1 RIrF – July 1944

1^st July – CASTLE 475881.

Admin received move order No 13 – 38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade, followed by amendment.

1040 Issue bttn move order No 8.

2^nd July – CASTLE 475881.

0630 Left castle. Brigade SP 0730 hrs.

1830 Bttn consolidated area 8873.

3^rd July – TIVOLI.

Day leaves to Rome. Four Canadian officers joined bttn. Major Clark MC i/c bttn. Telegram conveying congratulations of Division and Brigade Commander to Father Dan on award of MC.

4^th/5^th July – TIVOLI.

Continue day leaves.

6^thJuly – TIVOLI.

Advance parties from 56 Division arrived.

7^th July – TIVOLI.

PT interior economy. Day leaves.

8^th July – TIVOLI.

Massed bands of 38^th Brigade beat Retreat on the square of Barberini Palace, followed by brigade dance.

9^th July – TIVOLI.

Lt-Col JH Coldwell Horsfall assumed command. Divisional audience with the Pope. Carriers handed over. Advance party left for Taranto.

10^thJuly – TIVOLI.

Entrain at Rome for Taranto. Captain Hodsell and Lieut Room left bttn.

11^th/12^th July.

En route

13^th July.

0530 Arrived at Taranto. Breakfast on track side.

1000 Reached Divisional Transit Camp. Clean and settle.

14^th July.

Day leaves to Taranto. Light training and sports.

15^thJuly.

Continues above.

16^th July.

Orders received to move on 17^th.

17^thJuly.

0800 Berthing party moved off.

1500 Bttn moved off.

1630 Embarked on MS Durban Castle.

18^thJuly.

1300 Sailed.

19^th to 21^st July.

En route in convoy.

22^ndJuly – PORT SAID.

1800 Docked.

23rdJuly – QASSASSIN.

0630 Disembarked and proceeded by train.

1500 Arrived at Qassassin. Major Crehan and Captain Chambers S/O to No 1 General Hospital. Major N Chance rejoined unit.

24^thJuly – QASSASSIN.

Light training. PT drilling etc. Adopted pre war routine.

25^th July – QASSASSIN.

Five day leaves to Cairo, Alexandria and Ishmalia. Lieut Beamish rejoined bttn.

26^thJuly – QASSASSIN.

Light training and day leaves.

27^th July – QASSASSIN.

Continuing.

28^th July – QASSASSIN.

Brigade conference.

29^th July – QASSASSIN.

Continue light training.

30^th/31^st July – QASSASSIN.

Received reinforcements.

Irish Brigade