December
| PLACE | DATE | SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION | REFERENCES TO APPENDICES |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARTER BARRACKS BULFORD | 1 Dec 43 | Foggy in the morning. HQ Coy personnel on the Ranges. Coys training as per syllabi. Mortar platoon fired 3" mortar all afternoon. | |
| 2 Dec 43 | Cold all day. Coy training as per syllabi. MMG Pl fired Vickers MG all afternoon. The A/Tk Pl practiced firing the Pist A/TK gun. A movie was shown in the Gym by the Y.M.C.A. Supervisor, Mr Plewman. A large number of personnel attended this movie. | ||
| 3 Dec 43 | Clear and warm during the day. The Int Sec and a party from the Mortar Pl decorated the gym for a dance to be held by HQ Coy and Bn HQ. Coy training as per syllabi. A movie was shown in the Gym and there was a large audience. Promotion Board increased the N.C.O. strength of the Unit by 5 L/Sgts, 9 A/Cpls and II L/Cpls. Lt. W.P. Croxford TOS from No 1 C.A.S.C.R.U. | ||
| 4 Dec 43 | Clear and warm all day. There was a training inspection by Gen. Sir Bernard Paget, KCB, DSO, MC, C in C 21 Army Gp and other high ranking officers. The Mortar Pl fired dummy rounds on a target for this inspection. The A/TK Pl also fired dummys on a target. Coys training as per syllabi. B Coy went on a 36 hour week-end leave. A dance was held in the evening by HQ Coy and Bn HQ. Partners were brought to the dance from nearby towns. Refreshments were served during the intermission. The dance was a great success. | ||
| 5 Dec 43 | Warm and clear all day. All personnel in Camp preparing for an Inspection by Brig. Gen. Hill, Comd of the 3 Para Bde. A parade was held in the afternoon to check the dress of all personnel for the inspection. The 2i/c of the Bn, Major J.A. Nicklin, briefed all personnel of the Bn who are scheduled to make a mass jump of the 8th of Dec. | ||
| 6 Dec 43 | Very cold and cloudy. In the morning, an inspection was held by Brig. Hill of the 3 Para Bde. He visited all billets, messes, lecture rooms and the NAAFI. Capt Hart, the Bde IO visited the Bn Briefing Room. Training in the afternoon as per syllabi. Supervisor T.V. Lambert att f.a.p. as new Spvr, replacing Spvr G.E. Plewman who has done such good work in the Bn. | ||
| 7 Dec 43 | Clear all day and slightly cold. Coy training as per syllabi in the morning. A,C and HQ Coys packed containers for the forthcoming mass jump. A/TK Pl went on a two day exercise. B Coy training as per syllabi in the afternoon. Cpl T.J. Keenen TOS from No 1 CGRU as ED Cpl. | ||
| 8 Dec 43 | Slight rain and foggy all day. Reveille this morning at 0500 hrs. Personnel embused at 0700 hrs and proceeded to different airports. Containers were loaded at 0915 hrs. Emplaning is to be at 1200 hrs. Personnel waited at airports for emplaning and take-off orders. Due to very poor visibility, the jump was postponed until the next day. All personnel returned to Camp with the exception of B Coy who went to the DZ on an exercise. | Appendix 2 ex "PROCEDURE" | |
| 9 Dec 43 | Very foggy during the day with slight rain. Personnel who are to make the mass jump embussed at 0930 hrs and proceeded to the Airports. Due to bad visibility, the jump was postponed until a future day, containers were unloaded and all personnel returned to the Barracks. B Coy returned from their exercise at the DZ. Lts. T.J. Quirk and P.M. Pyne TOS from 30 Recce Regt. (Essex). | ||
| 10 Dec 43 | Cloudy and foggy in the morning, clear the remainder of the day. Coys training as per syllabi. A/TK Pl went on a 20 mile run and the Int Sec acted as guides along the route. The IO and the I Sgt went on a recce of the 100 mile march which is to take place in the near future. The CO, Lt Col G.F.P. Bradbrooke took over temporary command of the 3rd Para Bde in the absence of Brig. S.J.L.Hill. Maj D.J. Wilkins left for a senior Officer's course at Brasnose College, Oxford. | ||
| 11 Dec 43 | Clear and cold all day. C Coy went on a 20 mile run and the I Sec acted as guides. A and B Coys training as per syllabi. A 36 hr leave was granted to all personnel. | ||
| 12 Dec 43 | Clear and cold all day. A Voluntary Church Parade was held for all personnel who did not go on leave. A movie was shown in the gym. Lts. W.R. Hick and R.G. McLean were SOS to Nos 2 and 1 C.I.R.Us. 7 Officers att AFD and S, Hardwick. | ||
| 13 Dec 43 | Cold and cloudy all day. HQ Coy personnel on the Rifle Ranges. Coys training as per syllabi. B Coy and Medical Sec went on the 20 mile run with the I Sec as guides. In the evening, a movie was shown in the gym. Maj C.E. Fuller TOS from 2 Cdn Div Sp Bn as OC B Coy. | ||
| 14 Dec 43 | Clear and cold all day. Int Sec started Div Int course No 2. The course in taking place at the Div Information Room. HQ Coy went on the 20 mile run. All Coys training as per syllabi. Maj G.F. Eadie TOS from 2 C.I.R.U. as OC A Coy. Maj D.H. Taylor SOS to 1 C.G.R.U. and att f.a.p. from 1 C.G.R.U. to this Unit and posted to Bn HQ. | ||
| 15 Dec 43 | Clear and cold all day. Int Sec attending Div course No 2. C Coy on the 20 mile run and the Coys training as per syllabi. All personnel except HQ Coy were paid in the evening. A movie was shown in the gym and a large number attended. The CO returned to command the Bn from A/Comd 3 Para Bde and Maj J.A. Nicklin ceases to be A/CO. | ||
| 16 Dec 43 | Cloudy and cold all day. Int Sect attending Div Int course. Coys training as per syllabi. HQ Coy personnel were paid in the evening. All personnel were briefed for exercise "Shilo" which is to take place on the 18th and 19th of Dec. | ||
| 17 Dec 43 | Cloudy and warmer during the day. I Sec attending Div Int course. Coys training as per syllabi. A movie was shown in the evening in the gym. | ||
| 18 Dec 43 | Clear in the morning, a slight rain in the afternoon and evening. All personnel preparing for the night exercise. All ranks were issued with one pair of socks donated by the Cdn Red Cross. Supper was at 1630 hrs. The CO briefed all personnel on the night exercise. Bn embussed at 1830 hrs and proceeded to the exercise area. Arrived at area at 2020 hrs and established defensive positions. All personnel entrenched and waited for the attack. 20 ORs att AFD and S, Hardwick. | Appendix 1 Ex. "SHILO" | |
| 19 Dec 43 | "Exercise Shilo" Rain started at 0100 hrs and continued through the night. O.Ps. were set up at all Coy areas and Scouting parties were sent out during the night. A detachment of R.Es. laid out a dummy mine field. First report of an attack was received at 0330 hrs. The enemy attacked C Coy positions at 0340 hrs. During the attack, the enemy flanked C Coy and were encountered by A Coy. At 0430 hrs, flares were sent up to end the battle. No other attacks were made during the night. Personnel remained in their trenches until 0900 hrs and then prepared breakfast. At 1200 hrs, orders were received to leave the area at 1400 hrs. Bn marched back to Camp and arrived at 1800 hrs. The CO and IO made an aerial recce at 1100 hrs. | ||
| 20 Dec 43 | Clear and cold all day. In the morning, all personnel cleaned their clothing and equipment. Coys training as per syllabi in the afternoon. A concert party gave a show to our benefit in the evening. The group is know as the Maple Leaf Concert Party and it is sponsored by the Cdn Army. | ||
| 21 Dec 43 | Clear in the morning, rain in the afternoon. Coys training as per syllabi. The Sgts had a Christmas party in the mess. The party was a success and everyone had a good time. The Maple Leaf Concert Party gave another show in the evening. | ||
| 22 Dec 43 | Clear and windy but warmer during the day. Coys training as per syllabi. 64 personnel from C Coy were to jump from Albemarle Aircraft and 20 of the men were to jump with Kit Bags for experimental purposes, but due to a high wind the jump was cancelled. The Maple Leaf Concert Party gave another show in the evening. | ||
| 23 Dec 43 | Clear and warm. Coy training as per syllabi. 64 personnel from C Coy jumped from Albermarles. 20 of these jumps were made with Kit Bags. Fatigue parties from all Coys decorated the gyms for the Xmas Eve Dance. | ||
| 24 Dec 43 | Clear and warm. Coys training as per syllabi. Fatigue parties decorated the gyms. The dance started at 2000 hrs. Partners were brought to the dance from nearby towns. Refreshments were served during the Intermission. Dance was a great success. | ||
| 25 Dec 43 | Clear and warm. Church parades were held for R.Cs. and Protestants. Christmas dinner was served by the Officers, WOs and Sgts. Beer was served and cigarettes were issues to all personnel. Six Officers returned from Ringway Para School (Qualified). First Xmas away from home and many of the men missed the Cdn Xmas. | ||
| 26 Dec 43 | Boxing Day and all at rest. Misty and warm. Voluntary Church Parade was held for all personnel. A movie was shown in the gym in the evening. | ||
| 27 Dec 43 | Cloudy and warm. Coys training as per syllabi. Another film was shown in the gym. Maj. H.A. Simmons ceased to be att from No 17 CBD Coy as Dental Officer. | ||
| 28 Dec 43 | Cloudy and warm all day. Coys training as per syllabi. All personnel of this Unit were inoculated for Typhus. A/TK Pl fired Piats on the Ranges. A Coy went on a small night exercise. Lt. J.S. Cooper ceases to be att from No 5 C.I.R.U. as MMG Instructor. | ||
| 29 Dec 43 | Clear and warm all day. Coys training as per syllabi. Mortar Pl practical firing the 3" Mortar. A/TK Pl fired the Piat on the Ranges. A movie was shown in the evening. | ||
| 30 Dec 43 | Clear and fairly warm. Coys training as per syllabi. A/TK Pl fired the Piat on the Ranges. MMG Pl trained with the Vickers MG. A movie was shown in the evening. | ||
| 31 Dec 43 | Clear and warm during the day. Coys trained in Battle Drill and Field Formations. A/TK Pl fired the Piat on the Ranges. Lt. L.J. Hachey ceases to be att from No 5 C.I.R.U. as MMG Instructor. Formation of the First Cdn Para Trg Coy as a seperate Unit from the Bn. Maj D.H. Taylor to command and all 1st reft personnel to include those surplus to the W.E. of the Bn, personnel in Hospital, Detention, medical catagoried, etc. |
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