q1.
5 December 1943 – Bn HQ
Church Parade at St John’s Episcopal Church of Scotland. Captain G D Fulcher is taking the Parade. After this service the men are shown training films in one of the local cinemas.
6 December 1943 – Bn HQ
The Commanding Officer leaves for Suffolk where he is to visit “C” Group.
Battalion HQs and “A” Groups’ Advance Parties leave for Suffolk.
Weather cold and foggy.
“C” Group – Benacre.
6 – 8 December. Brigade Exercise “Discover”. A skeleton HQ exercise for the Group.
7 December 1943 – Bn HQ
Major Longbotham DADMS visits the Battalion to discuss future Medical arrangements when the Battalion is split up.
A little rainfall. “C” Group – Benacre.
Visit by the C.O. Lt Col D V G Brock.
8 December 1943 – Bn HQ
Captain Frary and Lt Zimmerman leave on a Lloyd Carrier water-proofing Course at the Craven Arms.
A foggy morning, clearing in late afternoon. Clear cold night.
“C” Group – Benacre.
One Other Rank posted from 1st Reserve Battalion (Support Unit) and taken on strength.
One Other Rank posted from 107 Regiment RAC and taken on strength.
One Other Rank posted from 10th Buffs and taken on strength.
9 December 1943 – Bn HQ
Captain Attrill leaves for a Company Commanders Vehicle Maintenance Course at Scottish Command Vehicle Maintenance School in Glasgow.
2/Lt Griffiths goes on a Motorcycle Course.
Colder and brighter than yesterday.
10 December 1943 – Bn HQ
Two Platoons of “B” Group, one Mortar and one Machine-Gun leave for Rothesay.
Battalion HQ and “A” Group commence train loading in preparation for the move to Suffolk which is known as Exercise “Astonia”.
Hard frost.
11 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
Sgt Naunton (?) returns from a Course on 2nd Echelon Duties he attended at 21 Army Group.
Since “A” Group are leaving tomorrow a Social Evening was held in the Sergeants’ Mess, to which all the Officers were invited.
Bitterly cold – hard frost.
12 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
“A” Group start on Exercise “Astonia”.
Just after mid-day, a serious accident took place in which Pte Swann S G of “B” Group was fatally injured. Pte Swann was one of eight passengers in the back of a 15cwt Bedford truck which was returning to Johnstone Castle from the C.R.S. at Paisley. According to statements made at a Court of Enquiry the vehicle was travelling between twenty and thirty mph when it struck an icy patch on the road. The driver lost control and the truck collided violently with an Electric Standard pole on the left hand side of the road – the pole actually struck the driver’s door.
The vehicle turned round twice and all the passengers in the back with the exception of Pte Williams E R 621633, who fell to the floor and was uninjured, were thrown out onto the footway.
Pte Davis R (6104876), the driver, was pinned in his seat and suffered a compound fracture of the right femur. Pte Curtis J (6207257) who was sitting in front with Pte Davis escaped injury.
Pte Swann S G (6107514) was thrown out of the truck on to his head and fractured his skull. He died before the ambulance arrived.
6854470 Pte Messer A. Fractured skull.
6107761 Pte Dunn H. Head and arm injuries. Not detained in hospital.
6212876 Cpl Gibson J. Head and leg injuries. Not detained in hospital.
6204408 L/Cpl Rose C. Leg and hand injuries. Left hospital the same evening.
6207645 Sgt Pharoah F. Detained in hospital.
6216333 Pte Edgar R W. Uninjured.
6209970 Pte Ford F O was rendered unconscious for a short time but was able to get up and telephone for an ambulance.
The accident took place on a tarmac road which had been rendered treacherous by ice and the hard frost of the previous night.
The Police Report attributes the accident to the weather conditions and the state of the road. No inquest is held.
13 December 1943 – B Group – Johnstone, Renfrewshire.
The Group comes under command of 147 Infantry Brigade. According to 49 Division letter No 5449 dated 9th December 1943, Brigade Group has been left in this area in order that Battalion Groups may carry out Combined Training at CTC Rothesay and Kilbride.
An Advance Party of one Officer (2/Lt Thornhill, Mortar Company, and 26 Other Ranks has already gone to Tighnabruich. The 26 Other Ranks are drivers who will maintain vehicles on the mainland. They have been joined by a recce party under Captain J T Stanyer, O.C. MG Company, who is liaising with the Battalion Commander of 11th Royal Scots Fusiliers on exercises. Another Advance Party under Captain R F Green, 2 i/c Mortar Company, has moved to Rothesay on 10 December 1943.
A party of one Officer (2/Lt Warner, Signals Officer) and 20 Other Ranks is at Darvel on a Brigade mines and booby-traps course arranged by 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.
Captain E J Frary, 2 i/c, MG Company, went to Western Command Vehicle Maintenance School on 9 December 1943 to attend a Carrier waterproofing course.
2/Lt J T Griffiths, AA Company, went to Scottish Command Vehicle Maintenance School on 9 December 1943 to attend a Motorcycle Course.
The rest of the Group are in B Camp, Johnstone.
“C” Group – Benacre.
Visit by Major General E H Barker CB, CBE, DSO, MC commanding 49 Infantry Division.
14 December 1943 – Bn HQ
Battalion HQ start out on Exercise “Astonia”. First night staged at Hadrian’s Camp, Carlisle.
“A” Group – Corton.
20:00 hours. Group Main Body arrived at CORTON Civil Services Holiday Camp. Weather fine.
“B” Group – Johnstone.
Captain J T Stanyer and his recce party move from Tighnabruich to Rothesay.
15 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
Second day of move. Stage at Doncaster Race-Course. “A” Group arrive in East Anglia.
“B” Group – Johnstone.
The Main Body for CTC training moves to Rothesay. It consists of one Officer (Lt A E Ross, MG Company) and 20 Other Ranks from MG Company and 21 Other Ranks from Mortar Company. They are going by rail from Johnstone to Wemyss Bay, thence by LCT to Rothesay.
16 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
Third day of move. Stage at Lutterworth.
17 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
Arrive at Worlingham Hall, Beccles.
18 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
The Commanding Officer, back from leave, visits “A” Group. Battalion HQ settling in.
“A” Group – Corton.
Group Rear Party arrived from “B” Camp, JOHNSTONE.
“B” Group – Lake Ascog, Buteshire.
One Platoon of Mortars and one of MG Company carry out a Field Firing Exercise, during which they are on land for two hours only. They fired 120 rounds HE and 24 belts respectively.
At Johnstone, the Brigade Major of 147 Infantry Brigade visits the Group.
“C” Group – Benacre.
Officers Part II Orders – Major R G Bare promoted Paid Acting Major and provisionally granted rank of Temporary Major with effect from 11 November 1943.
19 December 1943 - Bn HQ
Captain Blakely, who came on the Advance Party, goes on leave.
The weather is warmer and it rained quite hard today.
“B” Group – Rothesay.
NCOs briefed for Exercise “Millhouse” at the Norman Stewart Institute. MRP Code is explained to them at the same time.
Group Commander goes to Tighnabruich for recce work with 6DWR and stays to see Exercise “Millhouse”.
20 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
The Adjutant, Captain Hunt, goes on leave.
“B” Group – Rothesay.
Exercise “Millhouse”: one Platoon Mortars and one MG under command 11RSF. A Mortar OP 22 Set is manhandled 1 ¼ miles.
21 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
Major Pinks, Second in Command, arrived from Scotland. He went to visit those Platoons of “B” Group who are now at Rothesay. He remarked how the administrative work there in preparing for an exercise far outweighed the value gained from it.
One Platoon who were to fire in an exercise had Reveille at 05:00 hours and returned to its billets at 18:00 hours after having been in action for less than four hours.
“B” Group – Rothesay.
Conference on Exercise “Millhouse”. Lessons brought out were:-
(i) Mortars – Need for revision of Netting Drill. (ii) MG – Infantry Commanders do not give MG Platoons sufficient time to get into action.
22 December 1943
“B” Group – Rothesay.
Captain Stanyer and Lt Ross return to Johnstone.
23 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
The Commanding Officer visits Divisional HQ.
Captain Attrill gained a “D” (distinction) on a 20mm Course at Hythe which was held from 15th to 27th November.
24 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
Sgt Hutchins gained a “D” on a 20mm Course at Hythe from 22nd November to 4th December.
“A” Group held a Christmas Eve Dance in their NAAFI to which the Commanding Officer was invited.
“B” Group – Rothesay.
Main Body returns to Johnstone.
19:30 hours. All ranks Christmas Dance in Camp is a great success. 25 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
Christmas Day. Battalion HQ and the three Groups all arranged games and sports to be held today and luckily it was a fine day.
The Commanding Officer and Major Pinks visited “A” and “C” Groups at dinner time returning to have their own dinner with Battalion HQ. The Commanding Officer sent a message of good wishes to “B” Group, which was read out to the Officers and men at dinner time. “A” Group – Corton.
Lieut-Colonel D V G Brock, the Battalion Commander, visited the mens’ Christmas dinners. In the afternoon the Group XI beat “C” Group at Association Football. Score 4 – 0.
“B” Group – Johnstone.
Christmas Day. Group Commander remits sentences of C.B. (Confined to Barracks).
11:15 hours. Church Parade at St John’s Episcopal Church of Scotland.
Officers and Sergeants serve the men at dinner. Group Commander reads message from C.O. and wishes the Group good fortune in the years to come.
26 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
“A” and “C” groups played a game of soccer which was won by “A” Group after an exciting game.
“B” Group – Johnstone.
11:30 hours. A day off. The Sergeants visit the Officers’ Mess. Officers and Sergeants have their Christmas dinner today.
19:30 hours. Concert and Gala Club dance.
With effect from today Saturday afternoon will be recreational training and Sundays a Group day off.
27 December 1943
“B” Group – Johnstone.
Transport and Advance Parties proceed to Rothesay and Tighnabruich: 2/Lt Thornhill, Mortar Company, i/c.
Captain Stanyer goes to S.A.S. Netheravon for MMG Refresher Course.
Lt D B Wilson, AA Company, to be umpire to 6DWR.
28 December 1943 – Bn HQ
Two Officers have been posted to the Battalion from 160 OCTU. They were the first intake of the Support OCTU at Alton Towers, Staffordshire and have all been trained on A/A, Mortar and M.G.
“B” Group – Johnstone.
Main Body of Support Group party in 6DWR Battalion proceeds to Rothesay under Captain G D Fulcher, OC Mortar Company. Officers, as before, are billeted in hotels and lodgings, Other Ranks in a Camp od small huts.
“C” Group – Benacre.
NAAFI opens for the first time in this Camp.
Recreation Hut opened in Camp.
29 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
Major D’Abo returns from leave.
“B” Group – Kilbride, Ayrshire.
Recce and tour of defences.
“C” Group – Benacre.
Captain L C Hulbert takes over O.C. AA Company with effect from 29 December 1943.
Captain M Palmer takes over 2 i/c MMG Company with effect from 29 December 1943.
30 December 1943 – Bn HQ.
The Adjutant returns from leave. “A” Group – Corton.
Postings – Officers.
The following new Officers joined the Group, being posted from 160 OCTU (Support) Battalions:-
303047 2/Lt Evans L W
303052 2/Lt Hobbs S B
303065 2/Lt Stoltenhoff H W
“B” Group – Kilbride, Ayrshire.
Briefing for Exercise “Blind Man Bay” with cloth models and large scale maps.
Johnstone, Renfrewshire. The following Officers joined the Group, having just passed out of the Support Group OCTU:-
2/Lt B I Green, AA Company.
Lt J Asker, Mortar Company.
2/Lt R A Jennings, Mortar Company.
2/Lt D A Coffey, MG Company.
31 December 1943
“B” Group – Rothesay.
Exercise “Blind Man Bay”. Both Platoons landed on Assault Scales from LCTs. Mortar Platoon took up a position and opened fire. MG Platoon recced a position but exercise finished before they were able to occupy it, as Infantry Company on this flank was held up.
“C” Group – Benacre.
2 i/c takes over Adjutant 29 December 1943.
W/S Lt E G Dudley to be paid Acting Captain with effect from 27 June 1943 and provisionally regranted rank of Temporary Captain.
W/S Lt A A H Fenwick to be paid Acting Captain and provisionally granted rank of Temporary Captain with effect from 16 August 1943.
W/S Lt A R Galt to be paid Acting Captain with effect from 18 November 1943.
2/Lt C D K Peachey, 2/Lt D B Carrad, 2/Lt D Pritchard posted to this Unit.
Battalion HQ.
The three Groups are now brigaded and within half an hour’s drive from Battalion HQ with the exception of “B” Group who are still in Johnstone.
The Commanding Officer is responsible for the training of the Battalion up to Platoon level and all “A” matters and discipline are referred to him. Further training is dealt with by the Brigade Commanders as are all “Q” matters. “B” Group will be arriving in East Anglia early in the New Year.
“C” Group – Benacre.
The period 16 November – 31 December covers the first six weeks when “C” Group came under command of 70 Infantry Brigade, and for the first time had to find its own feet without the guiding hand of Battalion HQ.
Administrative difficulties abounded but by running the Group entirely on Battalion lines they were gradually overcome. Administratively, the main short coming was lack of staff which led to considerable bottle-necks, notably in the Orderly Room and Transport offices.
Shortly previous to this time, a large draft had arrived from the Rifle Brigade and the KRRC. Personnel in this draft were untrained in Support weapons. The training problem therefore was to assimilate these men into the three fighting Companies and at the same time to brush up the individual training and fire control, of men and NCOs who had already had a good grounding in our weapons. The Brigade Commander, realising our difficulties, struck the Group off all outside duties so that individual training could be concentrated on.
A programme was worked out on the D basis and commenced on 13 December 1943. In each Company, trained and untrained men and NCOs had to be separately catered for and until Platoon training commenced it was not possible to amalgamate the programme for the trained and untrained.
Specialists were trained separately under Group arrangements, their cadres being timed to finish so that they would be available for Platoon training with their Companies.
By 31 December 1943 approximately a third of the individual training programme had been carried out.
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
