49th Division Provost Company War Diary - May 1941
1 May 1941 Reykjavik.
Icelandic National Holiday – Labour Day. Troops in Reykjavik to be in camp by 21:30 hours on orders of G.o.C.
07:30 hours. RAOC Iceland Force Operation Order No. 1 commences. Moving of guns from Reykjavik to HVAMMSHOLAR, via ARTUN, Alafoss, Saurbaer, HVAMMSVIK. Military police engaged on convoy duties.
14:30 hours. Officer Commanding addressed senior NCOs on security.
2 May 1941
14:30 hours. Demonstration by No. 10 Fire Brigade, attached FORCE PROVOST COMPANY at the camp of the 1st Battalion, THE TYNESIDE SCOTTISH (BLACK WATCH) REGIMENT.
Part I Orders Nos. 70 – 78 issued and filed with the War Diary as Appendix A (which does not seem to have survived in the original file).
Continuation of RAOC Iceland Force Operation Order No. 1.
18:15 hours. Lecture on “The Middle East” by W.O.1 Cook, Army Education Corps.
21:30 hours. JON GEIR JONASSON, an Icelander, arrested by Civil Police for inciting British sailors to fight by making derogatory remarks about the English.
21:45 hours. Large fire in Reykjavik. Seaman’s clothing factory gutted. Military Police and No. 10 Fire Brigade called out. No damage to W.D. property.
3 May 1941
Continuation of RAOC Iceland Force Operation Order No. 1.
10:30 hours. Court of Enquiry held at “MYTCHETT CAMP” to investigate the cause of the injuries received by L/Cpl NEY, CMP, who was attacked by Icelanders on 2st January 1941.
4 May 1941
01:00 hours. Disturbance caused by Norwegian sailors in Reykjavik. Two arrested.
14:00 hours. Military and Civil Police searched the house “SVANASTADIR”, MOSFELLSVEIT belonging to INGOLFUR GISLASON for W.D. property.
15:00 hours. Military Police conducted soldier to Field Security Police HQ. This man had been seen by the M.P. previously in civilian clothes.
Continuation of RAOC Iceland Force Operation Order No. 1.
5 May 1941
Continuation of RAOC Iceland Force Operation Order No. 1.
6 May 1941
18:00 hours. Rear Force HQ closes. Military Police cease duties there.
RAOC Iceland Force Operation Order No. 1 completed.
8 May 1941
Part I Orders 79 – 84 issued.
L/Cpl PAGE CMP embarked for O.C.T.U. in the UK.
10 May 1941
14:00 hours. No. 10 Fire Brigade gave fire-fighting demonstration to civilians (See Part I Order No. 88).
23:30 hours. Disturbance in Reykjavik. Civilians objecting to the arrest of Norwegian sailors.
Police Reserve and Civil Police cleared the streets.
Anniversary of the arrival of first British troops in ICELAND. Some civilians wore black arm bands. Rum issue authorised.
11 May 1941
Part I Orders 85 – 87 issued.
18:00 hours. Norwegian naval police picquet in Reykjavik under NCO i/c Military Police Town Patrol.
12 May 1941
18:00 hours. Military Police detailed for duty at Alafoss in the evening.
13 May 1941
16:00 hours. Icelandic trawler “SVERIR” and Polish ship “PUCK” searched for absentees before sailing for the UK.
14 May 1941
11:30 hours. Leave party arrived back in ICELAND. No absentees.
16:00 hours. Another leave party embarked for the UK. M.P. engaged on gangway and quay etc to prevent unauthorised persons from getting on board. M.P. also engaged on traffic control in the vicinity of the docks.
16 May 1941
16:55 hours. AGUST AANEENSEN, a Norwegian seaman, of “HMS DUCHESSE DE BRABANTE” arrested for 4th time for absence.
Part I Orders 88 – 91 issued and filed with War Diary as Appendix O (which does not seem to have survived in the file).
18 May 1941
16:00 hours. Search of SS AEYLBURN by Field Security Police and Military Police. This ship had sustained damage as a result of enemy action.
22 May 1941
07:30 hours. Military Police engaged on the convoy of aeroplane parts from Reykjavik DOCKS to LAUGARNES. This will continue for approximately one week.
15:30 hours. Court of Enquiry held at “MYTCHETT CAMP” to investigate cause of injuries received by L/Cpl RAVEN, CMP, on 5th April 1941 when he was kicked in the stomach by an Icelander.
26 May 1941
14:00 hours. Officer Commanding accepted as Military Policemen, after probation, seven men from other units in ICELAND.
14:00 hours. CMP leave party embarked for UK. Military Police engaged on usual dock duties for leave parties, gangways, quays, traffic control etc.
27 May 1941
06:30 hours. Courier letter service to AKUREYRI re-commenced. Military Police escorting official mail to BORGARNES by boat and then by ‘bus to AKUREYRI.
Part I Orders 92 – 102 issued and filed as Appendix E in the War Diary. The Appendix, like so many others of this type, does not seem to have survived in the file.
30 May 1941
21:00 hours. Faroese labourers arrived in Reykjavik.
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 and investigating and taking all details of traffic accidents. Searching of incoming and outgoing ships in conjunction with Field Security Police. Apprehension of absentees of all services. Week end town patrol at Hafnafjordur and evening and afternoon patrol of 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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