War Diary 757th Field Company, Royal Engineers, October 1942
1 October 1942 Prospect House, Prospect Hill, Stourbridge, Worcester.
09:00 hours. Weather report. Clear, bright, mild.
13:00 hours. Warm.
Nos. 2, 3 and Intake Sections on Basic Training. 2/Lt A W Moore returned from Course and Leave.
2 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Haze, slightly frosty.
13:00 hours. Bright, clear, warm.
No. 2 and 3 Sections on Route March. Intake on Basic Training.
3 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Haze, average temperature.
13:00 hours. Bright, clear, warm.
Conservancy. Company Parade. Recreational training. 2/Lt Hodge left on 48 hours leave prior to proceeding on Course.
4 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Haze, average temperature.
13:00 hours. Bright, clear.
Conservancy. Holiday. 2/Lt Howard left on Bomb Disposal Course, Birmingham.
5 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cloudy, average temperature.
13:00 hours. No change.
Nos. 2, 3 and Intake Sections on Basic Training. Lieutenant Rassam HQRE attached to this Unit.
6 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Light clouds, average temperature.
13:00 hours. No change.
Nos. 2, 3 and Intake Sections on Basic Training. All Officers attending C.R.E. lecture. Lieutenant Russell, Army Physical Training Corps, Western Command, visiting unit.
7 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, average temperature.
13:00 hours. Bright, light clouds.
Nos. 2, 3 and Intake Sections on Basic Training. Lecture by Lieutenant Commander I Irving, Royal Navy, to Company.
8 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, heavy showers, cool.
13:00 hours. No change.
Nos. 2. 3 and Intake Sections on Basic Training. Lieutenant Russell, APTC, left.
9 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, dry, cold.
13:00 hours. No change.
Nos. 2 and 3 Section on Route March. Intake Section on Basic Training. Half No. 3 Section on leave. All Officers attending C.R.E. lecture on Control. Lt Howard returned from Bomb Disposal Course.
10 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, average temperature.
13:00 hours. Showery, average temperature.
Company on Conservancy and cleaning tools. Intake pass-off Parade. Salute taken by Commandant, Royal Engineers.
11 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Bright, clear, average temperature.
13:00 hours. Light clouds, bright.
Company Church Parade – OLD SWINFORD PARISH Church. 30 Pioneers, 146 Brigade, arrived.
12 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cloudy, cool.
13:00 hours. No change.
No. 1 and 2 Sections on Basic Training. Intake Section on Fieldworks Training. 146 Brigade Pioneer Class attached to this unit for Fieldworks Course. Visit of Chief Engineer, Western Command.
13 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Haze, ground frost.
13:00 hours. Bright, light clouds, rather cold.
Nos. 1 and 2 Sections on Basic Training. Intake Section and Pioneer Platoon class on Fieldworks. Lecture on map marking to Officers and Senior NCOs by Intelligence Officer. Lecture to Officers and Senior NCOs by Mr Butler, War Office, on “Prisoners of War”.
14 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cloudy, average temperature.
13:00 hours. Bright periods.
Nos 1 and 2 Sections on Basic Training. Intake on Fieldworks. Pioneer Class on demolitions. Company on Recreational Training in afternoon.
15 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Light clouds, bright.
13:00 hours. No change.
Nos. 1 and 2 Sections on Route March. Intake Fieldworks. Pioneer Class on demolitions. Lieutenant Rassam, RE, attending interview at METROPOLE BUILDINGS, LONDON. Innoculations being carried out in Company.
16 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Very dull, average temperature.
13:00 hours. Dull, average temperature.
Nos. 1 and 2 Sections on Basic Training. Intake on Fieldworks. Pioneer Class on Anti-Tank mine laying. Lieutenant Rassam returned from interview.
17 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Dull, average temperature.
13:00 hours. Cloudy.
Nos. 1, 2 and 4 Sections on Company Parade. Pioneer Class on Booby Traps.
18 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cloudy, mild.
13:00 hours. No change.
Conservancy. Holiday. 1st Pioneer Class 146 Brigade dispersed to own units. 2nd Pioneer Class 146 Brigade arrived.
19 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Light clouds, mild.
13:00 hours. Bright, clear, warm.
Nos. 1 and 2 Sections on Basic Training. 4 Section on Fieldworks. 146 Brigade Pioneer Class on earthworks. Lecture to Officers and Senior NCOs of Divisional Royal Engineers by Major Fraser on “Appreciations”.
20 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Fine and cold.
17:30 hours. Showery.
Nos.1 and 2 Sections on Basic Training. 4 Section on Demolitions. Major L A M Fraser proceeded on “Mountain and Snow Warfare” Course. Captain A W T Lucas assumed command of the Company in his absence. 146 Brigade Pioneer Class on Earthworks.
21 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and fine.
Nos. 1, 2 and 4 Sections on Basic Training. 146 Brigade Pioneer Class on Demolitions. Afternoon Recreational Training for whole Company.
22 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and fine.
Visit of Major-General Curtis – G.o.C. 49 Division. Pioneers and Intake on Demolitions. Remainder of Company on Cross Country Run.
23 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and wet.
1 and 2 Sections on Basic Training. 4 Section on Demolitions. Captain Lucas to Witney for Divisional Sports Meeting.
24 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and showery.
1 Section in Cardiff unloading Bailey Bridge. 2 Section on Miniature Range. 4 Section on Basic Training. Conservancy.
25 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and fine.
13:00 hours. Heavy rain.
Church Parade for Methodists, Roman Catholics and Church of England. 1 Section returned from Cardiff.
26 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and dull.
1 Section on Basic Training. 2 Section on Open Range. 4 Section on Obstacles.
27 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and dull.
1 Section on Basic Training. 2 Section on Open Range. 4 Section on Practical Wiring.
Lecture to Officers and Senior NCOs of 49 Division Royal Engineers by Captain Mackintosh on Orders and Messages.
28 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and foggy.
13:00 hours. Fine.
2 Section Exercise “FELIX”. 1 and 4 Sections Basic Training and Recreational Training.
29 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and misty.
16:00 hours. Rain.
2 Section Exercise “FELIX”. 1 Section Basic Training. 4 Section Wiring. Company in Cross Country Run.
30 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold and damp.
1 and 2 Sections Basic Training. 4 Section – Obstacles. Afternoon – Training Film Shows.
31 October 1942
09:00 hours. Weather report. Cold, dull.
1 Section unloading BAILEY BRIDGE. 3 and 4 Sections on Conservancy and Basic Training. Half holiday.
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