War Diary 756th Field Company, Royal Engineers, May 1942

1 May 1942 Blaenau Festiniog.

Preliminary reconnaissance having been made, and a suitable site selected for the construction of a Summer training Camp for a complete Infantry Brigade, 756 Field Company vacated billets at Blaenau Festiniog and moved to new camp site at Dolgelley.

In order to test the operational efficiency of the Unit, no preparatory work had been done apart from the delivery of stores; otherwise the camp site was completely unprepared. By late evening, the Unit Camp was 100% efficient. Emergency water supply had been laid; cookhouses, latrines etc installed; tents and marquees erected; and everything functioning smoothly.

2 May 1942 Dolgelley.

Camp installations completed, and work resumed as preparations for beginning work on Brigade Camp nearby.

3 May 1942

Orders received to cease work on Brigade Camps, and to resume normal Divisional training forthwith. Recce and preparations begun for night exercise.

4 May 1942

Unit began night exercise at 21:00 hours. One Section despatched in advance to comprise enemy troops and take up positions in mountain range near Cader Idris. Remaining Sections as attacking force, followed with orders to infiltrate selected rendezvous.

5 May 1942

Exercise completed mid-day. Umpires reports recealed that useful experience had been gained by all personnel. Operational efficiency of Unit also shown by fact that all Sections and Sub-Sections reached R.V. by scheduled time, and that in spite of a hazardous and often treacherous march through the mountains by night, no casualties occurred. Only four men failed to complete the march which totalled 30 miles.

6 May 1942

Work began on clearing site of camp stores for return.

7 May 1942

Collective training by all Sections.

9 May 1942

Orders received for Unit to proceed to South Wales for training on Bailey Bridge.

10 May 1942

Advance Party left for LLECHRYD, near Cardigan, to prepare Camp site.

11 May 1942

Unit continued work on clearing stores, and general training.

15 May 1942

Company moved to LLECHRYD, South Wales. Convoy reached destination at 16:00 hours. Camp erected the same night.

16 May 1942 LLECHRYD.

All personnel engaged on final improvements to new camp and precincts.

18 May 1942

Training – including weapon training, map reading, fieldcraft etc. In order to develop enterprise and initiative as far as possible, Sections were ordered to carry out minor exercises and schemes. These consisted of tests in reconnaissance, taking up and defending positions, camouflage etc. Results proved highly successful.

24 May 1942

All Unit Officers and NCOs instructed on the Bailey Bridge. Afterwards, erected and dismantled bridge.

25 May 1942

Training began on Bailey Bridge. Sections not engaged being employed on collective training. Continued for remainder of month.

29 May 1942

Lt P R McCawley proceeded on embarkation leave prior to joining overseas draft.

Following continued heavy rain, which rendered Camp site almost unusable, Unit moved into billets at ST DOGMELLS.

31 May 1942

Strength of Company:-

Officers 6; Other Ranks 190.

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