49th Division Provost Company War Diary - June 1941

1 June 1941 ICELAND, Reykjavik.

Drunken Norwegian sailor dressed in civilian clothes caused disturbance in Hotel Hekla inciting soldiers to fight. Military Police called and Norwegian eventually arrested by Civil Police.

4 June 1941

13:30 hours. New RAF aerodrome at Reykjavik officially opened. M.P. on traffic control and car parking etc.

6 June 1941

4 M.P. left Reykjavik in SS Tordenskjold with Field Security Police, Doctors and Nurses (RAMC) and Infantry to raid ISAFJORDUR, small town in Northern Iceland to round up Germans and 5th Columnists. Returned in 4 days with 8 prisoners who were immediately put on a boat leaving for England.

9 June 1941

11:00 hours. Leave party returned from England. New party (including D.A.P.M.) left on returning boat. Captain G W Watson, Royal Artillery, assumed temporary appointment of Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal in absence of Captain P C Wardle.

12 June 1941

Company Part I Orders Nos. 103 – 110 issued and filed with the War Diary as Appendix A (this document did not survive to be included in the original file).

Celebration for King’s Birthday – Rum issue.

M.P. engaged at Stadium, Reykjavik, for King’s Birthday Parade and March Past (morning) and later at International Football Match. England vs Scotland.

16 June 1941

M.P. in conjunction with Field Security Police searched the SS Empire Energy for absentees, uncensored mail etc.

17 June 1941

M.P. on duty at Alafoss ROAD, during testing of new A.F.V. Blocks by Gren Gun Carriers.

18 June 1941

4 M.P. left HQ for Alafoss to control traffic during road and bridge reconstructions. Away 14 days.

20 June 1941

M.P. on duty at Refugee Control Exercise.

21 June 1941

Company Part I Orders Nos. 111 to 115 issued and filed with Appendix A to the War Diary (the Appendix has not survived in the original file).

23 June 1941

Leave party arrived from the UK.

24 June 1941

New leave party embarked on HMT Royal Ulsterman for England.

Officer Commanding, Captain M C Topham, embarked on HMT Royal Scotsman for England.

Captain G W Watson, Royal Artillery, assumed temporary appointment of Officer Commanding.

29 June 1941

German Prisoners of War disembarked at Reykjavik off Royal Naval boat. Military Police escort. Prisoners escorted to Iceland ( C) Force Detention Barracks, Laugarnes. 3 M.P. stationed at Detention Barracks as additional guard.

Normal duties carried out throughout the month. Supervision of loading and unloading ships at Reykjavik and Hafnafjordur Docks. Speed patrol on roads in S.W. Sub-Sector and in Reykjavik. Traffic control of W.D. vehicles engaged in conveying lava rock to new aerodrome. Investigation of VD cases, complaints against troops, investigating and taking all details of accidents. Searching of incoming and outgoing ships in conjunction with Field Security Police. Apprehension of absentees of all services. Mail escort to Akureyri. Week-end town patrol at Hafnafjordur and evening patrol at Alafoss. Detachments at Akureyri, Seydisfjordur and Siglufjordur carrying out similar duties. Detachment at Artun carrying out traffic control at Iceland Force HQ and general security and discipline there.

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