War Diary 757th Field Company, Royal Engineers, November 1942
1 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull and rain.
13:00 hours. Rain ceased.
1 Section unloading Bailey Bridge. Company on Conservancy. Acting Officer Commanding’s inspection of billets.
2 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull and foggy.
1 and 3 Sections on Basic Training. 4 Section on Water Supply in morning and Gas Demonstration in afternoon.
3 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Misty.
12:00 hours. Mist cleared.
1 and 3 Sections on Basic Training. 4 Section Water Supply by Scheme.
4 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and slight mist.
1 and 3 Sections on Basic Training. 4 Section on Miniature Range. Recreational Training.
5 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and dull.
1 and 3 Sections Route March and Cross Country Run. 4 Section on Open Range.
6 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and sunny.
1 and 3 Sections on Basic Training. 4 Section on Roads and Tracks. Captain Lucas to Witney on Divisional Sports Meeting.
7 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Ground mist early. Fine and cold.
3 Section constructing latrine at Fieldworks Ground. Remainder of Company – Officer Commanding’s Parade and lecture by Medical Officer.
8 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
Officer Commanding’s inspection of billets and kit inspection. Half holiday.
9 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Ground mist, cold.
1 Section on Open Range. 3 Section on Basic Training. 4 Section on Demolitions.
10 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
1 Section on Open Range. 3 Section on Practical Battle Drill. 4 Section on Practical Demolitions. Officers and Senior NCOs at lecture on Organisation of a Division by Major Lidell GSO2 49 Division.
11 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
1 and 3 Sections Basic Training. 4 Section Booby Traps. Recreational Training afternoon.
12 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Wet and cold all day.
1 and 3 Sections – Route March. 4 Section Practical Booby Traps. NCOs Maths Exam.
13 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
1and 3 Sections Basic Training. 4 Section Mines. All Company at Training Films during afternoon. 2 Section Recce party on exercise.
14 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
Section Administration and Officer Commanding’s Drill Parade. Divisional Royal Engineers Aquatic Sports- Challenge Cup won by 757 Field Company, Royal Engineers.
15 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
Stourbridge Civic Sunday. Divisional Royal Engineers paraded at Old Swinford Church and marched past the Mayor and Commandant Royal Engineers (Lt Col R N Foster MBE RE).
16 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
3 and HQ Sections on Open Range. 1 Section Basic Training. 4 Section use of Span and Tackles.
17 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
HQ and 3 Sections on Open Range. 1 Section Practical Battle Drill. 4 Section use of Spens and Tackles.
Officers and NCOs at lecture for Divisional Royal Engineers by Lt Col King (Commanding Officer 49 Recce Regiment).
18 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
1 and 3 Sections Basic Training. 4 Section Stack Span. Company Commanders’ Conference at RE HQ. Recreational Training.
19 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
1, 3, 4 and HQ Sections on Exercise “TRUDGE” (Endurance Test). Captain Lucas to Witney for Divisional Cloth Model Exercise.
20 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
Exercise “TRUDGE” continuing and completed after 40 mile march and wading across River Severn.
21 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Wet and chilly.
Company on Conservancy and Section Administration. Discussion on Exercise “TRUDGE”. Recreational Training.
22 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Very cold – sharp frost.
Company on Conservancy and “Make and Mend”. Half day.
23 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold – frost.
1, 2, 3 Sections on Tests of Elementary Training and Earthworks. 4 Section on Bailey Bridge.
24 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and dull.
1 and 3 Sections digging new weapon pits. 3 Section – camouflage and field geometry. 4 Section on Bailey Bridge.
Officers and Senior NCOs lecture by Major Wakeham RE on “Field Park Company, Royal Engineers”.
25 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and dull.
Exercise “MONTE CARLO” – 4 vehicles and one motorcycle involved.
1, 2 and 3 Sections on Earthworks. 4 Section on Bailey Bridge including Night Scheme. Lecture on “Canada at War” by Major Ney M.C.
26 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and dull.
Exercise “MONTE CARLO”. 1 and 2 Sections Earthworks. 3 Section 49 Division Street Fighting School. 4 Section – S.B.G.
27 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and dull.
1 and 2 Sections – Earthworks. 3 Section – 49 Division Street Fighting School. 4 Section – S.B.G.
17 of Intake posted to 294 Field Company, Royal Engineers.
Second Anniversary of Formation of the Company. Smoking Concert and Celebration Dance.
28 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and dull.
1 and 3 Sections 49 Division Street Fighting School. 2 Section – Section Administration. 4 Section unloading Railway Wagons. Recreational Training.
29 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and dull.
Wireless instruction. Church Parade. 1 Section – 49 Division Street Fighting School.
4 Section disbanded.
NCOs – demolition instruction. Half day.
30 November 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Mild and damp.
1 and 2 Sections at 49 Division Street Fighting School. 3 Section on earthworks and field geometry.
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