War Diaries of CC Battery, Royal Horse Artillery

1940

 

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October 1940

Commanding Officer: Capt. G. R. A. Wixley.
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices

Dunmow,

Essex

 23   The 3rd Battery of the 5th Regiment R.H.A. was formed on Tuesday 19/11/40. On the morning of that day a small cadre of 'G' and 'K' Batteries R.H.A. were posted including Capt. G. R. A. Wixley R.H.A., in command , 2nd/Lt W. H. H. Allen R.H.A. B.S.M. Fay and B.Q.M.S Prest, all of 'G' Battery. This cadre of sub-divided between Battery H.Q. and the Gun Group, the former going to Brook End and the latter to Barnston Rectory. On the afternoon of 19/11/40, 45 gunners were posted to the Battery, the majority of whom were recruits with only 4 weeks service. All these gunners were posted to the Gun Group at Barnston Rectory  
  20   On Wednesday 20/11/40 Capt. E. J. V Williams R.H.A. of K Battery R.H.A. was posted to the Battery and assigned command of the Gun Group at Barnston Rectory. On the same day 27 Signallers from the 38th Signal Training Regt R.A. were posted to the Battery and all were allotted to Battery HQ  

 

November 1940

Commanding Officer: Capt. J Fairclough R.H.A.
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices

Dunmow,

Essex

 19-23   At Brook End. The training of the week consisted of the laying out of kits, marching drill and P.T.  
  23   On Saturday 23/11/40, the Battery was inspected by the C.O. On this day B.S.M. Gunison was posted to the Battery  
  24   On Sunday, Capt. J Fairclough R.H.A. was posted to the Battery from 10th Field Regiment R.A. and assumed command.   
  27   The main event of week was the formation of C and H Troops, which took place on Wednesday 27/11/40. Before this time the battery was divided into two parts, H.Q. at Brook End and the Gun Group at Barnston Rectory. Additional personnel including B.S.M Scott were posted from 'G' and 'K' Batteries and the Gun Group was divided into 'C' Troop commanded by Capt. G. R. A. Wixley R.H.A with B.S.M. Fay and 'H' Troop commanded by Capt. E. J. V Williams R.H.A. with B.S.M Scott. 'H' Troop remained at Barnston Rectory and 'C' Troop moved to Folley Farm.  
  28   On Thursday 24 gunners were posted to the Battery, These were all very raw recruits, most with only 1 weeks service. They were posted equally to 'C' and 'H' Troops.

The training throughout the week was devoted to Marching Drill, P.T. and laying out of kit.

  

 

December 1940

Commanding Officer: Capt. J Fairclough R.H.A.

Dunmow, Essex
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices

Dunmow,

Essex

 1   The training throughout the week was devoted as last week, to Marching Drill, Rifle Drill, etc. Skeleton Gun Drill with forms Tins and Beer bottles was started on Thursday.  
  3   One 30 cwt lorry was transferred to the battery from 'G' Battery, two 15 cwt trucks from 'K' Battery, making the the vehicle strength , 2 utility vans, 2 15 cwt trucks, one car, 2 30 cwt lorries and one unpressed van.  
  5   2nd Lieut. P. M. Victory joined the Battery from 121 O.C.T.U and was posted to H.Q.  
  7   The Colonel inspected the whole Battery.  
  8   Training continued with Gun Drill, Marching Drill, P.T.  
  10   A draft of 27 Drivers was posted to the Battery from Bullford and Bacton Training Regiments.  
  11   2/Lt. Victory was posted to R.H.Q. and 2/Lt R Stone was posted to his place from R.H.Q.

The Battery beat 'K' Battery at soccer at Dunmow 6 - 3.

  
  14   A the Advance parties consisting of 2/Lt Stone, Sgt Murray and others left for Yorkshire.  
  15   The time was spend in Rifle and Marching Drill and Gun Drill and preparing for the move to Yorkshire.  
  18   Rail party left Dunmow at 0940 and arrived in Silsden, Yorkshire, that night at about 2000 hrs. The road parties left at 0900 and the arrived at Silsden on 19th   
Silsden  19   The Battery was for the first time together. The billets and Gun Park were both excellent and the people of Silsden received them very well.  
  21   The first two guns arrived. They were American 18/75mm with wooden arty wheels.  
Silsden  22   A Battery church Parade was held at Silsden Parish Church at 10.30.  
  23-24   Individual training  
  25   Christmas Day. 10.30 Soccer Match v Old Guard Battery. Won 12 - 2. Christmas Dinner 12.30. In the afternoon the men went to the homes of local people.  
  26   Morning; An infantry scheme, Afternoon; Soccer Sgts V Gunners. Gunners won. A Battery Dance with the Battery Band was held at the church school.  
  27-31   Individual Training and inspections.  

 

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