2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - July 1943
2 July 1943
“F” Group move to training area Ystradfellte for five days field firing exercise for all weapons. “H” Group returns.
2/Lieut V de P C Johnson posted to this Unit.
4 July 1943
The Battalion held its sports trials at the RAF Athletic Field, St Athan, in preparation for the coming Divisional Sports Meeting.
5 July 1943
2/Lieut W Ward posted to this Unit.
6 July 1943
Battalion HQ began Exercise “Arthur” – this is a practice in their role as HQ of the Admin. Group.
7 July 1943
A/Captain Greville posted from this Unit to 160 OCTU.
8 July 1943
A talk on Security is given by Major R E N D’Abo. Films on Security were shown afterwards.
Exercise “Arthur” ends.
2/Lieut J T Griffiths posted to this Unit.
9 July 1943
Lieut R F Green posted to this Unit.
10 July 1943
The Battalion attends a smoke demonstration given by Artillery and Infantry weapons at Sennybridge. The smoke screen laid by the 4.2” Mortar Platoon of this Unit merited the congratulation it was given by the General Officer Commanding 49th Division. This, the first tryout of the heavy mortars as a smoke laying weapon was a huge success. Because of bad weather the RAF could not demonstrate their smoke screens but it was found that the 4.2” Mortar Platoon could lay a smoke screen that was adequate to replace any screen that the RAF would, in future, be unable to lay.
12 July 1943
The Battalion took part in a five-day skeleton Signal Exercise “Contact” in which the whole Division participated. This was the first time the Battalion had performed their new Support role and much valuable information was learned.
78 Drivers proceed on Course No.3 at the Combined Operations Training Centre, Castle Toward, Rothesay.
16 July 1943
Exercise “Contact” ends.
19 July 1943
W/S Lieut T M Tyer posted to this Unit.
20 July 1943
The Advance Party for Exercise “Overdo” (i.e. move of Battalion to previous locations in Scotland) leaves.
21 July 1943
The excellent Carrier films shown last month were shown again today because of the many requests.
The Commanding Officer left for Scotland.
3 Drivers proceeded on Course No.4 at the Combined Operations Training Centre, Castle Toward, Rothesay.
22 July 1943
Pte Carver P came 4th out of a field of 84 in the Divisional Motor Cycle Championship.
23 July 1943
2/Lieuts Tees and Thornhill posted to this Unit on being commissioned.
25 July 1943
The Battalion begins Exercise “Overdo” (i.e. move of Battalion to previous locations in Scotland). The Battalion bivouacs at the Wellington Staging Camp, Shropshire. At night, the troops were allowed to walk out.
26 July 1943
The Battalion moves from Wellington to Preston and bivouacs the night at Preston Staging Camp. The troops were allowed out in Preston after duty.
27 July 1943
The Battalion arrives at Carlisle and bivouacked there. It rained hard in the night.
28 July 1943
The Battalion arrived at the new locations i.e.
Battalion HQ and “B” Group – Callander, Perthshire.
“A” Group – Inveradoch House, Doune.
“C” Group – Newstead House, E. Deanston.
at approximately 16:00 hours.
During the move today the rumour that Italy had asked for Armistice Terms was encountered everywhere.
29 July 1943
From today, “H” Group, “E” Group, “F” group are to be known as “A” Group, “B” Group and “C” Group respectively.
Transportless days in Scottish Command are Tuesday and Friday.
Respirators are to be worn by all ranks from 10:00 to 10:30 hours on the first Monday in every month.
The Battalion settles in to new billets.
30 July 1943
The Battalion completes general cleaning of new billets.
Combined Operations training ends.
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