508th Field Park Company, Royal Engineers, War Diary September 1939
1 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
17:00 hours. General Mobilisation received from CRE’s Headquarters.
Captain A. Nixon transferred to 234th Field Company R.E.
2/Lt H.F.N. Scott assumes command as acting O.C.
2 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Mobilisation.
3 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Mobilisation and First Air Raid Warning received.
4 - 6 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Passive Air Defence Scheme for Briermede continued.
7 September 1939 Briarmede, Low Fell.
Training Programme started. CRE’s Programme planned for 7 to 23 September (for details see below).
8 - 12 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Training Programme continued. Captain Byers assumed command of the Company on 11 September.
13 - 15 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Passive Air Defence works at Wesley and St Helen’s billets and at Briermede. Remainder of Company continue Training Programme.
16 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Squad of fifty employed by 234th Field Company as working party. Remainder of Company continues CRE’s Training Programme.
11:00 hours. Visit by Colonel Appleyard, D.C.E. Northern Command.
17 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
No parade.
18 - 20 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Company continued training according to Programme.
One Section on Passive Air Defence works at St Helens billets on 20 September.
21 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
One Section on P.A.D. works. Remainder of Company continue training.
12:00 hours. St Helens and Wesley Billets handed over from 234th Field Company R.E.
22 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Cleaning out of St Helens and Wesley Billets by two Sections. Remainder on Training Programme.
23 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Received two trucks from the RASC for the day.
One Section on Works:-
Returning stores from billets to Briermede.
Collecting ash from Dunston Power Station for Parade Ground.
24 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Remainder of Company continue training. No Parade except for duty men.
25 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
One Section on P.A.D. works at Wesley Billets. Remainder of Company continue training.
O.C’s. car received from ?
Demolition class of 23rd Division R.E. personnel under Major Burton started.
26 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
P.A.D. work at Wesley Billets completed by one Section. Remainder of Company continue training.
Two trucks received from RASC.
27 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Company completes CRE’s first Training Programme.
28 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
CRE’s second Training Programme started by whole Company (for details see below).
29 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Company continues Training Programme.
10:00 hours. Visit by Major-General W.N. Herbert, Commander 23rd Division.
30 September 1939 Briermede, Low Fell.
Company continue Training Programme. First Period Route March of 7 ½ miles.
Major Burton’s demolition classes end.
Appendices attached to the September 1939 War Diary for 508th Field Park Company.
Training Programme 14 – 27 September
This single sheet sets out the structure of the Programme on a daily basis. Each day has three components – first, second and third periods.
The subjects covered over the two weeks are as follows:-
Drill
Drill and Weapon Training
Weapon Training
R.E. Tests 1 – 6
R.E. Tests 7 – 10
R.E. Test 11
R.E. Tests 12 – 14
Anti-Gas
Demolitions
Bridging
Water supply
Anti-Tank defences
Map reading
Field defences.
Training Programme 28 September to 14 October 1939
Again based on a three period structure for the day, the subjects covered are very much as the initial two weeks with the addition of; more advanced tests, P.T. included with Drill, Route Marches, Power Tools and Equipment fitting.
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