2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - July 1942
1 July 1942 Bryngwyn, Wormelow.
Conference on Exercise “Drake”. C.O. expressed satisfaction with much of the Exercise, particularly the part involving road movement, much of which took place by night.
There was a further lecture for Officers on “Combined Operations” at 49 Div.
2 – 3 July 1942
49 Division Exercise “Equator” took place. F and G Companies took part. C.O. and Major Worton umpired.
4 July 1942
Conferences on “Equator” Exercise.
6 July 1942
Lecture, Film and Demonstration on the German Armoured Division, Parachute and Airborne troops.
7 July 1942
2 Kensingtons Exercise “Nelson” for Battalion HQ and HQ Company took place. This was an exercise tp practice the R.O.F.T. system and the layout and protection of Battalion HQ.
9 July 1942
Lecture to HQ Company by C.O. on “Economy”.
10 July 1942
2 Kensingtons Exercise “Hawke” took place. Battalion HQ, HQ Company and F Company took part. “R.O.F.T.” system practiced.
11 July 1942
HQ Company fire Rifle and throw grenades.
12 July 1942
Packing.
13 July 1942
Move by road of Battalion HQ and HQ Company to Llwyn Barried, Nantmel near Rhayader, Radnorshire, a distance by road of about 40 miles from Bryngwyn. Convoy started 09:00 hours and arrived 13:00 hours approximately.
We are now not far from Penybont where 147 Brigade with G Company is located. All Battalion HQ and HQ Company are now under canvas. All is well but there are alarming stories in circulation about bad weather and heavy rainfall in this particular part of Wales.
We are rather isolated here and entertainment for the men in their leisure time is likely to be a problem.
17 July 1942 Llwyn Barried, Radnorshire.
2 Kensingtons Location List No 6 issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix A. (For details see below).
18 July 1942
General Instruction on 49 Div Exercise “Frisk” issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix B. (For details see below).
20 – 22 July 1942
49 Division Exercise “Frisk” takes place, starting at 09:00 hours on 20th and ending at 15:00 hours on 22nd. All troops took part, acting as enemy in conjunction with 1st Tyneside Scottish. “F” and “g” Companies represented 4 Machine-Gun Companies. There was some rain in the latter stages of the Exercise.
On the 21st a Field General Court Martial assembled at this Camp to try the case of C.S.M.Taylor R.H. of HQ Company.
23 July 1942
Captain D A Thomas proceeded on a Course at GHQ Battle School (probably Barnard Castle).
Weather wet.
25 – 27 July 1942
49 Div Exercise “George” took place starting at 19:00 hours. Battalion HQ, F and G Companies took part with 101 Royal Marine Brigade acting as enemy. The object of this exercise was to practice the Division in the crossing of a river obstacle. There was a considerable rainfall on the night 26/27th but the exercise concluded at 16:00 hours in fine weather.
The Battalion had further useful practice in road convoy work, the total distance covered being approximately 150 miles.
29 July 1942
The Commanding Officer and 2nd in command attended a Conference on Exercise “George” at Divisional HQ.
30 – 31 July 1942
Weather extremely wet.
Appendices attached to the July 1942 War Diary of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment.
Appendix A – Location List 6.
E and H Companies remained in Iceland.
Otherwise the List reflected the recent moves, with Battalion HQ and HQ Company located at Llwyn-Barried, Nantmel, Rhyader, Radnorshire – map reference 79/474873.
F Company remained at Kington Summer Camp – 80/723757.
G Company remained at Penybont Summer Camp – 80/578862.
Appendix B – 49 Division Exercise “Frisk” – General Instructions.
This document set out how the two Machine-Gun Companies would be divided so as to represent double their strength and covered the usual administrative aspects of rations, fuel, communications, movement tables, dress and ammunition. The movement table was set out on a separate sheet.
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