No 3 (800) Infantry Tps Wksp REME War Diary 1944

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  1. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    WO171/2863 – No 3 (800) Inf Tps Wksp REME – 1944
    C.O.: Major CE Hebert

    1 June 1944 Five Oaks, Horsham
    40 ORs allowed to proceed to Horsham for half day (morning and afternoon).
    Weather fine, slight mist in morning.

    2 June 1944 Five Oaks, Horsham
    Rest periods as on 1st June. Remainder of personnel occupied in Veh Maint etc.
    Weather fine.

    3 June 1944 Five Oaks, Horsham
    Personnel occupied in cleaning of camp area. Weather fine. Appxs A & B

    4 June 1944 Five Oaks, Horsham
    Personnel occupied in cleaning of camp area. Weather fine.

    5 June 1944 Five Oaks, Horsham
    2200 Verbal instructions received from Q (M) SECO to move Aldershot. Weather, rain in morning, cloudy, visibility poor remainder of day.

    6 June 1944
    0800 ( D DAY). Movement order received from HQ Sussex Dist. Spent in packing of vehicles and clearance of area previous to move. 1 OR posted 318 Armd Bde Wksp REME on instructions from CREME 1 Corps Troops.
    1600 Vehicles positioned for move off.
    1630 Move off. Convoy proceeded via Bucksgreen, Dumsfold, Bramley, Compton.
    1900 Arrived Haig Residue Camp Aldershot, Vehicles dispersed and personnel accommodated under instructions of Camp Commandant. Weather fine rain in morning.
    2000 CREME 1 C.Tps informed location.

    7 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    (D + 1). Drivers, Vehicle mechs and Fitters allotted tasks on vehicles, remainder of personnel occupied on interior economy. Weather fine. Visit of 2 i/c CREME. OC visited units in neighbouring residue camps for purpose of arranging supervision of waterproofing.

    8 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    1215 (D + 2). 2 i/c CREME 1 C. Tps visited unit leaving map allocation for area of operations. Weather fine, rain in evening.

    9 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    (D + 3). Parties despatched to various units for purpose of supervising waterproofing. Weather heavy rain throughout the day.

    10 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    (D + 4). Waterproofing parties despatched as 9th June. Weather cloudy, visibility poor.
    Appxs C & D

    11 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    (D + 5). Weather fine.
    1030 Billets inspected by OC, personnel practiced packing of kit and equipment in accordance with experimental method (avoiding use of kit bag).
    12 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    (D + 6). Weather fine, residues of various units attached for admin. purposes.

    13 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    (D + 7). Weather, heavy rain, visibility poor. Waterproofing programme proceeding.

    14 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    (D + 8). Waterproofing programme proceeding. Weather, rainy.

    15 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    (D + 9). Waterproofing programme proceeding. Weather, rainy.

    16 June 1944 Haig Residue Camp Aldershot
    (D + 10).
    1000 Verbal warning order to move received from Sub Camp Comdt.
    1700 Movement order received. Vehicles positioned. Weather fine.

    17 June 1944
    (D + 11)
    0635 First phase of unit (141 personnel) left Veh Park, Convoy joined by 926 Rly BR Coy, 51 Lt Recy Sect. and 3 Br Lt Recy Sect. (100 vehicles in whole convoy). Captain EJ Parsons left at location in charge of 2nd phase personnel.
    0715 SP proceeded via Hale, Farham, Holt Pound, Borden Camp, Whitehill, Greatham, Liss, Sheet, Petersfield.
    0915 Arrived RCRP (Q 151373) and directed to Camp 11A in [‘A’] Marshalling Area.
    Vehicles positioned and personnel accommodated under camp arrangements.
    AFsW 5169 prepared in accord. with unit sheets (issued at RCRP together with embarkation cards).
    (Craft Serial TT 1106 LST (2)) 3 Br Lt Recy Sect allotted same craft under command of Major Herbert (OC Craft Serial). Weather fine.

    18 June 1944 Camp 11A. ‘A’ Marshalling Area.
    (D + 12). 7 ORs arrived on posting 54 RHU. Admin arrangements completed as far as possible (i.e. embarkation documentation). Unit now awaiting orders to proceed embarkation area. Weather fine.

    19 June 1944 Camp 11A. ‘A’ Marshalling Area.
    (D + 13)
    0900 OC attended conference of Craft Serial commanders. 1 OR ret. to 54 RHU, alien origin. 2 ORs struck off strength (1 surplus WE. 1 adm to hospital). Appxs E & F

    20 June 1944 Camp 11A. ‘A’ Marshalling Area.
    (D + 14). Weather fair.

    21 June 1944 Camp 11A. ‘A’ Marshalling Area.
    (D + 15). Weather fair.

    22 June 1944 Camp 11A. ‘A’ Marshalling Area.
    (D + 16)
    1015 Personnel attended showing of film on mine laying & disposal. Weather fair.


    23 June 1944 Camp 11A. ‘A’ Marshalling Area.
    (D + 17). Weather cloudy.

    24 June 1944 Camp 11A. ‘A’ Marshalling Area.
    (D + 18). Weather fair.

    25 June 1944 Camp 11A. ‘A’ Marshalling Area.
    (D + 19). Weather fair.
    2215 OC received orders proceed embarkation area A.

    26 June 1944
    (D + 20).
    0130 Convoy arrived Box 71 [‘A’ Embarkation Area] and directed straight to Hards.
    1200 Vehicle loading on to LST completed and embarkation documents passed to ESO. Owing to delayed loading, hour of departure put back to 0100 hrs 27 June.
    1600 One casualty evacuated Ryde County Hospital. SOS unit.

    27 June 1944
    (D + 21)
    1900 Channel crossing completed without further casualties.
    2000 Disembarkation commenced. All except 15 vehicles proceeded to Transit Area, when disembarkation abandoned owing to incoming tide.

    28 June 1944 La Delivrande
    (D + 22)
    Vehicles in transit area moved to location 1 mile west of La Delivrande. Digging in commenced, vehicles camouflaged and dispersed.
    1330 Disembarkation of remaining vehicles completed. Vehicles & personnel proceeded direct to new location.

    29 June 1944 La Delivrande
    1700 Visit of DDME 1 Corps. OC recced surrounding units & CREME 1 C.Tps. locn.
    Preparations commenced for taking in work. OC informed that unit must not “open up” completely. Nearby artillery units put down fire on enemy positions during night.

    30 June 1944 La Delivrande
    Small Aldershot shelter erected. Work now being recved [sic] from CBP for repair.
     
  2. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    1 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – cloudy with rain. Development of locn continued.
    AFsW 3008/3009 despatched. Appxs A & B

    2 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fair, slight rain at intervals during day. heavy rain in evening.
    2200 Slight arty action from neighbouring units.

    3 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – heavy rain throughout day.

    4 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – heavy rain throughout day.

    5 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine.
    1700 Visit of DDME 1 Corps.

    6 July 1944 La Delivrande
    0600 Arty action from neighbouring units. Weather – rainy.
    Weekly returns despatched. Completed during week – 5 B vehs.

    7 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – rain and wind.
    2000 Enemy lines subject heavy bombing raid and concentrated arty.
    2300 Fires observed in Caen area. Arty throughout night.

    8 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fair. Aircraft over locn during hours of darkness. Two bombs dropped in area (actual locn unknown). AFsW 3008/3009 desp. Appxs C & D

    9 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Under C.REME instrs unit responsible for 2nd line repair 11 L of C units.

    10 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – rain and wind.

    11 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – rain and wind.

    12 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine.

    13 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine. Wksp returns despatched. Completed in week 3 A Vehs, 14 B Vehs, 1 Arty equipt, 4 Tels Equipts, 6 SA&MG.
    OC placed in control of “W” Crock Park and detachment of 10 ORs of 21 Adv Base Wksp REME.
    2300 1 Veh and 2 ORs arrived on disembarkation (Unit Residue).

    14 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine. Remainder of Residues arrived during day.
    All personnel and vehs in locn by 2230 hrs.
    B Machy lorry casualty as a result of immersion. Veh recovered and put in wksps for repair.
    2359 Unit ceased to be responsible for repair of vehs of 11 L of C.

    15 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine. AFsW 3008/3009 despatched. Appxs E and F

    16 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine and windy. Continuous arty throughout day.
    1 OR attd 1 Recy Coy as DR, with Recy lorry & team for rd clearance.

    17 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine and windy. Lieut. Morris detached on recy duty in fwd area. Continuous arty throughout day.

    18 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather fine.
    1200 Report received to effect ops proceeding satisfactorily. Own tps reported posns 4 miles SE o Caen. Lieut. Morris reported to OC with inf as to duties.

    19 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather fine. 1 OR adm hospital.
    2315 Enemy aircraft over locn.

    20 July 1944 La Delivrande
    0845 Three ORs proceeded on attachment to 4 Armd Bde Wksp REME on instrs C.REME 1 Cps Tps.
    Weather – fine in morning. Heavy rain from midday onwards. Lieut. Morris and DR returned on completion of duties in fwd area. Also Recy team.
    1000 O ic Stores Section attended conf at ADOS 3 Br Inf Div. Subject – Scaling and Supp of stores in field.
    Wksp returns despatched. Completed in week 2 A Vehs, 17 B Vehs, 1 Arty equipt, 12 Tels equipts, 23 insts, 137 SA&MG.

    21 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Heavy rain throughout day. 1 OR attd 259 CDS with wksp ser trailer on C.REME 1 Cps Tps instrs.

    22 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – rain in morning, cloudy, vis poor.
    Mortar Sound Locator (NO 4442R) recd in wksps for repair of spring and pens, and manfr of brass forceps. Tels Sect worked throughout night.
    1815 Pilotless plane passed over locn heading direction SE.
    3 ORs retd to unit after detachment to 4 Armd Bde Wksp REME.
    AFsW 3008/3009 despatched. Appx G and H

    23 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine. Enemy aircraft during night. Arty at intervals throughout day. Mortar Sound Locator again in wksps for correction of oscillation.

    24 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine. Arty at intervals throughout day.
    1920 Explosion observed 2 – 3 miles WSW of locn.
    1930 Explosion observed 2 – 3 miles WSW of locn.
    Work proceeding on Mortar Sound Locator.

    25 July 1944 La Delivrande
    0500 Work on Mortar Sound Locator completed. General comments – Drive for paper unsatisfactory, considered that roller system could be improved. Appx I
    It is also considered that further technical information in the form of EMERs, or to accompany each locator, might be issued as the equipt comes into general use. Lastly, owing to the extreme sensitivity and fragility of same, some form of spring carrier be provided for transportation.

    26 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather fine.
    1515 DDME visited OC, leaving unit at 1230 hrs.
    1 OR adm hospital. 1 OR retd from hospl via 104 CRC.

    27 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather fine.
    0930 DDME 1 Corps arrived and inspected unit.
    1120 DDME 1 Corps left locn. Wksp returns despatched. Completed in week – 4 A Vehs, 5 B Vehs, 17 Tels equipts, 25 Instrs, 50 SA&MG.

    28 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine. 1 OR retd from 259 CDS with wksp servicing trailer.

    29 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine. AFsW 3008/3009 despatched. Appxs J and K

    30 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine. Mortar sound locator recd in wksps for correction of oscillation.

    31 July 1944 La Delivrande
    Weather – fine.
    1815 Pilotless plane passed over locn heading direction ESE.
     
  3. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    1 August 1944 La Delivrande
    Split down vision block of German Mk IV tk to examine balsam. Found same far superior to ours. Required 200°F to part. Dried into solution latex. Sample passed to C.REME Cps Tps for analysis.

    2 August 1944 La Delivrande
    DDME 1 Corps visited and inspected unit along with DDST, CRASC, and other RASC officers of 1 Cps.
    German Mk IV tank completed.
    Wksp Returns despatched (Completed in week: A Vehs 4, B vehs 21, M/Cycles 12, Arty 4, Instruments 31).
    Information received via C.REME 1 Cps Tps that 2 Army not yet ready to administer unit. OC instructed that work no longer to be inspected. Jobs in excess of wksp repair capacity evacuated under arrangements CREME to 49 Inf Tps Wksp. In view of impending move, C.REME requested to ascertain whether 15cwt trucks loaned in lieu of trailers might be retained. CREME in turn contacted DDME, who referred matter direct to DME 21 A Gp.

    3 – 4 August 1944
    [no entries]

    5 August 1944 La Delivrande
    AFs W3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I (1) and (2)

    6 – 9 August 1944
    [no entries]

    10 August 1944 La Delivrande
    Wksp returns despatched (completed in week – “A” Vehs 4, “B” Vehs 15, M/Cs 5, Tels 10, Instruments 20).

    11 August 1944
    [no entry]

    12 August 1944 La Delivrande
    4 ORs admitted hospital.
    Unit instructed via C.REME 1 Br Cps Tps to despatch adv party to map ref 686479 in preparation for move, and unit at 72 hrs notice to leave present location (to be under comd 8 Corps).
    AFsW 3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I (3) and (4)

    13 August 1944 La Delivrande
    Change of comd details submitted DDME 1 Br Cps.
    1700 Adv party of six vehs and one offr 12 ORs proceeded new locn.
    Unit equipt loaded on vehs. 4 ORs discharged hospital.

    15 August 1944 La Delivrande
    Preparations for move complete.
    2100 Message received from C.REME 1 Br Cps Tps to effect that unit will now move to map ref 848553 and will be under comd 12 Cps, advance party being diverted by 8 Cps.
    1 Offr preceeded C.REME 1 Br Cps Tps and returned with full instrs for move – to be effected 16 Sep [sic] 44.
    2 ORs admitted to hospital.

    16 August 1944
    0800 Convoy left locn. Proceeded via Caen – Bretteville-sur-Odon – Tourville – Villers-Bocage.
    1200 Arrived locn [le Mesnil-au-Grain] map ref 855543.
    Vehs parked in orchard and area developed for work. C.REME 12 Cps Tps visited unit.

    17 August 1944 le Mesnil-au-Grain
    Work continued in area development.
    0900 Wksps Offr visited HQ, CREME 12 Cps Tps. Informed that unit may take in a small quantity of work from nearest CBP.
    1600 Visit of DDME 12 Cps.
    1930 2 ic C.REME 12 Cps Tps arrived with movement instructions (unit to move at first light 18 Aug 44).
    2000 Preparations to move. Bivouacs taken down. Personnel slept in open.
    Wksp returns despatched (completed in week: “A” Vehs 11 [??], “B” Vehs 13, M/Cycles 1, Instruments 6).

    18 August 1944
    0645 Convoy arrived SP. This appeared to have been erroneously laid down by higher formn, and was 2 miles off actual route. All vehs reversed, and convoy on move by 0800 hrs. Proceeded via Courvaudon – Hamars – Thury-Harcourt.
    1030 Arrived locn [Meslay] 995439. Vehs parked in fields and orchard adjacent to derelict farm buildings.
    1600 Wksp ready to take in work. C.REME informed by DR.

    19 August 1944 Meslay
    1800 C.REME visited unit. Informed OC that vehs to be dispersed over open fields, and not camouflaged under trees. Also instructed that a CBP be opened and administered by unit personnel.

    20 August 1944 Meslay
    CBP opened in large field adjoining wksp area.
    2000 First crocks arrived in CBP.
    1 OR adm hospital.

    21 August 1944 Meslay
    1700 Visit of DDME 12 Cops and C.REME 12 Cps Tps. Wksps inspected.

    22 August 1944
    [no entry]

    23 August 1944 Meslay
    1800 Copy of message (ME 12 Cps – ME 2 Army) received placing unit under comd 2 Army and under 48 hrs notice to move, with effect from 25 Aug. Unit now no longer responsible for control of CBP. Operation thereof now a responsibility of detachment 21 Adv Base Wksps, and role changed to that of an ABP.

    24 August 1944 Meslay
    OC visited C.REME 2 A Tps.
    Wksps Offr inspected dis-used factory on request of C.REME 12 Cps Tps. Report submitted, as at appendix. Appx J (1)
    Wksp returns despatched. (Completed in wk – “A” Vehs 1, “B” Vehs 11, M/Cycles 6, Tels 8, SAMG 4).

    25 August 1944 Meslay
    Unit now on 48 hrs notice to move.

    26 August 1944 Meslay
    Work considerably interrupted by various units bringing in 1 Echelon repairs. It is felt that this is due to the fact that L of C and A Tps Wksps have been left in rear areas, or moved forward beyond us during the advance of own tps. Consequently this unit is in an isolated posn and the only available for miles around for casual breakdowns.
    AFs W3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I (7) and (8)

    27 August 1944 Meslay
    OC visited C.REME 12 Cps Tps but unable to obtain any information as to whether unit likely to come under comd of Corps in the near future.

    28 August 1944
    [no entry]

    29 August 1944 Meslay
    2000 Message received from C.REME 2 A Tps ordering unit to move as early as possible to locn area La Ferte Fresnel.

    30 August 1944 Meslay
    0900 OC proceeded C.REME 2 A Tps. Pointed out that, as work has been taken in and proceed with, in expectation of 48 hrs notice to move, impossible to effect change of locn prior to 31 Aug.
    All vehs under repair evacuated ABP.
    Defect report submitted on failure of bolts (sub-frame to chassis) of Ward la France Breakdown Vehs to C.REME 1 Br Cps Tps.

    31 August 1944 Meslay
    Owing to state of roads and traffic congestion, OC decided with approval of C.REME to postpone move of unit until 1 Sep 44.
    Vehs remained packed and ready for road.

    UNIT WAR DIARY APPENDIX “A”

    SITUATION AT 2100 HRS DAILY

    Unit: 3 BRITISH INF TPS WKSP REME
    Commanding Officer: MAJOR C.E. HERBERT, TD, REME
    Month and Year: AUGUST 1944

    Strength varies from 180 on 1 Aug, to a maximum of 185 during this period.

    How was unit employed?
    1 – 13 Aug: Rep to 1 Cps vehs & equipt;
    14 – 15 Aug: Preparations to leave locn;
    16 Aug: Moving & setting up wksps;
    17 Aug: Wk on 12 Cps vehs & equipts, Preparations to move;
    18 Aug: Moving & setting up wksps.
     
  4. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    1 September 1944
    1030 Convoy left locn. Proceeded via Falaise, Argentan, Le Bourg St Leonard, Nonant-le-Pin, Le Merleraule, Gauville,
    1600 arrived la Ferte Fresnel.
    Unit ordered by C.REME 2 A Tps that no work to be taken in.
    Vehs parked under camouflage of orchard, and dispersed in field adjacent to farm buildings.

    2 September 1944 la Ferte Fresnel
    AFs W3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I(1) and (2)

    3 September 1944
    [no entry]

    4 September 1944 la Ferte Fresnel
    0800 OC visited C.REME 2 A Tps. Instructed to move locn near Amiens. Vehs to move in groups of ten leaving at hourly intervals (3 gps today).
    Remainder to move 5 Sep commencing 0900 hrs.
    1230 First of three groups left locn (OC in first veh). Route – Laigle, Rugles, Breteuil, Damville, S Andre de l’Eure, Ivry la Battaille, Cullins, le Mesnil Simon, Longues, Mantes Cassicourt, Fontenay S. Pierre, Aincourt, Chaumont, Magny en Vixen, Serrons, Lieurville, La Moussaye, Aueneil, Beauvais, Froissy, Breteuil, Essertaux.

    5 September 1944
    1130 Arrived Coisy. OC recced area and reserved two fields for accn of wksp. Two other gps arrived in harbour by 2300 hrs. C.REME ordered that no wk to be taken in.

    6 September 1944 Coisy
    OC visited C.REME 2 A Tps. Unit to move Brussels 7 Sep.

    7 September 1944
    1130 Adv party left for new locn. Lieut. Morris remained at HQ C.REME for details final locn.
    1330 Convoy left locn (all vehs). Proceeded via Villers Bocage, Doullens, Arras, Gavrelle, Fresnes, Douai, Raches, Orchies, Tournai.
    2100 Arrived Fermont, nr Leuze. Vehs harboured in fields.

    8 September 1944
    Lieut Morris not yet retd from C.REME HQ. OC Wksp proceeded HQ 2 A Tps for orders if available. Retd with info to effect unit to set up for work at Ath.
    2100 Lieut Morris retd from C.REME. OC decided to move 9 Sep.

    9 September 1944
    Unit proceeded via Fermont.
    1300 Arrived Ath. Vehs parked and area prepared for work. Work drawn from 2 A Veh Park, by arrangements with C.REME 2 A Tps.
    AFsW 3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I ( 3) and (4)

    10 September 1944
    [no entry]

    11 September 1944 Ath
    One OR arrived on posting.

    12 September 1944 Ath
    Information received to effect that all “A” Veh repairs to be completed on a priority basis. Accordingly, work concentrated on “A” Vehs (mainly carriers).
    Visit of DDOS 2 Army accompanied by ADOS 12 Corps reference priority of veh repairs.

    13 September 1944
    [no entry]

    14 September 1944 Ath
    1700 Wks returns despatched. (Completed in week – “A” Vehs 36; “B” Vehs 32; Motor cycles 13; Tels Equipts 9; Instrs 8; MGs 1)

    15 September 1944 Ath
    1700 Visit of DADOS 12 and 30 Corps. Urgency of “A” Vehs further stressed. Forthwith, all resources of wksps concentrated on repair of “A” vehs. Working hours extended until dusk.

    16 September 1944 Ath
    All wksp repair concentrated on “A” Vehs. Record number of 39 “A” vehs completed in one day.
    AFs W3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I (5) and (6)

    17 September 1944 Ath
    0300 Message received from 2 A Veh Pk (verbal) that great effort to be made to complete all carriers, White Scout Cars, Halftracks and 3 tonners by midday.
    1300 All vehs required completed with exception of a small no requiring major reps.
    1700 2 A Veh Pk now collected vehs required.
    1100 One Bedford Stores lorry caught fire. Cab completely burnt out. Stores undamaged.

    18 September 1944 Ath
    One OR adm hospital.
    Court of Enquiry convened to investigate cause of fire in vehicle.
    Repairs to 6 40ton trailers Load Carrying conversions. Strengthening beams of floors, which have been built in wrong way and are continually giving at welds.

    19 September 1944 Ath
    1430 OC attended conference at HQ C.REME 2 A Tps. Subject: rep of vehs of 2 A Veh Coy. Points agreed – Veh Park to be responsible for own 1st line maint. Dvr Mechs placed under comd REME Inspectorate attached to Veh Park. 2nd line maint to be done by Wksps. While doing this wk, this unit not to tackle outside wk unless veh is a non-runner having broken down on the road.

    20 September 1944 Ath
    34 Tk Tps Wksps arrived. Evacuation of “A” Vehs commenced.

    21 September 1944 Ath
    1 OR arrived on posting.

    22 September 1944 Ath
    All “A” Vehs evac to 34 Tk Tps Wksp REME.

    23 September 1944 Ath
    Owing to so much movement of unit, special release of spares arranged from AOD, also release of some parts from Fwd Trailer Sec. This necessitated by stores on demand being fwdd [sic] from one Corps Field Pk to another, and never catching us up. Above arrangements made with DADOS 2 Army.
    AFs W3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I (7) and (8)
    1 OR proceeded on posting.

    24 September 1944 Ath
    Four ORs arrived on posting from 34 RHU.

    25 September 1944 Ath
    2330 Message recd from C.REME 2 A Tps to effect unit to prepare for move to new location. 3 ORs arrived on posting.

    26 September 1944 Ath
    Preparations to move. All vehs in wksps evacuated (completed to 2 AVP and uncompleted to 176 Inf Bde Wksps).

    27 September 1944
    0900 2 ORs arrived on posting fr 34 Tk Tps Wksps.
    Vehs formed up for move off. O ic Stores Sec not yet returned from journey commenced yesterday.
    1015 Convoy left locn. Proceeded via Enghien, Hal, Brussels, Louvain, Herselt, Westerloo, Gheel.
    2130 Arrived Eindhoven. Personnel accommodated in school buildings.

    28 September 1944 Eindhoven
    Setting up of wksps (two garages allotted). Visit of DDME 12 Corps.

    29 September 1944 Eindhoven
    1 OR admitted hospital. OC reported absence of O ic Stores Section to C.REME 12 Cps Tps for action.

    30 September 1944 Eindhoven
    AFs W3008/3309 despatched. Appxs I(9) and (10)
     
  5. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    1 October 1944
    [no entry]

    2 October 1944 Eindhoven
    C.REME ordered all vehs in CBP to be taken into wksps except “W” Cocks and 4 Ech repair work.
    1 OR admitted hospl.

    3 October 1944 Eindhoven
    1 OR admitted hospl.
    CBP evacuated of vehs in accordance with instrs recd.
    Wksps Offr proceeded Amiens for purpose of ascertaining posn of O ic Stores Section.

    4 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Telecommns Offr returned from hospl.

    5 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Offr ic Stores Section returned from hospl.
    Wksp returns despatched. (completed in wk: “A” Vehs 1; “B” Vehs 5; M/Cycles 1; Arty 1; Tel 1; Instruments 13; SA & MG 51.)

    6 October 1944
    [no entry]

    7 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Under instrs 21 A Gp (21 AGp/3798/A/Org/(2)) dated 28 Sep title of unit changed to 800 Inf Tps Wksp REME.
    AFW3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I (1) and (2)

    8 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Unit now under comd 2 Army (12 Cps Tps Wksp Instr No 35 refers).
    2 ORs discharged fr hospl.

    9 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Visit of 2 ic C.REME reference wksps repairs. Following to be carried out – 2 & 3 Ech work from 12 Corps CBP, 3 Ech repair on vehs & equipt 51 (H) Div, and 2 Ech rep on all Army Tps vehs in Nijmegen – Eindhoven area.

    10 October 1944 Eindhoven
    OC visited DDME 1 Cps for purpose of obtaining information as to commd. No information available. DDME 8 Corps visited unit. Result of visits – policy unchanged and remains as per notes for 9 Oct 44.
    2 ORs arrived on posting.

    11 October 1944 Eindhoven
    2 ORs adm hospl. 2 ORs discharged hospl.

    12 October 1944 Eindhoven
    1645 Wksp returns despatched. (Completed in week: “A” Vehs 3; “B” Vehs 22; Motor cycles 11; Telecommns 5; Instruments 27; SA & MG 71.)

    13 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Visit of DADME 8 Corps – subject command. OC stated posn, that no definite order received allocating to Corps Tps, and that unit still under commd 2 Army. DADME agreed.

    14 October 1944 Eindhoven
    AFsW3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I (3) and (4)

    15 October 1944 Eindhoven
    OC visited HQ 8 Corps to interview DDME. Informed that unit under their commd. Policy – 3 line reps to vehs of 51 (H) and 3 Br Inf Div. Evacuation of work to be direct and not through CBP. Message sent HQ C.REME 2 Army Tps, who confirmed. Extra accommodation for vehs arranged on bank of canal basin.
    Eight ORs inoculated.

    16 October 1944 Eindhoven
    OC visited C.REME 8 Cps Tps for discussion as to general policy.

    17 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Seven ORs inoculated.

    18 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Civilian labour (7 men) employed by wksp by arrangement with 946 Adm Unit (Civil Affairs) – 5 Fitters, 1 Apprentice, 1 Sheet Metal Worker. Artisans employed to receive mid-day meal for which 5 cents per diem is deducted from their pay. This is much appreciated.
    1 OR posted 8 Cps Tps Wksp REME.
    1 OR arrived on posting.

    19 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Wksp returns despatched. (Completed in week: “A” Vehs 6; “B” Vehs 28; Motor Cycles 20; Arty 2; Telecomms 34; Instruments 36; SA & MG 35.)

    20 October 1944
    [no entry]

    21 October 1944 Eindhoven
    AFsW3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I (5) and (6)
    Info recd from Town Major and 2 Army that present billets to be vacated. New billets provided.

    22 October 1944
    [no entry]

    23 October 1944 Eindhoven
    0001 Unit passed under commd 12 Corps. OC instructed by C.REME to open new CBP (No. 12K) at Veghel.

    24 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Change of command sitrep rendered.

    25 October 1944 Eindhoven
    In accordance with instr received from 2 Army and Town Major, personnel accommodated in Technical College Eindhovern. HQ set up on canal bank along with Stores & Instruments Sections.

    26 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Wksp returns despatched. (Completed in week: “A” Vehs 4; “B” Vehs 31; Instruments 20; Arty 1; Telecomms 32; Motor cycles 21; S & MG 98)
    Stock in CBP – “A” Vehs 14, “B” Vehs 8 (repairable).
    1 OR adm hospl.

    27 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Stock in CBP 40 vehs (repairable).

    28 October 1944 Eindhoven
    AFsW3008/3009 despatched. Appxs I (&) and (8)
    First 48hr leave party left for Brussels (3 ORs).
    Stock in CBP 36 vehs (repairable).

    29 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Stock in CBP 43 vehs (repairable).

    30 October 1944 Eindhoven
    Unit relieved of responsibility for 12K CBP. Personnel retd to wksp.
    Stock handed over to new controlling unit – 30 Vehs (repairable).
     
    RosyRedd likes this.
  6. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    I hope this war diary is of interest. It would be interesting to understand why it was decided to rename the workshops - perhpas to reflect the fact that they were deployed much more flexibly between Corps than had been envisaged before the beginning of operations on the Continent.

    I only copied the diary from June - October 1944, anyone have the rest?

    Cheers

    Tom
     
    RosyRedd likes this.
  7. dgbshifnal

    dgbshifnal Member

    Tom,

    I have just returned from holiday and found this.
    What a sterling piece of work!
    Following our previous exchange I had managed to get to Kew to have a look at these records that you had identified for me.

    Still being a novice at this research I have no idea how to do copies of the documents and relied on a few pencilled notes as I went along.

    Although my father was "only" an OR, it has been fascinating to put some detail on some of the sketchy bits of information I had,

    Thank you,

    David Bell.
     
  8. Roddy1011

    Roddy1011 Senior Member

    Tom -

    Great stuff & thanks for posting...perchance were any of the A vehs that were repaired mentioned by their T number ?

    Roddy
     
  9. Tom OBrien

    Tom OBrien Senior Member

    Roddy,

    Sorry, no numbers in this diary. I've seen a couple that do contain lists of types and numbers.

    Regards

    Tom
     
  10. Roddy1011

    Roddy1011 Senior Member

    Tom -

    Can you recall which ones ?

    Roddy
     

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