September 1939

Commanding Officer: 

Perham Down

1 Sept

1545

Orders received from 1 Hy. Armd. Bde. to mobilise.

1600

P.A.D. work expedited.

1900

Maj. K.R. FARRINGTON assumed appointment of D.A.A.G. 2 Corps.

2359

The following had joined:- S.R. Officers – 9.,

2

1130

All ranks medically inspected, the following were found unfit for foreign service:- 3 O.Rs.

From 0900 and all day, Work was continued on pitching the Bn. camp at WINDMILL HILL.

2359

The following had joined:- S.R. Officers – 2,

R.A.R. Officers – 2, Reservists O.Rs. – 61.

3 Cruisers arrived.

3

Casuals medically inspected.

18 Drs. despatched to CHILWELL under 2/Lieut R.E. Ward to collect Tpt. from CHILWELL.

Lieut. A.G. Walker joined.

Local purchase of P.A.D. equipment authorised. Bleach and A.R.P. stores wanted. Impossible to obtain.

Deficiencies of tanks and guns reported.

4

Camp at WINDMILL HILL was completed.

The following joined:- S.R. Officers – 1,

Reservists O.Rs. – 17.

From Depot:- 1 Reservists, 8 Regular N.C.Os.

The following vehicles arrived from

CHILWELL:- 18 Trucks, 15 cwt.

Mobilisation progress – Normal.

5

All ranks employed on moving from CAMBRAI Barracks to camp at WINDMILL HILL.

Numbers joined :- Nil.

1300

Coys and Bd HQ Sec marched out of Barracks independently.

1600

Mobilisation progress retarded due to move of the Bn.

6

All personnel engaged on P.A.D. work at WINDMILL HILL Camp.

A.A. emplacements constructed. Bren guns mounted and crews trained in their use.

The following joined:- 1 Capt. R.A.M.C.,

1 Lieut. R.A.R.O., 1 deserter from 1 R.T.R.

7

P.A.D. Work continued and all necessary slit trenches completed.

The following joined the Unit:- R.A.R. Officers - 1.

8

Individual training under Coy. training commenced.

9

Individual training.

Cruiser tank T 4430 arrived from NUFFIELDS.

Cruiser tank T 4396 out of R.A.O.C.TIDWORTH.

10

Church Parade.

11

Preparation for firing Tables 111 A and 111 B.

Individual training.

12

“A” Coy. firing Table 11 A and 111 B.

Three 3-ton requisitioned lorries drawn from R.A.O.C. TIDWORTH.

1 Reservist joined.

13

“A” Coy completed firing table 111 A & B.

“B” Coy. completed firing table 111 A & B.

14

“B” Coy. firing table 111 A & B.

“C” Coy. commenced firing tables 111 A & B.

15

“C” Coy. completed firing table 111 A & B.

1 Cruiser tank A 13 arrived from Nuffields.

2 – 3 ton. requisitioned lorries arrived from RAOC Tidworth.

16

Individual training continued under Coy. arrangements.

Half Day.

17

Church Parade.

18

2 – 3-ton requisitioned lorries arrived from RAOC Tidworth.

Lieut. G.H. Rawlins left being unfit.

19

“C” Sqn. reservists fired revolver practices.

20

“B” Sqn. reservists fired revolver practices.

21

8 S.R. Officers joined. Lieut. J. H. Thompson,

2/Lieut. H.Q. Parker, 2/Lieut. A.E. White,

2/Lieut. H.B. Ball, 2/Lieut. A.H. Crickmay,

2/Lieut. J.H. Gray, 2/Lieut. H.A.W. Jones,

2/Lieut. B.S. Young.

10 Morris 3-ton lorries arrived from Imprest Vehicle park, Tidworth.

22

Two officers joined from the Depot:- 2/Lieut.R.H.D. Hall, 2/Lieut. P. Stevens.

23

Individual training being carried on. Half Day.

24

Church Parade.

1 Officer joined, 2/Lieut. L.F.P. Russell (SRO)

Capt. H. Rew left to take up appointment as Staff Capt. to 1 Army Tank Brigade.

25

Bn. Officers wireless course started for 1 week.

A court of enquiry was held to enquire into –

(a) The circumstances under which No. 7886135

Pte. L. Gliddon met his death.

(b) The illegal absence and deficiencies of kit, if

any of No. 7888556 L/Cpl. K.N. Arthurs.

(c) The illegal absence and deficiencies of kit, if

any of No. 7888617 Pte. L.E. Downer.

26

Individual Training.

27

Individual training.

15 trained recruits joined from the 52 Hy. Training Regt.

28

Bde. TEWT

11 Reservists joined from the 57 Hy. Training Regt.

3 Norton M.C.s arrived from Chilwell:- C 384366, C 361481, C 382958.

29

Cruiser tank T 4428 arrived from Nuffields.

Individual training.

30

Adv. party left for Linney Head.

1 Officer joined:- Lieut. H.M. Kelsey (RAMC)

October 1939

Commanding Officer: 

Windmill Hill Camp

1 Oct

Main body left for Linney Head.

2

Capt. J.F.P. Dewhurst to be acting Maj. with seniority from 3.9.39.

3

Lieut. T.R. Newton-Dunn and Lieut. G.J. Gilpin to be acting Capts. from 3.9.39. with seniority above Capt. K.H. Lloyd-King.

4

Capt. G.B. Ebbage, RAMC left to take up appointment at Netley Hospital.

5

Start of regular wearing of respirators by all ranks other than M.T. drivers proceeding out of camp.

6

Individual training, the work was handicapped by a break in the weather.

7

Owing to weather conditions little practical work could be done. Half Day.

8

The day was observed in the normal way, there being voluntary Church Parades.

9

2/Lieut. L. Sherley-Price to be unpaid acting Capt. as from 25.9.39.

10

Individual training as far as possible is being carried on, but weather conditions make outside work very limited.

11

It was announced that from today on Wed. would no longer be regarded as a half day.

12

38 Trained recruits arrived from the 52 Hy. Training Regt.

A lecture was given in the evening on “B” Ech. by Bde. T.O.

13

The weather continuing fine individual training went on.

14

The weather broke again during the night with the result that only limited training could be carried on.

Half day.

15

The weather showed signs of improving early in the day but rain came on later.

Church Parade.

16

Bren gun practices fired by “A” Sqn.

Weather conditions having improved again the full individual training programme is in operation.

17

Bren gun practices fired by “B” Sqn. 

Bn. W/T Course restarted under Bn. Sigs. O.

A lecture on harbouring was given in the evening by the Adjt.

18

Bren gun practices fired by “C” Sqn.

Lieut. G.H. Rawlings rejoined as fit.

The weather broke again restricting the training.

19

Major M.D.B. Lister arrived from India.

Major J.F.P. Dewhurst ceases to hold acting paid rank on Major M.D.B. Lister’s appointment.

Weather conditions getting steadily worse.

20

Weather conditions still showing no signs of improvement – individual training being handicapped.

21

Weather getting steadily worse – whole camp area becoming very wet and muddy.

Half day.

22

Church Parade. Weather unchanged.

23

Bde. B Ech. Scheme.

24

Revolver casuals annual practices fired, by details.

25

Adv. party left today for the billeting area at Ringwood.

26

C.O.’s parade and address to Bde.

27

Individual training being carried on as far as possible but owing to weather and the state of the camp work is becoming increasingly difficult.

28

Little or no training can be done owing to weather and ground conditions. Half day.

29

1130

; A message was received from 1 Hy. Armd. Bde. that the Bde. was to be at 6 hours notice to move eastwards. All personnel were recalled from leave. The Bde. Comd. visited the unit at 1630 hours and as a result of his visit the adv. party at Ringwood was ordered to return. All available tpt. was despatched to Ringwood to bring back stores and personnel.

Mob amn. was drawn from the RAOC Tidworth. Belting started during the night.

Billeting party arrived from Ringwood 0300 hours night 29^th-30 October.

30

Mob. stores were issued to Sqns. and sqns. took over their vehicles as per B 1 Ech., these were loaded in accordance with load tables. 7 Medium Tanks recently taken over by the 57 Hy. Training Rgt. were taken over again and driven to Windmill Hill Camp. The day was spent in belting amn. and loading all tanks and vehicles to war scale. 1 – 3-ton lorry was drawn from Mob. vehicle store, Hedge End.

31

Loading continued throughout the day and was completed as far as possible by the end of the day. Three days hard rations were issued to sqns. Revolvers were drawn and issued to personnel. All surplus stores were returned or disposed of. CO attended a CO’s conference at Bde. HQ Warminster where the Bde. Comd. outlined the possible role of the Bde., its possible location and the urgent need of secrecy regarding the move.

November 1939

Commanding Officer: 

Windmill Hill Camp

1^st Nov.

Orders as to move were still vague and the date of the move unknown. As many orders as possible for the move were issued and the adv. party selected, this was to consist of Maj. Willison as Tactical O., Lieut. Jackson as Billeting O., the RSM and 16 other ranks, this party was ordered to be prepared to move at a moment’s notice.

The OC Billeting party received his instructions as to time of start and RV.

1 – 3-ton Leyland lorry L.164643 arrived from Imprest park, Tidworth.

The following officers left for appointments as under:-

2/Lieut. D.N. MacDonald to 1 Hy. Armd. Bde., Lieuts. J.H. Lester, B.S. Young, G.H. Rawlings, J.H. Gabe, 2/Lieuts. L.F.P. Russell, B.H. Archer and P. Q. Bluett to 57 Hy. Training Rgt.

2

0900

The Billeting Party left in two private cars and two trucks. The Bde. completed its preparations to move, all work was hampered by the extremely bad weather, the whole camp being a sea of mud. No. 2 Driving School RASC accommodated 340 men of the Bd. in empty huts at Hedge End Camp.

3

1000

Train times were received from 1 Hy. Armd. Bde.

All accommodation stores and other stores were transported to Ludgershall Sta. in readiness for train loading the following day.

The Bn was to move to billeting areas on Sat. 4 Nov. 39. as follows:- B. Ech. under 1 Hy. Armd. Bde. arrangements. Train party in three mixed trains. Orders were issued to both parties (see appx. B 1 and B 2).

Rothamsted House, 

4

The move of the main party was carried out according to plan.

Owing to an error by MC 2 cruisers and 1 light tank were left at Perham Down. The following personnel were also left at Perham Down.

Rear Party:- 1 Officer and 13 Other Ranks.

Tank Party:- 1 Officer and tank crews left behind.

The train parties arrived at Stevenage Sta., the first train arriving at 1730 hrs. and the remaining two during the night. No unloading took place and personnel slept on the trains.

5

Tanks were detrained at Stevenage Sta. in the order “B”, “A” and “C” Sqns. and marched independently to Harpenden and dispersed to billeting areas. All stores and personnel were transported from Stevenage to Harpenden in unit tpt.

Sqn. billeting areas were as follows:-

RHQ and HQ Sqdn. Rothamsted House.

“A” Sqn. South end of town.

“B” Sqn. Piggots Hill Lane.

“C” Sqn. Grange Court Road and Childwick Hall.

Bde. Maj. visited RHQ during the afternoon.

6

1430

The day was spent settling in to billeting areas.

7

0900

Sqn. Cmds. conference.

Bde. Comd. visited unit billets and made tour of inspection with the CO.

1 Hy. Armd. Bd. issued OO. No. 1.

8

CO attended Bde. conference at Bde. HQ in the afternoon.

9

CO attended Bde. Conference at Bde. HQ in the afternoon.

60 reservists and trained recruits arrived from the 57 Hy. Training Regt.

Tp. training going on in the unit.

10

“A” Sqn. moved its billeting area to the north end of the town.

Air raid warning “yellow” received at 10.30 hrs., the all clear being given at 11.15 hrs.

11

A party was sent to the Armistice Day Memorial Service and a wreath was placed on the memorial by the CO.

12

The day was uneventful and observed in the normal way.

13

The CO and the Bd. IO accompanied by a Sqn. Comd. left on a two days recce. of the two beach areas allotted to this unit by Div.

Tp. training being carried on.

14

The CO and his recce. party returned during the day.

15

The 2^nd-in-Comd. accompanied by the Bn. IO carried out a rapid recce of the unit’s two beach areas.

A light tank of “A” Sqn. while out on tp. training had steering failure and collided with a tree, two of the crew were admitted to Hitchin Hospital with minor injuries. The tank was damaged beyond repair.

16

“A” Sqn’s tank which was damaged in yesterday’s accident was despatched to Aldershot from Hitchin Station.

The CO and 2^nd in command carried out a recce for Gp. Pts. on debauching from Harpenden.

17

The CO accompanied by the Bn. IO attended a Bde. recce conference on the recces carried out at Bde. HQ.

18

The following officers reverted to the rack of 2/Lieut. from this date:- Lieuts. E.G. Emden, D.B. Erskine, A.H. Laing, R.M.D. Hall. Half Day.

19

The day was uneventful and observed in the usual way.

20

Today being Cambrai Day it was as far as possible under the existing circumstances observed as a free day.

21

A Bde. Sigs. exercise was carried out today. The CO, Adjt., 2^nd in comnd., Bn. IO and all Sqn. Comds. took part.

22

1700

Troop training Sqn. Comds. conference.

23

Troop training went on otherwise the day was uneventful

24-27

Troop training.

28

A Bde. sig. exercise was carried out today.

The CO attended a lecture on Poland in the afternoon.

29

Practice turnouts were carried out by “A” Sqn., “B” Sq. and HQ Sqn.

30

0930; Bde. practice turn out all units to be at their RV.

Bde. Comd. inspected the unit at its RV.

December 1939

Commanding Officer: 

Harpenden 

1

Tp training continues, otherwise the day was uneventful

2

CO visited all Sqns and inspected B Sqn’s tank park which is now situated at Grove Farm.

3

NTR

4

1430. Sqn comds’ conference. Training exercise for Bde Sigs operators carried out by bde. Tp training continues in the unit.

5

Tp training continues in the unit though the work is somewhat held up by the weather conditions.

6

a Bn wireless scheme was carried out during the morning from immobile stas.

7

A Bde concentration exercise had to be cancelled because of fog and ice.

8

A very wet day making work outside impossible. The CO etc attended a Bde debate on Sqn organisation at Luton.

9-10

NTR

11

Major H N Winship posted to 101 OCTU wef 10.12.39

Capt B Carey posted to 22 Hvy Armd Bde wef 12.12.39

12

CO visited Daimler works to see new scout cars, also BSA works to see BSA Gun Tp training.

13-14

NTR

15

CO attended a conference at Bde HQ re a possible move to Thetford.

16

 CO inspected C Sqn tanks

17-31

NTR

29

Lt J C Jackson to unpaid acting Capt wef 12.12 39