War Diaries – 11th to 20th June 1943
11th June
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
A quiet day.
1800 Discussion on “Lessons of the Campaign”.
1900 Concert by 152 Field Ambulance concert part in the cinema at Guelma.
Major JH Coldwell-Horsfall re-joined the bttn from hospital. Lt JB Cammiade, Lt GF Ash, 2/Lt WG Fielding joined the bttn.
2 LIR.
Three Officers and 20 NCOs attended the Course Number 2 at the Brigade Battle School.
W/Lieutenant KDH Rowlette and W/Lieutenant M Tasker promoted A/Captain.
12th June
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
Nothing to report during the day.
Bttn played a football match against A & SH.
6 Innisks – HELIOPOLIS.
Bttn Sports Meeting. A Company won Company prize.
Captain DK McCaldin MC returned to bttn on recovery from wounds.
2 LIR.
Lieutenant Clark in charge of a party of Officers and NCOs per company to go to Phillipeville to inspect LST and MLC.
13th June
Brigade HQ – GUELMA.
Demonstration of Recce and Group drill at Divisional HQ.
W/Lieut WJ Concannon (193879), RUR, posted to this HQ as LO vice 89181 W/Lieut Seymour, RUR, to 2 LIR.
Liaison Officers’ course ended.
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
A quiet day. Training continued as per programme.
Received warning of impending visit by the Secretary State for War.
2 LIR.
Company Training.
14th June
Brigade HQ – GUELMA.
Divisional Intelligence course began. All Bttn and Brigade HQ Intelligence personnel attended. Programme attached.
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
A quiet day. Training continued.
No 6 Section 10 Platoon C Coy won the inter section shooting competition.
Lt OPB Jewell joined the bttn, Lieuts RH Richardson, A Smith and RG Wilkin joined the bttn.
Nothing to report. Bathing under coy arrangements was carried out.
6 Innisks – HELIOPOLIS.
Lieut A Ferriss appointed assistant Adjutant.
2 LIR.
Intelligence Section attended divisional intelligence course. Duration four days.
T/Captain DHM Davies (Welsh), T/Captain JKH Culverhouse (RE), W/Lieutenant GT Griffiths (RWK) W/Lieutenant EJ Griffiths (Welsh) joined battalion from X(iv) list.
T/Captain KS Grannell (RUR) joined battalion from RWK.
T/Captain WH Westcott admitted to hospital.
Seven Officers and 27 NCOs attended Course Number 3 at the Brigade Battle School.
15th June
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
Visit by Secretary of State for War cancelled.
Training cancelled.
2 LIR.
Three Company Commanders, 3 Platoon Commanders, and 4 Platoon Sergeants attended courses at 18 Army Group Battle School.
16th June
Brigade HQ – GUELMA.
Brigade Support Group arrived (1st Kensingtons) in area 691069. Brigade Support Group organisation attached.
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
Nothing to report. Some vehicles went to MT shops. Capt PT Proctor, 2/Lt GL Richards, Lieut GF Ash left to attend 18th Army Battle School.
Warning orders saying General Montgomery would speak to all officers tomorrow.
2 LIR.
2’’ Mortar Course for all Platoon detachments under the 2 i-c. Duration 2 days.
17th June
Brigade HQ – GUELMA.
0700 Advance transport party left for new training sector.
1100 Visit of HM the King to 78 Division. All available HQ personnel took their place lining the Bone-Guelma road. The King, accompanied by Sir James Grigg, passed at 1345hrs on his way to lunch at HQ 78 Division. After lunch, the visitors returned to Bone.
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
Bttn lined the route for the visit of His Majesty the King.
Reinforcement company came into being.
6 Innisks – HELIOPOLIS.
The bttn lined the road outside the camp on the occasion of the visit of HM the King to inspect 78 Division.
2 LIR.
Company training.
18th June
Brigade HQ – GUELMA.
Division I course ended. “Reference Point” Map References Code came into use.
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
A quiet day. Nothing to report.
6 Innisks – HELIOPOLIS.
Waterloo Day. Training continued as usual for a future Waterloo. Football March – Officers v Sergeants. Waterloo night celebrated in traditional manner in Officers’ and Sgts’ messes. Brigadier Russell and Lt-Col Butler were guests. There was considerable numbers of cases of mild dysentery caused by flies, which are as bad as the heat and the dust.
2 LIR.
HM The King visited the division. The battalion lined the route to Divisional HQ and the King spoke to Brigade Command Group including the Commanding Officer – Lieutenant Colonel TPD Scott.
19th June
Brigade HQ – GUELMA.
Brigade TEWT for COs’ and Commanders’ supporting arms. Main purpose to introduce the Brigade Support Group. Object, opening narrative and tracing of area attached.
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
PIAT demonstration for all officers and ORs down to the rank of platoon Sergeants at the Brigade Training Camp.
Nothing further to report. Restarted training programmes.
6 Innisks – HELIOPOLIS.
Bttn inter platoon shoot. Bttn HQ were the team winners. A Plate shoot was won by officers.
2 LIR.
Warning Order received. Advance Party to move on 21st to new area at Hammamet. (This was later postponed to 23rd).
Died on this Day:
Rifleman James Carr, London Irish Rifles.
20th June
Brigade HQ – GUELMA.
Lieut Cole returned from instructing at Brigade Junior Leaders’ Course.
1 RIrF – GUELMA.
A quiet day. Nothing to report.
1800 Lecture on RT procedures by Bttn Signals Officer.
6 Innisks – HELIOPOLIS.
The officers of the bttn entertained in the Sgts’ Mess.
2 LIR.
T/Captain WH Westcott re-joined battalion from hospital.
T/Captain Findlater admitted to hospital.