2nd Battalion, Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment War Diary - June 1942
1 June 1942 Velindre
T.E.W.T. for Officers and NCO’s of F and G Companies. Weather wet and misty.
2 June 1942
Exercise for F and G Companies directed by Captain Ballard. F Company acted as enemy parachutists and G Company attacked them.
3 June 1942
Advance Party of 3rd Battalion Royal Marines arrived to prepare the take-over of our present area. The Sergeants’ Mess gave a very successful dance in Velindre. 2 Kensingtons Operation Instruction No. 3 issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix A (for details see below).
4 June 1942
Weather fine and warm. A large number of the Battalion were on a bathing parade and it is hoped to train all the men in the Battalion to swim.
5 June 1942
Further large bathing parade at Aberporth.
6 June 1942
G Company Advance Party arrived at Penybont.
7 June 1942
F Company moved by road to their new location, a tented Camp near Kington. Quite comfortable.
8 June 1942
Last minute preparations by G and HQ Companies before moving. Lieut S J Davis attached as Liaison Officer at Western Command.
9 June 1942
Last night was spent bivouacked in a field close to the Camp. The Royal Marines arrived at 02:00 hours this morning. HQ Company moved by road to Bryngwyn, Wormelow. One 15cwt truck turned over on a bridge – fortunately there were no casualties.
G Company commenced their move to Penybont by March Route, they hope to arrive on 17th June.
10 June 1942
The Quartermaster returns from Velindre with the Rear Party. Location list No. 5 was issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix B (for details see below).
11 June 1942
G Company arrive at a farm in the midst of the mountains, here they will remain 3 days.
12 June 1942 Bryngwyn, Wormelow.
Appointments – Officers – Lieut W A Blakely (QM) appointed Battalion Messing Officer vice 2/Lt Wightman.
15 June 1942
G Company resume their march across the mountains to Penybont.
17 June 1942
G Company arrive at their Summer Camp.
18 June 1942
F Company took part in a 70th Infantry Brigade Attack Exercise.
20 June 1942
The Commanding Officer carried out a barrack inspection of Headquarter Company.
23 June 1942
49 Div Exercise “Crassus” took place. This was a Signals Exercise and no troops took part. Battalion HQ, HQ Company, F and G Companies were represented.
26 June 1942
2 Kensingtons General Instructions Exercise Drake issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix C (for details see below).
27 June 1942
C.O. attended a cloth model exercise at 49 Division.
28 June 1942
All Officers attended a Lecture by G.S.O.1 49 Division “Combined Operations”. 2 Kensingtons Operation Standing Orders Nos. 1 and 2 issued and attached to the War Diary as Appendix D (for details see below).
29 June 1942
2 Kensingtons Exercise “Drake” began at about 10:00 hours.
30 June 1942
Exercise “Drake” ended 12:30 hours. This was a withdrawal exercise in which all available personnel took part. Lt Cannon went to 49 Div on a staff attachment (A & Q). 2/Lt Nightingale takes over duties of Intelligence Officer in his absence.
Appendices attached to the June 1942 War Diary of 2nd Bn Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment.
Appendix A – Operation Instruction No 3
This document contained the information and instructions concerning the planned move to the Hereford area by the Battalion. Dates, routes and locations were set out together with the composition of Advance Parties, Main Bodies and rear Parties, with details of arrangements for baggage and for handing over Camps, including cleaning. Movement tables - detailing each vehicle - were attached.
Appendix B - Location list No. 5.
This document reflected the movements this month and confirmed that, while E and H Companies remained in Iceland;
Battalion HQ and HQ Company were at BRYNGWYN – ref 91/935513.
F Company at Kington Summer Camp – Lahollan Bridge – 80/723757.
G Company at Penybont Summer Camp – 80/578862.
Appendix C – Exercise “Drake”
All Units of the Battalion were put at 15 minutes notice to move from 08:00 hours 29 June 1942. The General Instructions covered all the usual aspects of rations and feeding, water, fuel, ammunition, dress and communications. A post-exercise Conference was timed for 1 July 1942.
The main aim was to practice the R.O.F.T. system of movement where Units began to deploy while detailed orders were still being issued, together with; the organisation and defence of the HQ, a quick occupation of a defensive position, a withdrawal by night and occupation of a defensive position by night.
Appendix D – Battalion Standing Orders Nos 1 and 2.
Standing Orders No 1
This document concerned the arrangements for setting up, signing and managing the Battalion HQ, manning and organising the “R” and “O” Groups for command purposes including communications, such as the use of Orderlies and Despatch Riders.
Standing Orders No 2
This document sets out the composition of tactical groups and instructed that all Company Commanders were to ensure that troops were familiar with the arrangements. “R” Groups at Company and Platoon level are described in detail and the make-up of the Fighting and QM Groups are set out. The main aim was standardisation and smooth operation as men became familiar with the actions to take when particular Groups were called for.
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