| Instructions regarding War Diaries and Intelligence Summaries are contained in F.S. Regs., Vol. 1. and the Staff Manual respectively Title pages will be prepared in manuscript. |
WAR DIARY or INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY |
Army Form C.2118 |
| Unit: 3rd R. Tks. | ||
| Month and Year: January 1944 | (Erase heading not required). | Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. DAH Silvertop, MC |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHIPPENHAM | 1 | Major J.A. Watts assumes command of attachment. 2 Officers and 36 O.Rs return from leave. Strength of Returned Bn. now 137. | ||
| 2 | 5 Officers and 78 O.Rs return from leave. Strength of detachment 220. | |||
| 3 | Routine. Lt. T.M.E. Maloney as A/Adjt. pending return of Capt. J.H. Balharrie MC. | |||
| 4 | 0800 | Routine, Rear party proceed on leave. | ||
| 5 | 6 Officers and 18 O.Rs return from leave, strength now 244. | |||
| 6 | 1430 | General Anderson visits Bde Ceremonial Parade at MOULTON PADDOCK. Major Watts and Lt. Hudswell and 30 O.Rs represent Bn. | ||
| 6 | 2000 | Mobile Cinema in HQ Mess room showing “The More the Merrier”. 4 Officers and 40 O.Rs return from leave. | ||
| 7 | 8 Officers and 167 O.Rs return from leave. Strength now 463. | |||
| 7 | 1000 | Mobile Cinema showing educational films “World of Plenty”, “Tellermine” & “Dakota”. | ||
| 7 | 1430 | Repeat performance of educational films. Major Close MC assumes command until relieved by a more senior officer. | ||
| CHIPPENHAM | 8 | Major H.L. Upcott-Gill assumes command. 2 Officers & 74 O.Rs return from leave. | ||
| 9 | Services – Chippenham Parish Church. Mass for R.C.s Newmarket. 1 Officer and 38 O.Rs return from leave. | |||
| 9 | 0800 | Major J.A. Watts to York to see Command Tank demonstration. Authority 621/16/G (SD) dated 1 Jan 44 by 30 Corps. | ||
| 10 | Lt. Col. D.A.H. Silvertop MC returned from leave reassumes command. Capt. J.C. Balharrie MC reassumes appointment as Adjt. The following appointments are announced;- Sports Officer – Lt. N.F.F. Kent. Ass. Sports Officer – Lt. J.F. Langdon. Entertainments Officer – Capt. E.F.W. Gilboy. Education Officer – Lt. W.T. Brookes. Fire Officer – Lt. J. McG. Rylands. Transport Officer – Lt. A. Carter. | |||
| 11 | 1100 | Sgts Mess Meeting held. | ||
| 11 | 1830 | 30 seats reserved in Masonic Hall Newmarket – Lecture by Dr David Thompson on “The Problem of Japan”. | ||
| CHIPPENHAM | 12 | 0930 | Court of Enquiry to enquire into circumstances by which 321621 Tpr Cox lost his revolver. President – Capt. A.B. Hayter, Members Lt. Thompson, Lt. W.M. McFarlan. Witnesses – Capt. B.J. Hamill, L/Sgt Hill, A. Lt. C.G. Dear appointed Bn. Salvage Officer. 3 Officers return from leave. | |
| 13 | Officers hand in M.E.F. identity cards and draw AF B2606. 1 Officer and 1 O.R. return from dis-embarkation leave. Bn. Officers are now with the unit in full strength. | |||
| 14 | 1000 | The C.O. inspects Mess rooms – Barrack rooms – Squadron offices and areas of “A” & “B” Sqdns. | ||
| 14 | 1030 | Regimental Mess Committee Meeting – 1 Junior N.C.O. & 1 man from each sqdn. | ||
| 14 | 1700 | Officers Mess Meeting held. O.R. reinforcements arrive. | ||
| 15 | 1000 | The C.O. inspects HQ & C Squadron areas etc. | ||
| 15 | 1400 | Bn Rugby trial “C” Sqdn v. Rest. | ||
| CHIPPENHAM | 16 | 0900 | R.C. Services in Bn Theatre. Other services in Chippenham Parish Church. | |
| 17 | Cheque for £57.10.6. sent to Cpl. Jolly (late “A” Sqdn) from Officers, NCOs and men. | |||
| 18 | 1430 | Mobile Library visits unit being part of facilities laid on by W.V.S. | ||
| 19 | 0930 | Audit Board assembles to audit (a) P.R.I. (b) Officers Mess (c) Sergeants Mess A/Cs. President – Major Barker MC. Members – Capt Dingwall, Lt. Maloney. | ||
| 19 | 1100 | Lecture on “Ireland” in Bn. Theatre. | ||
| 19 | 1430 | Bn Rugby Trial “A” Team v. “B” Team. Capt. S.M. Johnston regranted Temp. rank of Major wef 7.1.44. | ||
| 20 | Major J.A. Watts relinquishes command of “HQ” Sqdn and assumes command of “B” Sqdn. Major S.M. Johnston assuming command of “HQ” Sqdn. Lt. T.M.E. Maloney appointed Bn. Security Officer. | |||
| 20 | 0900 | Capt. G.E. Instone MM, of MI lectured Bn on “Conduct If Cut Off from Unit or Captured”. | ||
| 21 | Routine. | |||
| 22 | Reinforcements arrive. The C.O. congratulates 7886183 Sgt. Wayte, F on the latter’s ‘Mention in Despatches’. | |||
| 23 | 0745 | 7933195 Tpr Fulton, D. proceeds on Cooks Refresher Course No. A 3OR/1 | ||
| 23 | 0845 | Lt. R.C. Watt and 9 O.Rs start for No. 3 Special Driving Course. Duration of course 23.1.44 – 29.1.44. | ||
| 23 | 0900 | R.C. Service – Bn. Theatre. | ||
| 23 | 1000 | C of E. – Chippenham Parish Church. | ||
| 24 | The C.O. holds a tactical discussion. Lt. R.Q. Rahtz appointed Bn Legal Adviser. | App I/4 | ||
| 25 | Routine. | |||
| 26 | 1430 | Bn Football Team trial. | ||
| 27 | Capt. D. Symons posted to RAC Depot Catterick. | |||
| 28 | Two recreation rooms for information – reading & writing opened in camp. Open to all ranks. | |||
| 29 | Lt. R.Q. Rahtz appointed Assistant Adjutant. | |||
| CHIPPENHAM | 29 | 1430 | Hockey match 3 R. Tks v. RAFV at Mildenhall. | App I/5 |
| 30 | 0745 | 7933240 Cpl. Syme, D. proceeded on Cooks Refresher Course No. A 3OR/1. | ||
| 30 | 0900 | Services | ||
| 30 | 2050 | 3 R. Tks. Movement Order No. 1. issued. Lt. Ponsford posted to RAC Depot Catterick. | ||
| 31 | 1345 | Squadrons move off as detailed in Movement Order No. 1. above. |
Disclaimer: This War Diary is based on its original, but typos might be corrected. For historical research, always check the originals.
