49th Division Provost Company War Diary - September 1941
1 September 1941 Iceland, Reykjavik.
15:00 hours. Lieut C H McLaglan and 4 NCOs left for Hvalfjordur and Borganes – Blonduos area by road, using two 15cwt trucks and 1 motor cycle, to carry out reconnaissance of roads and the laying down of signs preparatory to the move of the 1/5th West Yorks from Hvalfjordur to Blonduos area and 12th Worcesters from Blonduos to Hvalfjordur.
2 September 1941
13:00 hours. Two NCOs returned from Hvalfjordur area reporting reconnaissance and signing of roads completed.
18:00 hours. Sub-Section consisting of one Corporal and 8 Lance Corporals left HQ complete with 15cwt truck, bedding, blankets etc for Hvitanes, HQ of Hvalfjordur area, to remain in that area until move completed.
Sub-Section consisting of 1 Corporal and 4 Lance Corporals left HQ complete with 15cwt truck etc for Derwent Camp, Borganes, HQ of Blonduos – Borganes area to contact Lt McLaglan and remain in that area until move completed.
Owing to continuous rain, roads which are normally in a poor condition became very bad and dangerous in parts, especially in the mountain area around Hvalfjordur and necessary warning signs were erected at danger spots and sections of road under repair.
3 September 1941
Company Part I Orders Nos. 226 to 229 issued and included in Appendix A (which has not survived in the original file).
7 September 1941
Company Part I Orders Nos. 230 to 234 issued and included in Appendix A.
9 September 1941
CMP details disembarked after 21 days leave in the UK.
Reinforcements consisting of 6 Lance Corporals arrived at Reykjavik from 1st Depot and Training Establishment, Mytchett, and joined the Company.
Company Part I Orders Nos. 235 to 238 issued and included in Appendix A.
10 September 1941
New leave party embarked on SS Leopoldville for England.
M.P. escort provided for the move of German Prisoners of War from the Military Prison and Detention Barracks and 50th General Hospital to the SS Leopoldville sailing for UK.
These Prisoners of War were referred to in the War Diary for August 1941.
13 September 1941
Company Part I Orders Nos. 239 to 242 issued and included in Appendix A.
16 September 1941
08:00 hours. Lt McLaglan and 6 NCOs left to carry out reconnaissance of Field Firing Area for forthcoming Force Exercise No.9.
Reconnaissance from Gunnarsholm Farm carried out on ponies, as condition of roads, tracks and ground in Firing Area made M.T. useless.
10:00 hours. Company Part I Orders Nos. 243 to 249 issued and included in Appendix A.
14:00 hours. M.P. engaged in traffic control, Docks security and signing of roads to Military Camps in Reykjavik Area during the unloading of USA Transports and Store Ships which arrived in Reykjavik Harbour approx. 02:00 hours. This work was carried out in conjunction with the USMC Provost Marshal and his Provost Staff.
17 September 1941
08:00 hours. Field Firing Exercise in Gunnarsholm and Sanskeid area. Sub-Section Military Police engaged in clearing area of civilian inhabitants, car parking and traffic control.
18 September 1941
11:00 hours. Conference between Major P C Wardle, DAPM, Captain W M J Carruthers – Officer Commanding Company and Lt Col Kilcarie, Provost Marshal of the US Army who arrived at Reykjavik on the 16th September with additional US Provost personnel.
19 September 1941
12:00 hours. Personnel of the Force Provost Company, Transport and Offices and Barrack Rooms at Mytchett Camp, Myrargata, Reykjavik, inspected by Major General H O Curtis C.B., D.S.O., M.C. G.o.C. Iceland ( C) Force.
20 September 1941
10:00 hours. Company Part I Orders Nos. 250 to 256 issued and included in Appendix A.
21 September 1941
10:00 hours. Company Part I Orders Nos. 257 to 259 issued and included in Appendix A.
11:00 hours. Leave party arrived from England on the SS Bergensfjord and new party embarked for 21 days leave.
Military Police escort provided for the removal of 8 German Prisoners of War from the Military Prison and Detention Barracks to the SS Bergensfjord.
26 September 1941
10:00 hours. Company Part I Orders Nos. 260 to 265 issued and included in Appendix A (document did not survive in the original file).
To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.
