507th Field Company, Royal Engineers War Diary September 1939
1 September 1939 – Sunderland
16:55 hours. “CLIVE” received from Commander Royal Engineers 23rd Division by telephone.
18:55 hours. “Notices to join” posted, Officers informed by telephone. All Officers present by 20:00 hours 1/9/1939.
2 September 1939 – Sunderland
Certificate forwarded to War Office giving number of AFE 635 sent out.
Work continued on Passive Air Defence and Sanitary etc. accommodation.
22:00 hours. All men after passing Medical Officer sent home to sleep except Key Party.
I took two Lorries 30 cwt to Ordnance Stores Catterick and returned with accommodation stores.
3 September 1939 – Sunderland
10:00 hours. Returned from Ordnance Stores Catterick with 3 NCOs and 8 men with accommodation stores.
11:00 hours. Telephone message from Commander Royal Engineers 23rd Division that state of war exists as from 11:00 hours (Appendix 1).
Passive Air Defence work accelerated and all leave stopped.
11:15 hours. Civilian Air Raid Warning sounded – Company paraded under Officer in Charge and took cover in Passive Air Defence Shelters.
11:30 hours. All Clear and work resumed.
22:00hours. Local men sent home to sleep.
4 September 1939 – Sunderland
07:30 hours. No Army Respirators yet available. All ranks using civilian gas masks.
Works parade and fatigues.
Informed Commander Royal Engineers by telephone that all men had now reported.
15:15 hours. Paid out embodiment gratuities to Officers.
Informed Adjutant that no cash available at Bank for mens’ gratuities. Writing ? to expedite.
23:00 hours. ? sent.
5 September 1939 – Sunderland
Normal works. Medical ? proceeding.
6 September 1939 – Sunderland
Normal works. Medical ? proceeding.
8 September 1939 – Sunderland
09:30 hours. Request from Commander Royal Artillery re 125 Regiment Royal Field Artillery to assist with splinter-proofing Dykelands Road Drill Hall and Seaburn Camp billets. I reconnoitred the tasks and advised Colonel Dean on requirements.
15:00 hours. I took Lt Blench, 2/Lt Agar, CSM Urwin and Sgts Hardy and Ward and a tracing party of 6 ? ? ?and they proceeded tracing themselves. Royal Artillery provided transport, labour and some tools.
New training programme in operation.
15:00 hours. Sent off the five men transferred to 234 Company.
16:00 hours. Pay parade for Company.
9 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Training and Works Programme. No 1 Section out under 2/Lt Agar doing Passive Air Defence for 2/74th Field Brigade Royal Artillery.
Received orders per telephone from Commander Royal Engineers for 2/Lt Agar to report up to 234 Field Company by tonight.
Written order from Commander Royal Engineers. No work tomorrow.
14:30 hours. Proceeded to 151 Brigade HQ to advise on Passive Air Defence with Sgt Ward. Tracing paper etc.
11:50 hours. 2/Lt Agar left for 234 Field Company after handing kit and job over to 2/Lt Davison.
10 September 1939 – Sunderland
09:30 hours. Leave to all except duties, till midnight.
Commander Royal Engineers called at 12:00 hours.
11 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Sent 2/Lt Miller and a Working Party to 151 Infantry Brigade HQ for Passive Air Defence work. Transport supplied by Infantry.
12 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:30 hours. No 1 Section under Mr Davison continues work at Royal Artillery billets in Seaburn.
No 1 Sub-Section of No 2 Section to 151 Brigade HQ under Mr Miller – Passive Air Defence.
Remainder on duties and Training Programme. Practised Passive Air Defence Drill – 4 minutes to get Company under cover.
13 September 1939 – Sunderland
10:00 hours. Six further Sappers transferred to 234 Company – left by lorry.
Normal works and training.
12:00 hours. Ten Royal Artillery (joiners) working here on A frames for Seaburn job.
13 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal works and Training Programme.
Section under 2/Lt Davison at Seaburn billets.
1 Sub-section at Brigade HQ under 2/Lt Miller. Passive Air Defence.
15 September 1939 – Sunderland
09:30 hours. Visited Brigade HQ and reported job complete at Old Elvet and billet.
Work proceeding at Seaburn.
13:00 hours. Visit by Commander Royal Engineers, Captain Dodds and Captain Jacques also Captain T Nicholson Royal Artillery and Mr ? Steel (lunch).
Passive Air Defence Drill carried out. Not very good. Needs practice.
Sapper Newton (posted as deserter) reported and was arrested. I telephoned Commander Royal Engineers and got orders in the matter.
Newton equipped and set to work – under open arrest.
16 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Work continued on Seaburn billets and Dykelands Road Drill Hall.
Sent Mr Miller to assist Mr Davison on the above work. Royal Artillery labour proving unsatisfactory and badly disciplined.
S/Sgt Huskisson ordered to report for two months special leave (industrial key men).
I received orders from ? to report to Paradise Schools, Northumberland Street, Darlington (at 09:30 hours) to work on staff quarters of 23rd Division – Passive Air Defence.
17 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:15 hours. Major K. MacK Cameron left to do reconnaissance of 23rd Division premises.
11:30 hours. Brevet Colonel Appleyard and Lt Colonel Kennedy inspected Camp and enquired about ? of training equipment.
13:15 hours. Brevet Colonel Appleyard and Lt Colonel Kennedy left Camp.
18:30 hours. Major Cameron phoned up 507 Field Company for 2/Lt Miller to return to Camp re work to be done at 23rd Division Signal HQ.
19:30 hours. Major Cameron returned to 507 Field Company, Royal Engineers, Sunderland.
18 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
09:00 hours. Major K MacK Cameron and 2/Lt Miller left for 23rd Divisional Signals HQ.
12:45 hours. Captain C H Jacques arrived for eye medical examination.
Normal Works and Training.
20 Other Ranks of No 2 Section left at 13:15 hours for Darlington to erect latrines and ablution facilities for 23rd Divisional Signals HQ. Returned at 20:00 hours. 23rd Divisional Signals provided transport.
19 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Training Programme. Normal.
08:30 hours. 2/Lt Miller left with Section 3 for Darlington 23rd Divisional Signals HQ on work to erect latrines and ablutions.
08:40 hours. 2/Lt Davison left with Section 1 for Seaburn Camp and Dykelands Road work - work in progress.
10:30 hours. Major K MacK Cameron left for Darlington 23rd Divisional Signals HQ.
15:30 Inspected Seaburn Camp trenches for 125 Field Regiment Royal Artillery – progress favourable.
19:10 hours. Mr Miller returned from Darlington with Section No 3.
20:00 hours. Major Cameron phoned.
20 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
08:30 hours. Mr Miller left with Section No 3 for Darlington – 23rd Divisional Signals HQ.
08:50 hours. Mr Davison left for Dykelands Road and Seaburn Camp carrying on with trench and sandbagging on Officers door.
21 September 1939 – Sunderland
17:00 hours. Left for 23rd Divisional Signals and collected Miller, Blench accompanied us.
22 September 1939 – Sunderland
15:00 hours. Went to Low Fell and saw 234 Field Company Officers. Good equipment and men very cheerful. No relatives at Station so secret has been well kept.
Proceeding equipping Cleansing Centre as Company Sick Bay (Cost approximately £15:00).
Miller finishing off at G.H.Q.
23 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Works and Training Programme. Normal.
2/Lt Davison at Seaburn Concert 294 Rat. On ablution benches and trench stathing. 3 Royal Engineer ? ? ?
2/Lt Miller at Darlington at 23rd Division HQ.
15:30 hours. Commander Royal Engineers cabled.
24 September 1939 – Sunderland
Leave to all except Duty and Guard.
25 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Entire Company on Works and Training Programme.
19:15 hours. Received Company Reconnaissance Car from 508 Field Park Company.
The following Acting NCOs appointed today:-
The undermentioned man is promoted Acting Unpaid Corporal with effect from 25/9/1939 –
2074671 Sapper Appleton D.
The undermentioned men are appointed Acting Unpaid Lance Corporal with effect from 25/9/1939 –
2074688 Sapper Bain M.
2075314 Sapper Young J.
26 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
09:00 hours. A Destruction of Aerial Bomb Party sent to Briarmede for instruction.
10:20 hours. Major Cameron left 507 Field Company for Commander Royal Engineers at 23rd Division HQ Gateshead to proceed with Lt Col Kennedy to 23rd Divisional HQ Darlington to see General Herbert and staff.
18:45 Hours. Major Cameron returned from 23rd Divisional HQ at Darlington.
Mr Davison returned from 125 Medium Regiment Dykelands Road from Passive air Defence work.
27 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
30 NCOs and men detailed to work at GHQ Darlington under 2/Lt Miller of No 3 Section.
09:00 hours. Major Cameron with Mr Miller and Sgt Ward left in Company car for GHQ Darlington.
09:08 hours. 30 NCOs and men left for GHQ and are billeted for 2 to 3 days as a Section.
09:25 hours. 9 NCOs and men left for Gateshead for Bomb Destruction.
11:15 hours. Message from Major Cameron for 1 Cook to be sent to Darlington – Sapper Witten was sent through.
14:00 hours. 125 Battery sent a lorry for 507 Field Company Royal Engineers to take the rugby club to play at Seaburn Camp Ground.
27 September 1939 – Sunderland
16:30 hours. The Bomb Destruction Party of 9 NCOs and men returned to Camp. 507 Field Company Royal Engineers HQ.
17:30 hours. The rugby team returned to 507 Field Company Royal Engineers HQ.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
28 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
09:25 hours. 9 NCOs and men left for Bomb Destruction instruction at Gateshead - 508 Field Park Company, Royal Engineers.
16:30 hours. 9 NCOs and men returned from 508 Field Park Company HQ.
23:00 Lights Out.
29 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
09:25 hours. 9 NCOs and men left for 508 Field Park Company HQ on Bomb Destruction Course.
12:45 hours. General W.N. Herbert CB, CMG, DSO and Col Gunnel and Lt Col Kennedy arrived to inspect 507 Field Company Royal Engineers.
13:00 hours. After inspection of 507 Field Company Royal Engineers, General Herbert, Col Gunnel and Lt Col Kennedy left.
16:30 hours. Pay was sent through to Darlington by War Office to pay Section working at GHQ under 2/Lt Miller.
17:30 hours. Company Pay Parade.
18:00 hours. Bomb Destruction Party sent to Middlesbrough to 6th Bn Green Howards, Drill Hall, Lytton Street under L/Cpl Porter and 2 men.
30 September 1939 – Sunderland
08:00 hours. Normal Works and Training Programme.
09:30 hours. Bomb Destruction party left for 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment Londesborough Barracks, Hull under Cpl Nicol and 2 men.
09:35 hours. 2/Lt Davison with 5 men left Dykelands 125 Regiment, 295 Battery for Passive Air Defence work.
11:00 hours . Bomb Destruction Party under L/Cpl Hedley sent to 151 Brigade (Infantry) Old Elvet, Durham with two men.
14:00 hours. A football team left to play 278 A.A. Battery at Whitburn. Result – 507 Field Company Royal Engineers 3 goals, 278 A.A. Battery 0 goals.
14:15 hours. Rest of Company on Route March to watch the match at Whitburn.
19:10 hours. Major Cameron left for Commander Royal Engineers, 23rd Division HQ Gateshead – travelled in War Office car with CSM.
22:30 hours. Major Cameron returned from Commander Royal Engineers 23rd Division HQ Gateshead with CSM.
23:00 hours. Lights Out.
Appendices attached to September 1939 War Diary.
Appendix 1
Although this is referred to in the text of the War Diary there was no evidence of the document being included in the file. It was presumably the note made of the telephone message that a state of war now existed.
Appendix A
This was the manuscript note from Major Cameron to Lt E R Blench instructing him to send a Cook from Company HQ on 27th September.
Appendix B
This was the note from Major Cameron identifying the three teams of men to attend the Bomb Destruction Course. They were:-
Hull
Cpl J Nicol 2032497 C3 Rivetter
Dvr H Dobson 2091628
Spr R McBride 2070339 Labourer
Durham
L/Cpl J Hedley 2073146 A2 Surveyor
Dvr T Smith 2091166
Spr V W Dee 2069483 E3 Fitter and Turner
Middlesbrough
L/Cpl H Porter 2030769 B2 Blacksmith
Dvr A McCririck 2075324
Spr H Jackson 2069477 E3 Painter
Major Cameron noted on the document that, as L/Cpl Hedley had been transferred to the 506th Field Company, his place on the Course would be taken by L/Cpl J Burrell.
Appendix C
On examination this document proved to be a copy of Appendix B.
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