2 Innisks – August 1944

2nd August – SIDI BISHR.

1200 Notification of the following awards for the Anzio fighting:

Captain PJ Long, MC.

Lieut RW Brackenridge, MC.

6983390 L/CplA Godber, MM. 


4th August – SIDI BISHR.

Advance party 38 (Irish) Brigade arrive Sidi Bishr. Bttn provides working parties etc, to complete camps for Brigade Group.


6th August – SIDI BISHR.

1400 Brigadier TPD Scott, DSO, Commander 38 (Irish) Brigade visits Bttn HQ.


7th August – SIDI BISHR.

1800 Main body of 38th Brigade arrive. 6 Innisks had had a very trying and exhausting journey and arrived at 2130 hrs. A hot body had been arranged by 190 Transit Camp for the bttn on arrival.


9th August – SIDI BISHR.

Lt Col J Kerr, MC, admitted to No 3 General Hospital.


10th August – SIDI BISHR.

Official date of disbandment and amalgamation of 6 Innisks. 2 Innisks now take their place in 38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade.

The following are commands and appointments of officers of 2 Innisks:

CO – Lt Col RWH Scott (2 Innisks).

2 I/C – Major J Kerr MC (6 Innisks), who relinquishes rank of Lt Col.

Adjutant – Captain RT Irving (2 Innisks).

IO – Lieut JP Scarratt (2 Innisks).

HQ Coy.

OC – Captain BH McCorkell (2 Innisks).

Signals – Captain DL Cole, MC (2 Innisks).

MTO – Lieut JJ McConnell (2 Innisks), who relinquishes rank of Captain.

QM – Captain D Dawson (2 Innisks).

Pioneers – Lieut MA Casey (2 Innisks).

A Coy.

Major EH Cochrane (2 Innisks).

Captain RB Myles (6 Innisks), who relinquishes rank of Major.

Lieut MG Murray (2 Innisks).

Lieut DP Farrell (2 Innisks).

Lieut CJ Heather (2 Innisks).

B Coy.

Major JD Nixon (2 Innisks).

Lieut RT O’Connor (6 Innisks) who relinquishes the rank of Captain.

Lieut AG Gladitz (6 Innisks).

Lieut PJ Brady (2 Innisks).

C Coy.

Major PJ Blake, MC (2 Innisks).

Captain J Duane, MC (2 Innisks).

Lieut GH Murray (2 Innisks).

Lieut TJ Trainor, MM (2 Innisks).

Lieut RJ Shields (2 Innisks).

D Coy.

Major HE Mathew (6 Innisks).

Captain PJ Long, MC (2 Innisks).

Lieut JM Campbell (6 Innisks).

Lieut JH Bradfield (6 Innisks), who relinquishes rank of Captain.

Lieut RW Brackenridge, MC (2 Innisks).

S Coy.

Captain AW Kendall (6 Innisks), who relinquishes rank of Major.

A/Tk – Captain AWB Vincent (2 Innisks).

Lieut WS Pollard (6 Innisks), who relinquishes the rank of Captain.

Carriers – Lieut FHK Smith (2 Innisks), who relinquishes the rank of Captain.

Lieut AC O’Reilly (6 Innisks).

Mortars – Captain PS Anderson (6 Innisks).

R Coy.

Captain PA Hamilton, MC (6 Innisks), who relinquishes the rank of Major.

Captain GCG Ree (2 Innisks).

Lieut PIM Foort (2 Innisks).

Lieut DP Dicker (6 Innisks), who relinquishes the rank of Captain.

First line reinforcements are held and form R Coy.


14th August – SIDI BISHR.

General Sir B Paget (C in C, MEF) visits camp.


20th August – SIDI BISHR.

Brigade Commander holds conference for COs on Tank Cooperation.


21st August – SIDI BISHR.

The following immediate awards for 6 Innisks for Gustav Line fighting announced:

MC – Captain RB Myles, Lieut J Sorrell.

MM – 6983533 Cpl R Hadden (with bar), 6975993 CSM J Thompson.


22nd August – SIDI BISHR.

Lieut HR Giles and 12 ORs rejoin bttn from HQ 13 Infantry Brigade.


23rd August – SIDI BISHR.

Message from Lt Col HEN Bredin DSO MC, OC 2 LIR:

“I want to try and convey to you and particularly the men of the old 6th Bttn how much that I feel that my DSO is a tribute to the Inniskillings rather than a matter of personal consideration. I should like to thank all these soldiers, who made it so easy for me to deliver the goods.”


25th August – SIDI BISHR.

The following immediate awards to 6 Innisks announced:

MC – Captain PA Hamilton.

MM – 4980258 L/Cpl W Ayre, 6350578 Fusilier W Perry.

Captain PJ Long MC and Lieut AH Burton and Advance Party leave for embarkation.


26th August – SIDI BISHR.

Captain AWB Vincent and Lieut JJ McCorkell with Bttn MT leave for embarkation.


27th August – SIDI BISHR.

Brigade Commander holds Sand Table exercise at Brigade HQ. CO, 2 I/C, Coy Commanders, Adjutant, IO and Signals Officer attend.


31st August – SIDI BISHR.

C in C MEF visits bttn and watches demonstration by Lieut Trainor and his platoon on patrolling.