War Diary of 1st Royal Tank Regiment 1946

January 1946 Commanding Officer: Lt Col G Gaisford DSO
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	5/1/46		Court on Inquiry convened ‘Loss of Polish Trailers’.
	8/1/46		Court of Inquiry convened ‘QL lorry No 552513 became frozen up’.
	10/1/46		Lt P Custance returned from LIAP.
	11/1/46		Lt Arding returns from 46th Infantry Div.
	16/1/46		Lt Hudson departs on release.
	18/1/46		Capts Helps and Tarbey return from LIAP.
	19/1/46		Capt Helps re-assumes duties of Adjt.
	22/1/46		Major MacLean MBE returns from LIAP.
	25/1/46		Capt Callan arrives to take up appointment as RTA vice Capt Cottrell. 4th RTR Advance party arrives.
	26/1/46		Capt Jackson departs on release. Major Banks departs for course in UK
	28/1/46		FGCM assembles – SQMS Venn, LCpl Crossland.

March 1946 Commanding Officer: Lt Col G Gaisford DSO
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	3/3/46		Lt Underwood posted to RASC.
	6/3/46		Lt field departs on CHP.
			Lt Lane posted to RASC.
			CO returns from MEF.
	7/3/46		CO re-assumes command of the Regt.
			Lt Col Gaisford assumes command of 2nd Armd Bde vice Brig Coombe absent on duty.
	8/3/46		Capt Shillinglaw MC and Capt Lucraft depart on release.
			62 reinforcements arrive.
	12/3/46		Major General Loewen visits Regt.
	18/3/46		2Lt Alexander arrives ex UK.
	19/3/46		Lt Bruce departs to 6th Armd Div HQ.
	24/3/46		Capt Curren departs to 2nd Armd Bde.
	25/3/46		2Lts Langston and Rowe arrive ex UK.
	29/3/46		FGCM Tpr Cryer and Tpr SOMMA.
			2Lt E Izard arrives ex UK.

April 1946 Commanding Officer: Lt Col G. Gaisford DSO
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
SCHIO	3		CO’s Conference 11.oo hrs.
	6		Regimental Soccer Match 2 R.Tanks v 6 R.Tanks
	9		Capt. Helps posted to “A” Swg	Pt.1 Order 220/46.
	10		Bde. League Soccer match, Bde. HQ v 6 R.Tanks.
	11		CO’s Conference at Bde.
	12		CO’s Conference at 09.00 hrs.
	17		CO and Sqn Leaders attend Lectures at School of Air Support.
	18		CO inspects Cadre Course.
	19		Easter Holiday
	22		Easter Holiday
	24		Conference at Bde. for Sqn Leaders in Victory Parade.
	25		CO’s Conference 14.30 hrs.
	26		CO’s Conference at Bde.
	29		Regimental Contingent of local Commemoration Parade.
	30		Tanks move to TRIESTE for VICTORT PARADE I.O. attends
			Conference at Corps.

May 1946 Commanding Officer: Lt Col G. Gaisford DSO
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
SCHIO	1		C.O. and Major Maclean’s Conference at Brigade about Victory Parade.
	2		Victory Parade at TRIESTE.
	3		Tanks return from TRIESTE with Regtl personnel
	6		Lieut. Haley 88th U.S. Div arrived for fortnight’s stay
	7		G.S.C. I visits Regt 1100 hrs.
	8		D.A.Q visits Regt.
	11		C.O’s Conference at Div, 1100 hrs.
	13		2/Lieut Holden and 2/Lieut Smith joined Regt ex U.K.	Pt. I Order 342/46
	14		C.O’s Conference at Bde.
	17		C.O’s Conference 1445 hrs.
	18		Major Wimbush arrives as new 2 i/c to Regt.
	20		Capt. Williams to U.K. on course. Lieut Davis joines Regt ex GREECE.
	21		Bde Comd visits Regt 1100 hrs – C.O. T.E.W.T.
	22		C.O’s T.E.W.T. Major Maclean goes to U.K/
	24		C.O’s Conference
	25		Major Taylor goes to U.K. on Course.
	27		I.O. on I.O’s Course at Corps.
	28		Bde Comd visits Regt
	29		4 R.T.R. Cooktail party
	31		Bde Sports held at SCHIO. 6 R Tks won by 16 pts from 4 R Tks.

June 1946 Commanding Officer: Lt Col G. Gaisford DSO
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
SCHIO		5.	Divisional and Brigade Commanders visit the Regiment. Regimental Hockey/
			Match 4 R. Tanks v 6 R. Tanks.
		6.	Divisional Sports.
		7.	Divisional Sports.
		8.	Regimental Contingent on London Victory Parade.
		10.	Whit Monday Holiday.
		12	Commanding Officers Conference.
		13.	Advance party to Summer Training Area.
		14.	Traffic Control Scheme on Divisional Move.
		15.	CO and Adjutant visit New Area.
		17.	Brigade Commander visits New Area.
		18.	Main Party of Regiment moves to New Area
		19	CO’s Conference at Brigade.
		21	Captain Hesegood departs on Python and Release.
		22.	Lt Gabb join Regiment ex Greece.
		24.	Last Squadron arrives in New Area.
		25.	Lt Col G. GAISFORD DSO departs Course to UK. Major A.C.G. Wimbush assumes command of the Regiment.
		29.	Commanding Officers Parade and Lines Inspection. Capt R.I. Brown appointed Adjutant vice Capt G.R.D. Arding MC absent of leave,

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1942	1943	1944	1945

February 1946 Commanding Officer: Lt Col G Gaisford DSO
Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
	4/2/46		24 reinforcements arrive.
	9/2/46		Capt AM Taylor MC joins the Regt.
	14/2/46		Capt Templeton and Lt Johnston depart on release.
	18/2/46		Major MacLean assumes command of the Regt.
			Lt Arding MC departs on recce of the firing range at CORVA in BADIA. Recce unsuccessful due to snow.
	26/2/46		Lt Cotterill departs to RASC.
	27/2/46		Lt Crampton departs on LIAP and then to RASC on return.

Home	1939	1940	1941
1942	1943	1944	1945