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: February 1944 (Erase heading not required). Commanding Officer: Lt. Col. DAH Silvertop, MC
Place Date Hour Summary Reference
CHIPPENHAM 1   Routine
2 0930 Lt. W.E. Yates and 6 O.Rs proceeded on Regt. Wireless Course No. A 482 at D & M Wing AFV School. Lt. W.T. Brookes with 3 O.Rs proceeded on Crew Comds (Sherman V) course No. V 472.
2 1420 3 R. Tks Admin Instruction No. 1. issued. App I/6
3 0745 8 O.Rs posted to RAC Depot Catterick.
3 0930 Field General Court Marshal. Trial of 321792 Tpr. Davey, B.C. President Major J.H. Gardner, Staffs Yeo. Members – Capt. J.K. Holmes, Notts Yeo. Lt. I.F.M. Greenaway, Notts Yeo. Prosecuting Officer Capt. J.C. Balharrie MC. 3 R. Tks Defending Officer – Capt. A.B. Hayter, 3 R. Tks.
3 1155 3 R. Tks Movement Order No. 2. issued. App I/7
4   Routine.
5 0730 746558 Tpr. Johnson, G. proceeds to Detention Barracks, Sowerby Bridge, Yorks.
CHIPPENHAM 6 0530 Detachment of 24 Lancers arrive.
6 0745 Train party move off.
6 1542 Train party arrive at Bridlington.
BRIDLINGTON 7   Routine Rev. 0630 hrs. Breakfast “A” Sqdn 0700 hrs “B”, “C”, “HQ” 0730 hrs Sick Parade 0830 hrs. Parade 0830 – 1230 hrs. Dinner 1245 – 1315 Parade 1400 – 1630 Tea 1700 hrs. Guard (petrol) 1800 hrs Guard, Main. 1830 hrs. Supper 2000 hrs.
8 0830 Lt. T.M.E. Maloney to Corps for “I” Study Period.
8 1000 General Montgomery visits Bde. Ceremonial Parade held on Grammar School Grounds. He was particularly pleased to see his old friends of 3rd Tanks. “so many of my old friends”.
8 2000 Officers and all ranks invited to dance at Spa Theatre given by “B” Sqdn 23 Hussars – Sqdn Leader Major C.G. Seymour.
9 0830 Lt. T.M.E. Maloney to Corps for “I” Study Period.
10 1000 Brig. C.B.C. Harvey D.S.O. visits Bn. welcoming the 3rd to the 29th Armd Bde and renewing past friendships of the 8th Armd Bde.
BRIDLINGTON 10 1500 Major General G.B.B. Roberts, D.S.O., M.C., paid visit to Bn of an informal nature. Formerly Col. Of the Bn his visit was of particular interest.
10 1800 Officers Mess Meeting in “Chequers”.
11 1100 C.O. hold conference – reference exercise “Eagle”.
11 1530 C.O. addresses all tank commanders – reference exercise “Eagle”.
12 1200 C.O. & Officers attend 23 Hussars cocktail party. A social gathering successful in its object of opposite numbers getting to know each other.
12 1430 The C.O. holds final conference dealing with exercise “Eagle”.
13 0930 Services
13 1100 Bn. less rear party moves off on exercise “Eagle”.
13 1430 Lt. Hudswell takes ‘Special Service’ Parade.
13   Exercise “Eagle” – RHQ Bygot Farm 469626 OS 1” – 1 mile Sheet 28.
14   Routine. Parade 0830; Foot drill 0900. D & M classes 0930 – 1230, 1400 – 1630.
15   Routine. RHQ location exercise “Eagle” Tipthorpe Grange. 425770 OS 1” – 1 mile Sheet 28.
16   Routine. Four subalterns join Bn. on exercise “Eagle”. 2/Lt. C.T.W. Lindquist posted to “A” Sqdn. 2/Lt. P.R. Pells posted to “A” Sqdn. 2/Lt. S. Montgomery posted to “B” Sqdn. 2/Lt. R.F. Lemon posted to “C” Sqdn.
CHIPPENHAM 17 – 19   Routine.
20   Services. RHQ location, exercise “Eagle” South Belt Plantation 465685 OS 1” – 1 mile Sheet 28.
21   Routine.
22   Exercise “Eagle” RHQ location 414938 Pt.560 OS 1” – 1 mile Sheet 28.
22 1930 45 O.Rs invited to attend party held in Salvation Hall given by Girls Training Corps.
23   The following personnel congratulated on appearing in List of Mentions – London Gazette of 13 Jan 44; - Capt. J. Watts; Tpr. Tuffs, K; Sgt. Lister, S; Tpr. Wilde, J; Sgt. Dale, W; Major A.K.R. Doig; Sgt. Ellis; Tpr Cook; Sgt. Craik; Cpl. Williams.
24   Exercise “Eagle” RHQ location Mill Farm 502937.
24 1535 Exercise “Eagle” Cease Fire.
25 0010 Bn returns from exercise “Eagle”.
CHIPPENHAM 25 0900 The C.O. holds Sqdn Leaders conference.
26 0900 Court of Enquiry – to enquire into the circumstances by which Sherman Tank No. T 147484 was damaged by fire on 24 Feb. Pres. Major Upcott-Gill MC. Members Capt. G.A. Morris, Lt. H.O. Bennett.
26 1400 Sgts Mess meeting. Bde Commander congratulates Bn on march discipline of the night 24/25 Feb.
27   Services
28 1400 C.O. conference – subject promotions.
29   Major Carey formerly 2 i/c Bn pays friendly visit to Bn. renewing acquaintance with former friends of the campaign in Greece.

Disclaimer: This War Diary is based on its original, but typos might be corrected. For historical research, always check the originals.