507th Field Company, Royal Engineers War Diary October 1939
1 October 1939 – Sunderland
09:30 hours. Company Parade.
10:00 hours. Drum Head Service given by (name of padre not stated).
10:45 hours. Leave to all except Duty men and Guard.
23:00 hours. Lights out.
2 October 1939 - Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal works and Training Programme.
09:30 hours. 2/Lt Davison and Party at Dykelands Road, 125 Regiment 294 Battery and finished Passive Air Defence work. Colonel Dean requested further work to be done on Latrines and Ablution Benches but we withdrew 2/Lt Davison and Party and requested Colonel Dean to apply to Commander Royal Engineers for the work to be done.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
3 October 1939 - Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal works and Training Programme.
14:30 hours. Sgt Laidler left for ? near ? Northern Command Gas School on a Course of Instruction. Sent by road.
23:00 hours. Lights out.
4 October 1939 - Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal works and Training Programme.
14:10 hours. Telegram from Commander Royal Engineers to Major Cameron for one Officer and NCO to reconnoitre at 2nd East Riding Yeomanry – 107 Walton Street, Hull for ablution benches for 400 men.
14:35 hours. Major Cameron left for GHQ to inspect work being done by 2/Lt Miller and Party.
15:00 hours. 2/Lt Davison left for 2nd East Riding Yeomanry, 107 Walton Street, Hull.
19:00 hours. Major Cameron returned from GHQ Darlington.
23:00 hours. Lights out.
5 October 1939 - Sunderland
08:00 hours. Work and Normal Training Programme.
08:50 hours. Major Cameron with CSM Urwin left for 508 Field Park Company R.E. for demolition lecture.
11:20 hours. 2/Lt Davison phoned from Hull re position and report of work being carried out by civilian contractors.
13:30 hours. Major Cameron and CSM returned from lecture.
16:05 hours. 2/Lt Blench phoned 2nd East Riding Yeomanry at Hull to tell 2/Lt Davison to return to Company HQ.
17:30 hours. Major Cameron left by W.D. for Commander Royal Engineers 23rd Division HQ.
19:50 hours. 2/Lt Davison and Party returned from Hull.
23:00 hours. All Lights Out.
6 October 1939 - Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
09:00 hours. Authority from Commander Royal Engineers to construct 6-seat latrine for 125 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery at Seaburn Concert Hall.
Order from Commander Royal Engineers to transfer 4260977 Sgt P Hardy and 18 NCOs and men to 506 Field Company Royal Engineers. Party to proceed by rail to Stockton and thence by road to Yarm.
11:00 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs left Company HQ to reconnoitre site for seat latrines at Seaburn Concert Hall.
14:00 hours. Work commenced on seat latrines, five in number only owing to exigencies of site.
16:00 hours. Company Pay Parade.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
7 October 1939 - Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
10:00 hours. Sgt Hardy, 15 NCOs and men left, under 2/Lt Davison for Sunderland Station, to entrain for Stockton.
11:15 hours. 2/Lt Davison returned and reported Party left.
12:00 hours. One NCO and four men left Company HQ for Briarmede, thence to proceed to York for M.T. Driver Training.
13:30 hours. Rugby football team left to play at Houghton. Result was Houghton Rugby Football Club eleven points, 507 Field Company NIL.
14:00 hours. Remainder of Company on Route March and Football Practice.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
8 October 1939 - Sunderland
09:00 hours. Company Parade and inspection by Major K McK Cameron, Officer Commanding.
09:30 hours. Company proceeded to Church at Bishopwearmouth under 2/Lt E R Blench.
10:15 hours. Major Cameron left Company HQ for 506 Field Company Royal Engineers at Yarm, along with 1 NCO and 2 men – the remainder of the Party transferred to 506.
12:00 hours. Church Parade returned and dismissed. Leave to all.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
9 October 1939 - Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Normal Training Programme.
11:00 hours. Telephone message from Commander Royal Engineers for Party to proceed to Hull for making ablutions bench and Latrines.
11:25 hours. Telephone message for 2 Officers and 2 NCOs to report to 23rd Divisional HQ Royal Engineers for a demolition instruction.
14:20 hours. Telephone message from Commander Royal Engineers for an Officer to reconnoitre for 10th DLI at Darlington. Westholme, Staindrop Road for Billeting and Ablution bench and Latrines.
18:00 hours. Works finished for the day.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
10 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Normal Programme.
08:10 hours. 2/Lt Davison left 507 Company HQ for 2nd East Riding Yeomanry, 107 Walton Street, Hull.
08:30 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs and 2/Lt Miller left for 23rd Divisional Royal Engineers. Commander Royal Engineers for Demolitions instruction. To proceed to ?
09:00 hours. Major Cameron left for Commander Royal Engineers, 23rd Division Royal Engineers.
10:00 hours. 2/Lt Blench left for 10th DLI, Westholme, Staindrop Road, Darlington on reconnaissance for Billeting and Ablutions ?
13:20 hours. Captain Eastbourne and CSM Aldous from 505 Field Company R.E. called.
13:50 hours. Captain Eastbourne and CSM Aldous from 505 Field Company R.E. left.
13:55 hours. Lt Blench phoned up from Darlington reporting reconnaissance complete.
16:00 hours. Lt Blench returned to 507 Field Company HQ.
16:15 hours. Major Cameron returned from Commander Royal Engineers, 23rd Division R.E.
20:40 hours. 2/Lt Miller and 2/Lt Shirrefs returned from Demolition instruction party.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
11 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Training Programme Normal.
09:30 hours. Major Cameron left for Commander Royal Engineers, 23rd Divisional HQ.
13:00 hours. 2/Lt Miller and Party of 14 NCOs and men left for Westholme, Staindrop Road, Darlington on Ablution bench and Latrines with work on plumbing.
15:00 hours. Major Cameron returned to 507 Field Company HQ.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
12 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
2/Lt Blench on leave.
13 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
09:00 hours. Major Cameron and CSM Urwin and CQMS Smith left for 235 Field Park to collect stores.
12:00 hours. Part of the F.B.E. arrived from HQ 23rd Division.
12:15 hours. New Company W.D. Car a Morris 8 H.P.
16:00 hours. Second lot of F.B.E. arrived from HQ 23rd Division.
17:00 hours. Mr Shirrefs on leave.
19:05 hours. Major Cameron, CSM Urwin and CQMS Smith return to 507 HQ.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
14 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Training Programme.
08:00 hours. CQMS Smith returned to 235 Field Park for stores.
10:15 hours. Last lot of F.B.E. arrived. (This is thought to be Field Bridging Equipment).
11:15 hours. CQMS Smith returned to Company HQ.
13:45 hours. 507 Field Company left to play 125 Regiment at Football and lost 9 – 2.
14:00 hours. 507 Field Company left to play Sunderland Rovers at Rugby and lost 6 points to NIL.
16:00 hours. Both the Rugby and Football teams arrived back at HQ.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
15 October 1939 – Sunderland
09:00 hours. Company Parade.
09:45 hours. Church Parade at Bishopwearmouth Church left HQ.
10:30 hours. Arrived at Bishopwearmouth Church.
12:15 hours. Returned from Church and Company dismissed for the day.
14:30 hours. Major Cameron left for 233 Field Company for Audit Board of Company.
17:00 Major Cameron retuned to 507 Field Company HQ.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
16 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
08:20 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs and L/Cpl Little W T left for 12th DLI at Victoria Schools, Gateshead, to reconnoitre for Ablution bench and Latrines.
09:45 hours. 2/Lt Miller left with Sgt Ward for work at 70th Brigade HQ on Passive Air Defence at Chester-le-Street after taking over from Lt Osborne of 233 Field Company at Jarrow, as arranged by Telegram and message from 23rd Division Commander Royal Engineers (see below for details).
10:15 hours. One NCO and ten men left to report to 2/Lt Shirrefs at Victoria Schools, Gateshead.
12:50 hours. Commander Royal Engineers and 2/Lt Edgar arrived, 2/Lt Edgar reported for duty at this Company.
14:40 hours. 2/Lt Miller with 2 NCOs and 3 men left with petrol pump to drain trenches at Chester-le-Street.
15:00 hours. Commander Royal Engineers left Company HQ after seeing training on demolition.
17:45 hours. 2/Lt Miller with Party returned.
18:40 hours. Mr Shirrefs and Party returned.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
17 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
08:10 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs left with NCO and men for Victoria Road Schools, Gateshead.
10:25 hours. 2/Lt Miller left with NCO and men for Lambton Castle.
13:50 hours. Air Raid Warning.
15:00 hours. 2/Lt Davison returned from 2nd East Riding Yeomanry at Hull.
15:30 hours. “All Clear” sounded.
15:45 hours. 2/Lt Davison left for Commander Royal Engineers at 23rd Division – posted there for duty.
17:15 hours. 2/Lt Miller and Party returned.
18:00 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs and Party returned.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
18 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
08:10 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs left with Party of NCOs and men for Victoria Road Schools, Gateshead to continue works for 12th Bn (Tyneside Scottish) DLI.
09:00 hours. 2/Lt Miller and Party left for Lambton Castle to continue works.
13:00 hours. Major Cameron left Company HQ.
16:00 hours. 2/Lt Miller returned with Party.
19:20 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs returned with Party.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
19 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
08:25 hours. 2/Lt Miller left with Party for Lambton Castle, 70th Brigade, DLI.
2/Lt Shirrefs left with Party for Alexandra Road Schools, Gateshead, to do works for 12th Bn (Tyneside Scottish) DLI.
12:04 hours. Telephone message from Commander Royal Engineers.
12:25 hours. Major Cameron returned from 506 Field Company at Yarm.
18:00 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs returned after completing works for 12th Bn (Tyneside Scottish) DLI.
2/Lt Miller returned from Lambton Castle.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
20 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
08:50 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs left for Darlington for work on billets of 10th Bn DLI, Westholme, Staindrop Road and work at “Uplands”.
09:00 hours. 2/Lt Miller left for 70th Brigade DLI at Chester-le-Street.
17:30 hours. 2/Lt Miller returned.
18:00 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs returned.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
21 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
08:30 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs left with Party for Darlington.
08:40 hours. 2/Lt Miller left with 2 NCOs and 2 men for inspection of jobs.
17:00 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs returned from Darlington.
17:20 hours. 2/Lt Miller returned with 2 NCOs and men from inspection of jobs.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
22 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:30 hours. Parade.
15:30 hours. 2/Lt Edgar returned from leave.
16:45 hours. Major Cameron returned to Company HQ from leave.
17:00 hours. Mr Frank E Franks arrived with all the Company to entertain the Company.
19:00 hours. Lt Col Kennedy with Adjutant and Dr Jacques arrived for Concert.
19:05 hours. Mr E Steel and Mr Kearton with Mr Clarkson and Flt Lt Pike, Mr Welsh and remainder of guests.
21:00 hours. Concert finished.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
23 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
08:30 hours. Mr Shirrefs and Party of NCOs for Passive Air Defence work at 23rd Division HQ Darlington – “Uplands”, Carmel Road.
Mr Miller and Party of NCOs and men for Passive Air Defence work at 70th Brigade DLI at Chester-le-Street.
17:00 hours. Mr Shirrefs and Party returned to Company HQ.
17:20 hours. Mr Miller and Party returned to Company HQ.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
24 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Training Programme Normal.
08:20 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs and Party of NCOs and men for Passive Air Defence work at 23rd Division HQ Darlington.
Sgt Ward and NCOs and men for 70th Brigade DLI at Chester-le-Street for Passive Air Defence work.
12:05 hours. Lt Col Kennedy and Adjutant of 23rd Division HQ Royal Engineers inspected Camp and phoned telegram to Command Paymaster re Officers’ pay.
16:30 hours. Lt Col Kennedy and Adjutant left Company HQ.
17:30 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs and Party and Sgt Ward’s Party return to Company HQ from Passive Air Defence works.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
25 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
08:35 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs left for 23rd Divisional HQ Darlington Passive Air Defence with Party of NCOs and men.
09:00 hours. NCO and 1 man to 125 Regiment, Dykelands Road, for pumping arrangements.
13:30 hours. L/Cpl Little T T reported at 125 Regiment at Dykelands Road re Cookhouse ventilation.
15:05 hours. Major Cameron with 2/Lt Miller left to see Brigadier General Kirkup at Chester-le-Street re Passive Air Defence for 70th Brigade DLI.
16:00 hours. NCO and 1 man returned to Company HQ from Dykelands.
16:15 hours. Major Cameron and 2/Lt Miller returned.
16:30 hours. L/Cpl Little T T reported back.
17:45 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs returned to Company HQ.
18:30 hours. Lt Blench on leave.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
26 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Normal Training Programme.
Sgt Ward and ten men to Chester-le-Street on Passive Air Defence work for 70th Brigade.
88 days since embodiment, no pay whatever has been received by myself, 2/Lt Blench or 2/Lt Miller. Strong action is being taken by Commander Royal Engineers once more.
1 NCO and 2 men to Dykelands Road to fix ventilation on Cookhouse for 125 Field Regiment.
14:00 hours. Report by Captain Pritchard (Regimental Padre) to arrange a cinema show.
Weather cold and first snow today.
16:30 hours. 2/Lt Blench returned from leave.
Bluff Cooker arrived and giving good service.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
27 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Normal Training Programme.
08:20 hours. Sgt Ward and 11 NCOs and men for Passive Air Defence work at Chester-le-Street for 70th Brigade HQ.
11:30 hours. Mr Spencer, D.C.A. arrived to inspect Drill Hall and left one hour later.
14:00 hours. L/Cpl Little W T left with Party of 4 men to erect Cookhouse at Chester Road Schools for 11th Bn DLI.
15:30 hours. Col Appleyard and Commander Royal Engineers arrived to inspect Company routine training.
17:30 hours. Col Appleyard and Commander Royal Engineers left.
18:00 hours Pay Parade.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
28 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:30 hours. Works and Normal Training Programme.
09:00 hours. L/Cpl Little W T and Party left for Chester Road Schools . 14:00 hours. Rugby XV left to play Sunderland Rovers – result R.E’s 4 S.R. 3.
14:15 hours. Football XI left to play 125th Regiment Royal Artillery – result R.E’s 10 R.A. 0.
17:00 hours. L/Cpl Little and Party returned – works complete.
17:10 hours. Rugby XV and Football XI returned to Camp.
18:50 hours. Captain Trail of 70th Brigade HQ rang up. (See below for details).
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
29 October 1939 – Sunderland
09:00 hours. Parade.
09:30 hours. 2/Lt G Smith, Adjutant, rang up to confine all troops to Barracks.
13:00 hours. Commander Royal Engineers phoned for all troops in Barracks.
13:30 hours. Commander Royal Engineers order written through.
15:00 hours. Company Parade.
16:00 hours. All men reported back to Barracks.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
30 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Training Programme Normal.
09:00 hours. Ration lorry left.
09:25 hours. NCOs left for 70th Brigade HQ on Passive Air Defence.
11:00 hours. Mr Shirrefs left for reconnaissance on Chester Road Schools and Londonderry Drill Hall for 12th DLI on Engineering Services.
15:45 hours. Mr Shirrefs returned from reconnaissance.
17:10 hours. NCO and men returned from Chester Road Schools and Londonderry Drill Hall.
17:20 hours. NCO and men returned from 70th Brigade HQ.
19:00 hours. Cinema show by Captain Pritchard.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
31 October 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Training Programme Normal.
Wire despatched to Lloyds Bank for London by Order Commander Royal Engineers, 23rd Division HQ.
09:00 hours. NCO and men from Section 3 to 70th Brigade HQ on Passive Air Defence work.
09:30 hours. NCO and men left for Chester Road Schools and Londonderry Drill Hall.
09:35 hours. Ration lorry left.
09:40 hours. 2/Lt Miller left for reconnaissance for 10th DLI at Bishop Auckland.
09:45 hours. 65 NCOs and men left for Hendon Baths.
10:45 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs left for Chester Road Schools and Londonderry Drill Hall to inspect work.
11:00 hours. Major Cameron left for 125 Regiment to see Colonel Dean for Passive Air Defence.
12:45 hours. Major Cameron returned to Company HQ.
13:00 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs returned to Company HQ.
14:15 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs for 23rd Divisional HQ Darlington.
15:45 hours. 2/Lt Miller returned from 10th DLI Bishop Auckland.
18:00 hours. 2/Lt Shirrefs returned from 23rd Divisional HQ Darlington.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
Appendices attached to the October War Diary of the 507th Field Company, Royal Engineers.
Appendix A – Page 1
This document is a typed version of a telephone message from the Divisional Adjutant on 6th October giving movement instructions for the Motor Transport Party to travel to York.
Appendix A – Page 2
This is a message form dated 15th October instructing the Officer Commanding the Company to arrange a relief for Lt Osborne in respect of the work at 70th Brigade HQ.
Appendix A – Page 3
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections for 17th October. It is signed by 2/Lt E R Blench.
Appendix A – Page 4
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections – probably for for 18th October – the printing is unclear. It is signed by 2/Lt E R Blench.
Appendix A – Page 5
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections for 19th October. It is signed by 2/Lt E R Blench.
The schedule includes Weapon Training – and specifically includes the Bren and Lewis Light Machine Guns and the Boys Anti-Tank Rifle.
Appendix A – Page 6
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections for 20th October. It is signed by 2/Lt E R Blench.
Appendix A – Page 7
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections – probably for 21st October – the document is a poor copy. It is signed by 2/Lt E R Blench.
Appendix A – Page 8
This is a Message Form addressed to the Command Paymaster at York referring to earlier correspondence and emphasising that the Officers concerned have still not been paid.
Appendix A – Page 9
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections for 23rd October. It is signed by 2/Lt E R Blench.
Appendix A – Page 10
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections for 24th October. It is signed by 2/Lt E R Blench.
The work schedule for this particular day covers PT, Weapon Training and Anti-Tank work as well as tests.
Appendix A – Page 11
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections for 25th October. It is signed by 2/Lt E R Blench.
Appendix A – Page 12
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections for 26th October. It is signed by 2/Lt E R Blench.
Appendix A – Page 13
This is the Works Table for each of the three Sections for 27th October. It is signed by 2/Lt Shirrefs.
Appendix A – Page 14
This is a typed transcript of a telephone call from Captain Trail – Staff Captain at 70th Brigade HQ seeking information on some works in progress and seeking assistance with some small works tasks.
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