508th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers, War Diary December 1939

1 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training and works on Shelters in Lovaine Row continued.

Section under Sgt Urwin attached to 9th RNFs at Plaza, Tynemouth for works in blacking-out and accommodation at the Plaza.

2 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued. Route March under 2/Lt Edgar. Section at Tynemouth. Company dismissed at 13:00 hours until 22:59 hours.

Sgts Brown and Barrow proceed to Brompton Barracks, Chatham for M.T. Course.

3 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

10:00 hours. Church Parade. Company proceeds to Jesmond Parish Church under 2/Lt Edgar and 2/Lt Wood.

12:00 hours. Company dismissed until 22:59 hours.

4 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

2/Lt Scott proceeds to Brompton Barracks, Chatham for M.T. Course.

Company training and works continued. One Section at Tynemouth.

Working Party prepare ablution benches for Plaza at Tynemouth.

19:00 hours. Company proceed to Salvation Army Temple, Westgate Road, for Concert and supper. Supper very good.

5 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training and works continued. Section at Tynemouth.

Party of 50 go to Palace Theatre, Haymarket.

6 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training and works continued.

Working Parties:-

Preparing billets for Militiamen due on 9/12/1939.

Making ablution benches for Plaza, Tynemouth.

7 - 8 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training and works continued. Working Party to Denton Schools, blackout and miniature range.

9 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Route March under 2/Lt Edgar. Militia intake from Training Company, Jarrow.

Company dismissed until 22:59 hours.

10 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Church Parade under 2/Lt Edgar. Company dismissed until 22:59 hours. 2/Lt Scott returned from M.T. Course, Chatham.

11 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training and works continued. Working Parties to All Saints Schools, ablution bench for 49th R.T.C.

No entry for 12th December.

13 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training and works continued. Working Party to Jesmond Dene Road to prepare Motor Park for 151st Field Ambulance Brigade. Working Party to Prudhoe. 60 men sent on 7 days’ Christmas Leave.

14 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training and works continued. Working Party to Jesmond Dene Road. Anti-tetanus parade under Captain Jacques RAMC.

15 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training and works continued.

16 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

I.E. Parade. Route March under 2/Lt Davison, two hours duration. 15 folding boats arrived at Forth Lane Goods Yard, Gateshead for 508 Company. Troops dismissed from 14:00 hours to 23:00 hours except duty personnel.

17 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Church Parade. Company dismissed from 14:00 hours to 23:00 hours except duty personnel. 2/Lt Edgar left for Fieldworks Course at Chatham.

18 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued. Gas lecture by 2/Lt Davison. 15 folding boats collected from Gateshead. 14 found to be damaged due to faulty stowage. Working party to St Helen’s School for 49th R.T.C.

19 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued. Gas Lecture by 2/Lt Davison. Working party preparing Drill Hall for Childrens’ Christmas Party. CQMS starts leave. First leave contingent returned to duty.

20 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued. CSM starts leave.

21 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued. Second contingent starts leave, including 2/Lt Scott.

22 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued.

23 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued. Company dismissed from 14:00 hours to 23:00 hours.

24 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Church Parade under 2/Lt Davison. Company dismissed until 23:00 hours.

25 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Check Parade 09:00 hours. Company dismissed until 23:00 hours.

26 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

I.E. Parade. Company dismissed from 14:00 hours to 23:00 hours.

27 – 28 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued.

29 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued. 2nd leave contingent and 2/Lt Scott returned to duty. Childrens’ Christmas Party given in Drill Hall followed by Company Dance – great success.

30 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Company training continued. Route March. Infantry exercises on Town Moor under 2/Lt Scott. 3rd contingent starts leave. Company dismissed 17:00 hours to 23:00 hours.

31 December 1939 Barras Bridge R.E. Drill Hall.

Church Parade under 2/Lt Scott. Company dismissed 14:00 hours to 23:00 hours.

Appendices attached to December 1939 War Diary for 508 Field Park Company.

Document from the Commandant of the Military College of Science, setting out training arrangements to increase the number of qualified Officers – Mechanical Engineering. This set of documents put forward proposals for the structure and syllabus for Officers – Mechanical Engineering for both Field Artillery and Anti-Aircraft Artillery units. Details of additional staffing and accommodation to support an increase were set out.

In addition, the papers addressed the need for additional Specialist Officers – Mechanical Engineering (Wireless) and how their training might dovetail with that of Armament Artificers.

The papers also included an outline War Diary for the training establishment at Lydd. It is by no means clear why this correspondence was filed with the 508 Field Park Company War Diary – no obvious connection could be seen.

To contact the author by e-mail with any queries, or to send information - click here.