War Diary 757th Field Company, Royal Engineers, May 1942
1 May 1942 Nantmor Valley, Penrhyndeudraeth.
09:00 hours. Weather report. Clear, bright sunshine, calm.
13:00 hours. No change.
Company on training, individual and pack.
2 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Clear, bright sunshine, calm.
13:00 hours. No change.
Company administration. Recreation.
3 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Clear, bright sunshine, calm.
13:00 hours. No change.
Company holiday. Exercise “DRUM” Conference.
4 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Clear, bright sunshine, calm.
13:00 hours. No change.
Company on Exercise “DRUM”.
C. in C. Western Command visiting Unit in Camp.
5 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Misty, drizzle, calm.
13:00 hours. Dull, calm.
Exercise “DRUM”.
Lieutenant J T Fox RE posted to this unit from Commandant Royal Engineers 49 Division.
6 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Clear and bright. Rather cool.
13:00 hours. No change.
Exercise “DRUM”. Return to Camp.
7 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Clear, bright, calm.
13:00 hours. Warm.
Company administration and unpacking loads. Captain Lucas and Lieutenant Wakefield making recce of gaps in walls and immobilising booby traps after Exercise “DRUM”.
8 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, cool, calm.
Brigadier’s Conference on “DRUM”.
Company filling up gaps in stone walls in hills above HARLECH after “DRUM”.
9 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather – Fine and Windy.
Major L A M Fraser proceeded on leave. Captain A W T Lucas assumed command of the Company. Section administration.
10 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather - Fine and Windy.
Company Holiday.
11 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather - Dull and Cool.
Company commenced intensive Weapon Training.
12 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather – Coll and Windy.
Weapon training in morning. Gas demonstration and film in afternoon by Command Technical Officer (Chemical Warfare).
One Other Rank posted from Y List.
13 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather – Cool and Windy.
Company on Weapon training.
14 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather – Cool, Slight Rain.
Warning Order for move to KINGTON.
8 Drivers (Internal Combustion) and 1 Lance Sergeant (Motor Mechanic) posted from No. 1 Motor Transport Training Depot.
15 May 1942
Weather – Fine with Slight Showers.
Captain Lucas met Lieutenant Colonel Foster MBE RE Commandant Royal Engineers 49 Division with Deputy Chief Engineer, Western Command and other Officers at KINGTON Station at 11:00 hours and made recce of proposed Camp Sites.
Lieutenant Wakefield and Advance Party arrived at KINGTON and were taken by Captain Lucas to Company billet at STAUNTON-ON-WYE.
16 May 1942
Weather – Bright and Fine.
Lieutenant Fox and three Other Ranks (1 Sergeant 2 Lance Sergeants) left for Assault Course with Commandant Royal Engineers 6th Armoured Division.
Company on returning stores and packing.
17 May 1942
Weather. Dull.
Company packing stores and loading.
18 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather – Rain and Cool.
Company moved to STAUNTON-ON-WYE. Road Party left 07:00 hours. Arrived 16:30 hours.
Major L A M Fraser returned from leave.
19 May 1942 JARVIS CHARITY SCHOOL, STAUNTON-ON-WYE, HEREFORD.
09:00 hours. Weather report. Bright, calm, cool.
13:00 hours. No change.
Major Fraser calling on Commandant Royal Engineers 49 Division at LLANGOED CASTLE.
Company cleaning up billets.
2/Lt A W Moore RE posted to this unit from C.R.E. 49 Division.
20 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Clear, bright, calm.
13:00 hours. No change.
Company cleaning up billets etc.
2/Lt Howard returned from Iceland Course.
21 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, calm, warm.
13:00 hours. Bright, clouds, warm.
Company on Works HUNTINGTON PARK CAMP.
Delivering stores to Camp Site.
22 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, calm, warm.
13:00 hours. Clouds, bright.
Company on Works.
2/Lt J A Wakefield posted to 592 Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers, PORTSMOUTH.
23 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, calm, cool.
13:00 hours. Dull, rain, cool.
Company on Works. Captain Lucas on leave.
24 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Clouds, bright, cool.
13:00 hours. Light showers.
Conservancy.
25 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, rain, cool.
13:00 hours. Heavy rain.
Company on Works. Officer Mechanical Engineering inspecting unit vehicles. Assistant Director of Medical Services, 49 Division, inspecting Company billets etc.
26 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Heavy clouds, bright.
13:00 hours. Heavy rain, cool.
Company on Works. Carrying out recce for Camp Sites with 178 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery and Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General, 49 Division, in KINGTON area.
2/Lt Howard on 49 Division exercise as Umpire.
27 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Heavy clouds, bright, cool.
13:00 hours. No change.
Company on Works. 2/Lt Howard returned from exercise.
28 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, heavy clouds, cool.
13:00 hours. Showers.
Company on Works. Making recce of HARPTON COURT near NEW RADNOR with Brigade Major, 178 Field Regiment, DAQMG 49 Division and representative from War Agricultural Committee.
29 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, showery, cool.
13:00 hours. No change.
Company on Works at Huntington Park Camp. Commenced work on HARPTON COURT.
Lt Fox returned from 6 Armoured Division Course.
G.o.C. 49 Division inspecting Company on Works.
30 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Bright, clear, calm.
13:00 hours. Showery, Cool.
Company on Works.
31 May 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Bright, clouds, cool.
13:00 hours. Showery, warm.
Company on Works. Brigade Commander, 70th Brigade, inspecting Camp Sites.
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