Another war diary that I've been transcribing through the dark January evenings and thought might be of interest. WO171/2356 – 23 Company RASC (Infantry brigade) C.O.: Major N.U. Coates 1 April 1944 ANNAN C.O.: Major N.U. Coates ‘B’ Pl. complete and adv pty of 2/Lt. Davies and 12 O.R.s left by road for Southco. 2 April 1944 ANNAN Capt. K.F.R. Uglow left to assume command of ‘B’ Pl det. 3 April 1944 ANNAN Capt. J.F. Hollway proceeded on leave. 4 April 1944 ANNAN Designation of unit changed to 23 Coy, RASC (Inf Bde). 5 April 1944 ANNAN Orders received for A Pl and W/S det to move to Southco. 6 April 1944 ANNAN Lt. Bidlington, Pnr Corps and 51 O.Rs joined unit on attachment. 7 April 1944 ANNAN ‘A’ Pl and W/ det move to Southco. O. i/c Capt. NER Randall. 8 April 1944 [no entry] 9 April 1944 ANNAN All practice amn disposed of by rail to 109 CAD. 10 April 1944 ANNAN Lt. Edwards and R.E. det ceased to be att. 11 April 1944 ANNAN Orders received for Coy HQ & Comp Pl to move to Stobs Camp and form Admin HQ for Main Residues, 9 Br Inf Bde. 12 April 1944 ANNAN Capt. J.F. Hollway returned from leave. 13 April 1944 HAWICK Coy H.Q. and Comp. Pl moved to Stobs Camp, Hawick. Main Residues, Home Details & 1st Reinforcements of 2 Lincs and 45 A/Tk Bty, RA already in situ and came under command. 14 April 1944 HAWICK Lt. Bildington and 51 O.Rs Pnr Corps CTBA. ½ Sec (3 x 3 ton) 48 Coy, RASC attached for all purposes. 15 April 1944 HAWICK Attachment of 48 Coy RASC increased to Sec. 16 April 1944 HAWICK Main Residues of 9 Fld Amb moved into Stobs Camp and joined Residue Gp. 45 A/Tk Residues etc joined Residue Gp. 17 April 1944 HAWICK Main Residues, Home Details and 1st Reinforcements of 2 RUR and 1 KOSB joined Residue Gp HQ at Stobs Camp. 18 April 1944 HAWICK Orders received for rail pty (1st reinforcements) to move 2300 hrs, 20 April, road pty (MR and HD) to move morning 21 Apr. 19 April 1944 HAWICK Adv Pty, Trg Bn Irish Guards arrived 0900 hrs. Residues of 33 Fd Regt joined Residue Gp, 1900 hrs. 20 April 1944 HAWICK 1st Reinforcements 1 KOSB, 2 RUR, 2 Lincs moved by rail to Aldershot dep Stobs 2300 hrs, ETA Aldershot 1440 21 April. 21 April 1944 FIELD 9 Br Inf Bde Gp left Stobs 0700 hrs under comd Major N.U. Coates, RASC. Arrived Preston 1800 hrs, staged 21/22 Preston. (Mileage 133. Imprest A/c 56507 closed). 22 April 1944 FIELD Staged 22/23 Wellington. Mileage 88. Dep Preston 0800. Arrived Wellington 1540. 23 April 1944 FIELD Staged 23/24 Cirencester. Mileage 89. Dep Wellington 0800. Arr Cirencester 1550). A Pl moved to PIRBRIGHT temporarily. 24 April 1944 ALDERSHOT Arrived Aldershot 1400 hrs. Mileage 68. Accommodated Malplaquet Barracks, North Camp, Farnborough. Dep Cirencester 0700. 25 April 1944 ALDERSHOT Rear pty less Capt. J.F. Hollway rejoined from Stobs. 26 April 1944 [no entry] 27 April 1944 ALDERSHOT 23 Coy RASC handed over command of 9 Bde Residues to 47 Coy RASC. 23 Coy RASC moved to Tournai Barracks, Aldershot and assumed comd of 8 Bde Residues. 28 April 1944 ALDERSHOT Major-Gen. T.G. Rennie, DSO, visited Gp and addressed the tps on parade. 29 April 1944 [no entry] 30 April 1944 ALDERSHOT Lt. Col. A.K. Yapp, CRASC visited unit. Imprest A/c X 3739 opened. Regards Tom
1 May 1944 C.O.: Major N.U. Coates Ex Fabius – ‘B’ Pl. 2 May 1944 Ex Fabius – ‘B’ Pl. 3 May 1944 Ex Fabius – ‘B’ Pl. 4 May 1944 17 x 3 ton proceeded to CAD Grateley to collect Amn. 5 – 6 May 1944 [no entries] 7 May 1944 Practice Amn issued to 8 Bde Group. 8 – 9 May 1944 [no entries] 10 May 1944 Capt. K.F.R. Uglow discharged from Military Hospital Bovington, to 30 RHU Oxford. 11 – 16 May 1944 [no entries] 17 May 1944 Capt. J.F. Hollway and Det ‘A’ Pl moved to Camp T7. 18 – 21 May 1944 [no entries] 22 May 1944 His Majesty King George VI visited 3 Br Inf Div. 23 – 24 May 1944 [no entries] 25 May 1944 Capt. R.E.R. Randall rejoined from fwd area. 26 – 27 May 1944 [no entries] 28 May 1944 Church Parade. 29 – 31 May 1944 [no entries]
1 June 1944 C.O.: Major N.U. Coates HQ, Comp Pl. and W/S Pl. (less two subsections) remain in the Aldershot Area (Marlborough Lines Residue Camp). Camps in Marshalling Area are sealed and the two Transport Pls, ‘A’ Pl. under the command of Capt. Hollway and Lt. Davies, and ‘B’ Pl. under command of Capt. K. Uglow and Lt. A. Thompson, became independent of HQ. Both Pls were divided into two for the purpose of the voyage. One party consisting of Capt. Hollway and 19 vehicles and 52 O.Rs to sail from London. The remainder of ‘A’ Pl. and the whole of ‘B’ Pl. to sail from Portsmouth. Appx ‘A’ 2 June 1944 Nothing to report. 3 June 1944 Capt. J.F. Hollway’s party embark Victoria Docks. 4 June 1944 Capt. Hollway’s Party on M.T.I. lie off boom at Southend. 5 June 1944 Capt. Hollway’s Party on M.T.I. lie off boom at Southend. 6 June 1944 HQ, Comp. and W/S Pls (less two sub-sections) remain at Aldershot. ‘B’ Pl. split into two parties for voyage. One party under Capt. Uglow consisting of 19 vehicles and 54 all ranks sailed from the Solent on LST Serial No.613 at 0020 hrs. 1900 Anchored off La Bréche (on coast of Normandy). Sea was to[o] rough to transfer vehicles on to Rhino ferry for beaching. Bombs dropped within 100 yards of ship during night. The remainder of ‘B’ Pl under command of Lt. A.G. Thompson sailed at 0020 hrs and arrived off Green White Beach at 1800 hrs. Unable to load vehicles on Rhino ferries. Air Raid during night, no damage to report. Capt. Hollway’s party sailed from Southend. Lieut. H. Davies commanding the remainder of ‘A’ Pl. consisting of 17 vehicles and 46 O.Rs received Movement Order at 1245 hrs to be at RCRP.4 at 0120 hrs. 7 June 1944 1100 Lt. Thompson’s Detachment landed at 1100 hrs by Rhino ferry and proceeded to V.TA. Snipers active but no casualties in detachment. Proceeded to COLVILLE-sur-ORNE. 1830 Capt. Uglow’s detachment landed at 1830 hrs. All vehicles waded ashore through 4 foot of water. Beach machine-gunned by enemy fighters. Pre-loads discharged in B.M.A. 8 Vehicles re-loaded with A/T Mines. 2000 Detachment joined remainder of Platoon under Lt. A.G. Thompson at COLVILLE-Sur-ORNE. Platoon complete, no casualties. Reported to C.R.A.S.C. Capt. Hollway’s detachment arrived off shore and anchored 3 miles out. Heavy Ack Ack fire and shelling all night. Lt. H. Davies’s detachment embarked 1430 hrs and sailed 2330 hrs. 8 June 1944 ‘B’ Platoon attached 4 vehicles to 9th Br Inf Bde and 9 vehicles to 185 Bde. Medium Regt RA moved into location 0230 hrs. Enemy bomber dropped two bombs on location. One bomb scored direct hit on 5.5 gun. One of Platoon lorries destroyed by fire. The following were injured and evacuated to ADS:- T/104334 L/Cpl. Morgan, K. Shrapnel wound. T/188587 L/Cpl. Holmes, S. Shrapnel wounds. T/14337876 Dvr. Page, S. Shrapnel wounds. T.93993 Pte. Hynes, C. Shrapnel wounds. 1200 Troop Carrying detail for 9th and 185 Bde completed. 1230 One lorry destroyed when Ammunition dump was bombed. T/5723185 Dvr. Thompson, W. was injured and evacuated. 1800 Platoon moved to Hermanville-sur-Mer. Owing to the possibility of bombing and air raids during the night all troops were ordered to sleep in slit trenches. Capt. Hollway’s detachment landed NAN Sector at 1500 hrs. Arrived 1630 hrs at RASC Concentration Area, and then moved to Hermanville and joined with ‘B’ Platoon. One vehicle lost in sea. Lt. H. Davies Detachment unable to land as no Pontoons or LSTs were available, and lay off shore. 9 June 1944 1030 Lt. A.G. Thompson was detailed to take charge of a Troop Carrying detail for 8th and 9th Inf Bdes. 1100 Platoons receive warning order to move to Admin Area. 1130 Sniper who had been causing trouble found and wounded by Capt. Hollway. 1700 Platoons move to new location – PLUMETOT in Admin Area. 2100 Remainder of ‘A’ Platoon under Lt. Davies arrive. Machine Gun attacks from the air at various intervals during the day. 10 June 1944 Day spent by Platoons in completing de-waterproofing and digging in. 2100 Sniper fired on location from Church tower. Cordon was thrown round Church, but nothing was found. Vehicles still attached to 9th and 185 Bdes. Blankets carried by ‘A’ Pl delivered to Bdes. 11 June 1944 An A.R.P. consisting of 14 vehicles loaded with SAA held in location for use of 172 Coy RASC. 200 rds per gun dumped during the night for 76 Fd Regt. RA. 14 vehicles involved. Dumping carried out according to plan. 12 June 1944 Half size standard A.P. opened at Perius-Sur-Le Dan atv 1230 hrs. Full standard smalls A.P. drawn from O.B.D. and held as reserve in Platoon location. 2315 Anti-Personnel bombs dropped in location. 3 vehicles slightly damaged. No other casualties. Complete Bn First Line Holdings of Ammunition dumped at La Foude for 1st Bn. S. Lancs. This was within 300 yards of enemy positions. Constant Air Raids during night. 13 June 1944 0800 A Bn First Line Holding of Ammunition drawn from O.B.D. and held in location. First Line Ammunition delivered to 2 East Yorks. 14 June 1944 A.P. closed. Loaded vehicles held in location. 1900 All vehicles dispersed to distances of 75 to 100 yards between vehicles. 15 June 1944 Platoons completed digging-in in new area. 16 June 1944 T/180090 Dvr. Attwell, G. evacuated to CCS suffering from nervous strain. 17 June 1944 All personnel had bath in Mobile Bath unit at location. 2100 Location shelled for 15 minutes. Approx. 20 rounds only two vehicles slightly damaged. Cpl. McCoo and 3 Fitters from W/Shops Pl. with B/Down lorry moved to Marshalling Area before proceeding overseas. 18 June 1944 2100 C.Os conference. Dumping programme arranged for 76 Fd. Regt. RA for the following day. 19 June 1944 0715 Dumping programme postponed. 20 June 1944 Dumping programme cancelled. 21 June 1944 ‘A’ P. dumped 100 rds per gun for one Bty 76 Fd. Regt. RA. 22 June 1944 ‘A’ Pl. dumped 100 rds per gun for one Bty 76 Fd. Regt. RA. 1130 Shelling in Area for 5 minutes. Three shells dropped in location. No casualties. 23 June 1944 Lt. Davies and 4 x 3 ton lorries took over Smalls A.P. at Gazelle from 172 Coy. RASC. ‘A’ Pl. dumped 100 rds per gun for one Bty 76 Fd. Regt. RA. 1815 C.O. addressed the men. 24 June 1944 A.P. at Gazelle shelled heavily but no casualties were sustained. 25 June 1944 ‘B’ Pl. came under command 172 Coy RASC forming a 3 Platoon Amn. Coy. 14 x 3 ton loaded 105 mm. 4 x 3 ton off-loaded to permit loading. 2 x 3 ton from 172 Coy attached to ‘B’ Pl. to replace casualties. 26 June 1944 165 rds 105 mm per gun dumped for 76 Fd Regt RA. Cpl. McCoo with B/Down lorry and 3 ORs report, having safely arrived from U.K. 27 June 1944 Standard Smalls A.P. loaded. 28 June 1944 1800 Standard Smalls A.P. opened at Gazelle. Lt. Thompson i/c. 29 June 1944 1800 2000 A/T Mines delivered to each of the Inf Bdes – total 6000. 2000 Mines – 1400 rds 4.2 mor. delivered to 2 Mx. 30 June 1944 Platoons discontinue keeping their own Amn Diaries. Capt. Hollway took over duties of Coy. Amn. Officer.
1 July 1944 C.O.: Major N.U. Coates 1730 C.Os conference on moves of Admin Area. 2000 Practice ‘Stand To’ (Anti-Tank Roll [sic]) for all Admin Area. 2200 4 Airburst shells exploded over location – no casualties. Appendix ‘A’ attached 2 July 1944 1100 Church Service. Recce made for the arrival of the remainder of the Coy. 3 July 1944 Nothing to report. 4 July 1944 0900 ‘B’ Platoon relieved by ‘A’ Platoon. Lt. Carter 172 Coy i/c AP. 5 July 1944 Skeleton HQ formed, Capt. Uglow became O.C. Capt. Hollway Amn. Offr. Lt. Thompson and Lt. Davies assumed command of their respective Platoons. 6 July 1944 1100 Platoons inspected by DDST 1 Corps. He was very satisfied. 2250 Location shelled for ten minutes. 4 shells landed in Platoon location. T/241222 L/Cpl. Cox, J. ) T/264329 Dvr. Lane, F. ) Wounded by shrapnel and evacuated to T/14337487 Dvr. Mariner, A. ) Hospital. T/182114 Dvr. Grainger, A. ) L/Cpl. Cox, J. recommended for MM because of his initiation and courage during the shelling. 7 July 1944 [no entry] 8 July 1944 0730 ‘B’ Platoon opened a half standard Smalls A.P. at Ranville. 9 July 1944 48 Coy RASC took over A.P. at Gazelle. Shell landed in location – no damage. Remainder of Coy at Aldershot received orders to move (warning order). Put at 6 hrs notice. 10 July 1944 1800 ‘B’ Pl. A.P. closed. HQ and remainder of Coy received order to move to Camp T.5. London prior to Embarkation. 11 July 1944 HQ and remainder of Coy moved from Aldershot 0100 hrs. Arrived Camp T.5 at 0830 hrs. Personnel Dig-in. Many P.A.Cs crash near. 12 July 1944 HQ and remainder of Coy loaded their vehicles on SS Empire Pickwick. Personnel embark 1800 hrs. Ship leaves Victoria Docks 2000 hrs and anchored off boom at Southend 2200 hrs. Major N.U. Coates O.C. Troops onboard. 13 July 1944 [no entry] 14 July 1944 1700 SS Empire Pickwick sailed, passed through Straits of Dover during night. Div’l RASC dumped 300 r.p.g for 76 Fd Regt. 2 Sections of Coy involved. Capt. Uglow i/c Report centre, Capt. Hollway i/c five sections taking part. 15 July 1944 1100 C.Os conference. 1400 22 loads of ammunition off loaded in location. 1500 27 loads of 105 mm loaded. 2200 Lt. Davies opened A.P. with 20 x 3 ton at Le Bas de Ranville. 2300 27 x 3 ton took part in Div’l dumping programme for 7 Fd Regt and 76 Fd Regt. 400 r.p.g. dumped in area Esibville. [??] SS Empire Pickwick anchored off JUNO Beach 1800 hrs. Air Raid during night, mines dropped near ship. 16 July 1944 HQ and remainder of Coy unload during day from SS Empire Pickwick. Dry landings in most instances. Arrived in Admin Area 2300 – 0300 hrs the following morning. All vehicles and personnel arrived safely. 2130 30 vehs on troop carrying detail. Lt. Thompson i/c. 17 July 1944 W/Shop and Comp. Pls joined the detachments in their locations. HQ moved to location Luc-sur-Mer. 30 vehs from ‘A’ and ‘B’ Pls carried out a dumping programme of 105 mm passing R.C. from 2115 hrs onwards. Capt. Uglow and Capt. Hollway i/c. R.C. bombed and machine-gunned for 15 minutes. T/7453084 Dvr. Snaith, G. and T/14273518 Dvr. Greedy, P. were killed and T/14337871 Dvr. O’Neill, J. and T/10704068 Dvr. Lincoln, R. were injured. Seven lorries were badly damaged. Dvr. Adams carried out special deeds of courage throughout the raid. 2250 Enemy aircraft dropped A.P. bombs on Coy location, 5 vehicles slightly damaged, no casualties to personnel. O.C. held conference of all Officers and Sergeants at 1800 hrs. C.O. addressed officers and Sergeants at 2100 hrs and gave them details of pending operations. 18 July 1944 HQ moved to Luc-sur-Mer and joined the rest of Company. 19 July 1944 O.C. attended conference at CRASC re the reorganisation of the Div’l RASC. Dvr. Snaith and Dvr. Greedy were buried at Ranville. W/S recovered vehicles which had been damaged. 20 July 1944 Lt. J. Haley takes over ‘A’ Pl. from Lt. Davies who becomes HQ Subaltern. Re-organisation of Coy. The Coy becomes an Ammunition Coy carrying Smalls natures only. Comp. Pl split and personnel allotted to Tpt Platoons. Organised to be able to have two Smalls A.P. forward and 2 in reserve plus special nature. A.Ps at Amfriville and Le Bas de Ranville taken over by this Coy from 48 Div Tps Coy. Rain very hard during the late afternoon and evening, location turned into sea of mud. 21 July 1944 Slight re-organisation in Coy holding of Smalls, only 3 Smalls A.P. to be held on wheels. 1000 mines sent out to A.P. Another 3000 drawn in case advance delayed by bad weather. Rained hard all day. Letter of appreciation received from Brig. Mears C.R.A. for work of RASC in dumping ammunition. 22 July 1944 [no entry] 23 July 1944 0930 Church Service. Mines vehicles withdrawn from A.P. except for 1000 dumped. 24 July 1944 ‘A’ Pl. took over the A.P. from ‘B’ Pl. at Amfriville. Lt. Haley i/c. Lt. Thompson returned to Coy location with ‘B’ Pl. 1400 A.P. at Le Bas de Ranville withdrawn. Bombs fell near Coy location during the night. 25 July 1944 Nothing to report. Voluntary fund opened for Dvr. Greedy’s widow. 26 July 1944 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. Decided to withdraw A.P. at Amfriville and to use A.P. in quarries at Ranville A.P. A.P. to consist of 2 Smalls A.Ps on ground plus 1000 mines and 640 rds 4.2 HE Mortar. A complete Platoon from another Coy loaded with 105 mm to establish a Gun A.P. same place. Capt. Uglow to be i/c. 1700 Capt. Uglow made a Recce of new A.P. A.P. at Amfriville bombed for an hour during the night, no casualties to personnel or vehicles. 27 July 1944 New A.P. opened at Ranville 1400 hrs. A.P. at Amfriville closed at same time. Lt. Haley returned to location with A. Pl. 28 July 1944 [no entry] 29 July 1944 1500 Inspection by the G.O.C. Gen. Whistler. All available Officers were introduced and he inspected the location. Appeared very pleased with what he saw. 30 July 1944 [no entry] 31 July 1944 0030 – 0330 hrs A.P. at Ranville shelled, 3 shells landed in location. Total of 12 Shells fired, believed to be 88 mm. No casualties to personnel. One Motor Cycle and stack of 6 pdr ammunition damaged by shrapnel. 0930 Message received from CRASC to withdraw A.P. as soon as possible. 1100 Capt. Uglow returned having closed A.P. at 1000 hrs. Small staff left to hand over A.R.P. to RASC 49 Div. 1800 A.R.P. handed over to CRASC 49 Div. Learned today that T/10704068 Dvr. Lincoln, R. wounded by shrapnel on July 19th during the dumping programme died soon after he was evacuated
1 August 1944 C.O.: Major N.U. Coates, RASC 2215 Capt. K.F.R. Uglow was sent for by CRASC and informed that he was to Command a Composite Coy of 40 vehicles to maintain 185 Bde in a special role. The Coys commitment was 1 Smalls A.P. of 11 vehicles, 1 Domestic Vehicle, 1 Water truck. A noisy night – plenty of Ack Ack fire. 2 August 1944 0600 Lieut. Haley sent to recce area for Capt. Uglow. 0900 Capt. Uglow left location with Composite Coy. 0930 3 vehicles carrying ammunition etc., for Recce Regt sent off. 1100 Warning Order received for move of Admin Area. O.C. to be i/c a Composite Coy to consist of 20 vehicles own Coy for Smalls A.P., 14 vehicles 47 Coy for POL, 14 vehicles 172 Coy for 105 mm Ammunition. Capt. J.F. Hollway sent with Recce Group to recce for Composite Coy and remainder of Coy in new area. 1500 Received warning order for remainder of Coy to move at 0500 hrs the following morning. 1730 O.C. attended conference at CRASC – details for move settled. 2000 Message received remainder of Coy to move at 0300 hrs NOT 0500 hrs. 2100 O.C. with Composite Coy under Comd left for new area. Arrived 0130 hrs following morning. 3 August 1944 0300 Remainder of Coy Capt. R. Randall i/c moved. 0600 Coy arrived in new location. Met by O.C. and Guides at D.P. 0700 Coy HQ established and Platoons parked up. Order given that slit trenches are to be dug. 1900 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. 2000 Conference of all Officers at Coy HQ. OC gave warning order of move to new area SW of Caumont early Saturday morning 5 Aug. 4 August 1944 1100 Warning Order for Recce gp to be ready to move to new area p.m. 1300 Orders received for Recce Gp under Capt. Hollway to report at a R.V. in new area 1530 hrs. 1420 Recce Tp and Mine clearing squad moved off. 1700 Capt. A.E.S. Menzies posted to this Coy from 279 Coy RASC, arrived to fill vacancy caused by Capt. J.A. Jewson’s posting. 1930 Capt. Hollway returned having recced Coy location in New Area. 2030 O.C. held conference and gave preliminary orders for expected move of Coy the following morning. 5 August 1944 No order to move received during the morning, but all preparations made for an immediate move. 1200 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. 1845 Received warning order to move at 0001 hrs. 2000 O.C. held conference re move. Lieut. W.D. Bosworth posted to 172 Coy RASC. 6 August 1944 0016 Coy moved from location. 0036 Coy crossed S.P. arrived new location at 0400 hrs. 0700 Capt. Menzies proceeded to recce area for an A.P. near Le Beny Bocage. 1000 A.P. opened at 1000 hrs Lieut Thompson i/c. Consisted of 1 smalls A.P. complete. Remainder of Coy spent remainder of day digging in. 7 August 1944 Warning order received of move to new area the following day. 1300 Capt. Randall proceeded to recce new area. 1600 Warning order received that Coy would move to new area during the night. 2100 Received orders to move to new location by 0700 hrs the following morning. 2130 Conference of Officers and Sergeants re move of Coy in the morning. 1800 A.P. under Lieut. Thompson moved to area La Bistiere. 8 August 1944 0530 Coy moved to new location within a few miles of Le Beny Bocage. 0730 Arrived new location. Remainder of the day spent digging in. 1500 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. Capt. Uglow returned to unit. 185 Bde having reverted under command 3 Div at 1400 hrs. A.P. previously established at La Titadius, S.E. of Beny Bocage for 185 Bde remained open. 9 August 1944 1100 Lt. Col. A.K. Yapp visited location with instructions to recall A.P. at La Titadius. 10 August 1944 1000 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. Warned that Coy might move to new location Vire area the following day. Shelling at La Bistiere during the night – no casualties. 11 – 14 August 1944 [no entries] 15 August 1944 1200 CRASC visited the Coy and gave instructions that the personnel and vehicles at the AP should be changed. 1600 Lieut. Haley ‘A’ Pl. relieved Lieut. Thompson at A.P. 1830 A.P. ordered to move forward to Roullours. 2100 O.C. attended conference at CRASC and received instructions for the move of Coy the following day. 2200 O.C. held conference with all his Officers re move. Capt. Uglow to recce new area following morning. Recce Party and Mines Team detailed. A.P. opened at Roullors. 16 August 1944 0800 Capt. Uglow and recce party at RV for Recce of new area East of Vire. 1200 March Table received. 1205 Capt. Uglow returned and reported result of recce. 1300 Coy started move to new area. 1600 Coy arrived in new location and HQ established along Vire – Vassy road 3 miles from Vire. 1815 Informed by CRASC that A.P. ordered to move forward to Quentin Les Chardennets. Opened new area 2200 hrs. 17 August 1944 [no entry] 18 August 1944 1200 Orders received to withdraw A.P. at 1800 hrs. 1900 A.P. withdrawn and Lieut. Haley reported back with his vehicles. 19 August 1944 1100 O.C. attended conference at CRASC received warning of probable move of Coy the following day to new area Flers. Recce parties to RV at Georges-des-Groseillies at 1600 hrs. 1400 O.C. held conference of all Officers, Recce party detailed. 1440 Recce Party under Capt. Uglow proceeded to new area. 2000 Recce Party returned. 20 August 1944 1030 O.C. attended conference at CRASC, received details of move in the afternoon. ‘A’ Pl. under Lieut. Haley detailed for G.T. work in connection with the establishment of an Army Rd at Falais[e] to be ready to move at 1400 hrs to harbouring area near Le Beny Bocage. Under Command CRASC 8 Corps Tps. 1130 O.C. held conference and ‘A’ Pl. detailed for GT work. Ammunition off loaded from ‘A’ Pl. in situ. Lieut. Haley proceed on recce of harbouring area. 1300 ‘A’ Pl. move to harbouring area Le Beny Bocage. 1640 Coy pass S.P. 1845 Coy arrived new location Georges-des-Grosseillers. Capt. A.E.S. Menzies attached to 172 Coy RASC to be O. i/c mixed transport Platoon on G.T. work. 21 – 22 August 1944 [no entries] 23 August 1944 ‘A’ Pl. under Comd of Lieut. Haley moved from Beny Bocage to Bayeux. Still under Command CRASC 8 Corps troops. 24 August 1944 Capt. A.E.S. Menzies rejoined unit. 25 August 1944 1200 Two Sections from ‘B’ Pl. detailed to be attached to 47 Coy to make up together with Sections of 47 Coy a complete Transport Pl. Capt. K.F.R. Uglow i/c. This Platoon moved to Bayeux area under Command CRASC 8 Corps Troops. 26 August 1944 Capt. A.E.S. Menzies attached to 47 Coy RASC for duty as petrol Officer. 27 August 1944 [no entry] 28 August 1944 A Section of W/Shops sent to Bayeux to maintain ‘A’ Pl. and two Sections of ‘B’ Pl. operating under S & T 8 Corps in that area. 29 – 31 August 1944 [no entries]
1 September 1944 C.O.: Major N.U. Coates, RASC 1200 Orders for move to new area Les Andeleys received. 1400 Recce Party under Capt. R.E.R. Randall proceeded to new area. Capt. Uglow returned with 2 Secs of ‘B’ Platoon having completed his G.T. detail. 28 – 3 ton lorries loaded with Amn and Petrol sent forward to new area under Lieut. Thompson. Loads to be dumped and vehicles returned. Lt. Thompson departed 2200 hrs. Appx A, B, C 2 September 1944 0400 Lt. Thompson arrived with his convoy at the new location. Vehicles unloaded. 1000 Lieut. Thompson with 28 vehicles returned to old location. Capt. Randall and Recce party remain in new area. ‘A’ Platoon returned having completed its G.T. work, covering over 1500 miles during the last fortnight. One Platoon from 223 Corps Troops Coy attached under Lieut. Woolveridge. 3 September 1944 28 x 3 ton vehicles under Capt. Uglow and Lt. Thompson despatched to transport 185 Bde to new area. 20 x 3 ton vehicles collected petrol from Bayeux and rejoined at 2130 hrs. Attached Corps Tpt. Pl. loaded with Petrol, Ammunition and Stores. Many vehicles loaded to 4 tons. 2330 Coy left location for new area. Route – Flers, Argentan, L’Aigle, Vernuil, Brituil, Neuborg, Louviers, Les Andeleys. 4 September 1944 1200 Coy arrived new location – Guisiniers. No breakdowns. Total miles covered 150. O.C. reported to CRASC. Ordered to send one Platoon off to Bayeux at 2000 hrs for G.T. work, carrying Petrol from Bayeux to Arras, a distance of 360 miles on a 5 day turn round. 1900 ‘B’ Pl. sent off under Capt. K.F.R. Uglow and Lt. Thompson. During the day all vehicles were unloaded. 2300 Corps Tpt Pl unloaded and sent back to Argentan. Coy ordered to take over P.P. at 172 Coy’s location. 5 September 1944 0700 25 x 3 tonners sent to collect petrol from L’Aigle area to be dumped at P.P. Capt. Hollway put in charge of Petrol. 1800 Ordered to despatch ‘A’ Platoon to Bayeux to transport Petrol to Arras as ‘B’ Pl. at 1500 hrs 6 Sept. 44. 2 NCOs on M/Cycles detached to a mixed transport Platoon under Capt. Barlow. 2015 ‘A’ Pl. returned and unloaded Pet at P.P. A mixed transport Pl. under Lieut. Saunders consisting of ‘B’ vehs from the Bns arrived to help with the collection of petrol. 6 September 1944 0700 Mixed platoon started off to load with Petrol at L’Aigle. 1200 Lieut. Davies sent to CRASC to take over a mixed platoon formed from Bde vehicles. Two NCOs on M/Cycles sednt with him. Reserve Pet Dump for Div established in location. 2000 Platoon returned and unloaded Petrol at P.P. Lt. Col. A.K. Yapp (CRASC) visited location and held a conference of Workshops Officers. Coy. Workshops ordered to establish themselves in the GISORS area on the up route from Bayeux to Arras and to be responsible for repairing and salvaging vehicles on a sector of the route. 2020 Capt. Oubridge recce area and found suitable Garage in Gisors. 7 September 1944 0700 Attached Platoon proceeded to L’Aigle to load with petrol. 0900 Workshops moved to Gisors. 1200 Workshops opened at Gisors. 1900 Attached Platoon returned and Petrol unloaded. Orders received for Platoon to proceed to Bayeux immediately. 2200 Platoon started to proceed to Bayeux and ceased to be attached. ‘B’ Platoon harboured during the night on their way back from Arras to Bayeux. A mixed Platoon attached. No officer, consisted of 3 ton vehicles drawn from ‘B’ Ech. Tpt. of Bns. 8 September 1944 1100 Capt. R.E.R. Randall attended a conference at CRASC re a further tpt platoon to be found from remaining vehicles left in Coys. This Coy to provide 7 x 3 ton lorries. 1700 Vehicles under Cpl. Worrall reported to RV 48 Coy location. Only 2 x 3 ton Office vehs left in location. 15 x 3 ton vehicles of attached Platoon collected 12,500 gallons of Petrol from 54 F.M.C. for Div Dump located in Coy area. 9 September 1944 12,500 gallons of petrol collected and dumped in Coy location. “B” Platoon harboured in area on the way back to BAYEUX. 10 September 1944 12,800 gallons of petrol collected and dumped in Coy location both in the morning and afternoon. 11 September 1944 [no entry] 12 September 1944 A small party of 20 men under Captain Randall and Captain Menzies visited PARIS. 25000 gallons of petrol dumped in location. To be a reserve for the Div RASC. Assigned platoon under Captain Barlow HQ RASC delivered a load of petrol at P.P. and harboured for the night in Coy location. 15 x 3 ton vehicles of attached platoon collect 12,500 gallons and dump in location in the morning and again in the afternoon. 13 September 1944 Mixed platoon under Captain Barlow remained in location. Two loads of 12,500 gallons collected and dumped in location by 15 x 3 ton vehicles of attached platoon. 2000 “A” and “B” Platoons returned complete having finished their G.T. work on the BAYEUX – ARRAS run. Average time taken for an estimated 5 days turn round was 3½ days. 14 September 1944 0800 Captain Barlow’s Platoon left to pick up ammunition for 43 Div. 0930 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. Received warning order for move Sept 17 to Area DIEST north east of BRUSSELS. P.P. opened in location for all units in Div for refilling and topping up prior to move of Div. 12,500 gallons of petrol collected and dumped during the morning and again during the afternoon. 15 September 1944 1430 Instructions received that both “A” and “B” Platoons were required to lift 9 Bde to new area. In addition to load ¾ ton of amn (25 pdr) from 48 Coy RASC location and to be ready to move at 1800 hrs. 1800 Plns lift. “A” Pl. lift 2 Lincs. “B” Pl. lift KOSB. 2100 O.C. attended conference. Warned of move the following day. During the past week over 700 tons of petrol had been collected and dumped by this unit. Lt. Davies who returned at 1900 hrs, his platoon of unit first line vehicles having been disbanded; covered over 1700 miles during the past week. 16 September 1944 0830 Recce party under Captain Uglow left for harbouring area. 1000 One platoon from 48 Div Tps Coy arrived to pick up “B” Pl’s ammunition in order to carry it forward to new area. Moved with own Coy. 1215 One Corps Tpt Platoon arrived to pick up and carry forward “A” Pln’s ammunition. 1300 One mixed Tpt platoon from 6 Guards Armd [sic] Bde arrived loaded with petrol to be attached to this Coy for move to new area. 1600 Loading complete. Coy left plus att’d plns for new area. 17 September 1944 1130 Company arrived harbouring area SOIGNIES. Fairly good journey. 4 vehicle casualties during the night. 1145 O.C. reported to CRASC. 1745 Coy moved off, crossed S.P. 1830 hrs. 1800 Troop Carrying vehicles of ‘B’ Pl. completed their detail and arrived at new location. 18 September 1944 0200 O.C. informed that new location had been changed to area PEER. 1130 Coy arrived at new location south of PEER. Troop Carrying vehicles of ‘A’ Pl. having completed their detail returned to new location. 1900 A.P. sent out under Lieut. Thompson to PETIT BROGEL. 25 Vehicles from ‘A’ Pl. under Lt. Haley sent to collect Petrol from Brussels. 19 September 1944 1200 Instructions received that A.P. would probably be moved to new area over the Escaut Canal. 1400 Capt. Uglow sent to recce an area. Reported that area was under Small Arms Fire and that it would be impossible to establish an A.P. over the Canal. CRASC informed. 1800 Workshops arrived from old location. 2230 Orders received to move A.P. to area just south of Canal at Lille St. Hubert the following morning. 1830 25 Vehicles returned from Petrol detail. 20 September 1944 0600 O.C. recced area for A.P. at Lille St. Hubert. 0900 A.P. opened new area. 1000 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. Warned to have 18 vehicles standing by for Troop Carrying from 0600 hrs 21st Sept. 44. Cancelled at 1700 hrs. 33 Vehicles reported V.O.R. Capt. A.E.S. Menzies appointed Transport Officer. 21 September 1944 1000 O.C. attends conference at CRASC. Received instructions to move A.P. forward over the Escaut Canal to Hamond. 1200 CRASC met Lt. Thompson Officer i/c A.P. and recced new area. Warning received that Company was likely to move to a new area the following day. 1400 Capt. Uglow sent to recce new area PETIT BROGEL. All vehicles reported V.O.R. on Monday now on road again. 22 September 1944 0700 Capt. Oubridge left with four vehicles to collect spares from Bayeux. 1000 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. Move of Company postponed. 2100 Warning Order received for a Troop Carrying Detail during the night. One Platoon complete ordered to Stand by. 2110 O.C. attended conference with CRASC at HQ 48 Coy RASC. 2145 O.C. returned from conference. 20 vehicles to be despatched immediately from this Coy. 15 from ‘A’ Pl. 5 from ‘B’ Pl. together with 10 from 172 Coy RASC under Lt. Haley to help lift 185 Bde and later 9 Bde. 2320 Vehicles moved off to meet Bn. guides at Petit Brogel. 23 September 1944 0330 To [two?] Explosive vehicles sent out to A.P. Urgent Detail for R.Es. 0845 Capt. Barlow Ammunition Officer CRASC arrived and stated that a further two Standard A.Ps were to be sent out for 8th and 9th Bdes which were being sent out on independent roles. 18 vehicles, 6 from each of other three Coys to report immediately for loading with Smalls. Lt. Kirk 48 Coy RASC i/c one A.P., Lt. Davies i/c other A.P. A.Ps to be ready to move at 1300 hrs. 1000 O.C. attended conference at HQ 48 RASC. Informed that Coy would move to new area LEENDE the next day. 1200 Capt. Uglow and recce party proceeded to recce new area. 24 September 1944 1000 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. Move of Coy postponed until following day. 1400 Capt. Uglow and recce party proceeded to new area HEEZE to complete Recce for location for Coy. Eight loads of Ammunition ferried forward to new area. Recce party act as Guard. 1730 O.C. attended conference at 48 Coy RASC re move of Admin area the following day. 2100 O.C. held conference of Officers and gave orders for the move of Coy to new location the next day. 25 September 1944 0800 Received time of start for move of Coy to new area. 1110 Coy started move to new area. 1330 Coy arrived new area one mile North of Heeze. Defences posted and HQ established. 1830 Capt. Oubridge returned with spare engines and MT [??] stores from Bayeux. Lt. Haley reported and enquired whether his 20 vehicles on Troop Carrying should return. Instructions received that he was to lift 2nd East Yorks early the following morning. 26 September 1944 1000 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. 1100 Lt. Thompson’s A.P. recalled. Lt. Haley returned with his Troop Carrying vehicles. 5 x 3 ton vehicles sent to 2nd E. Yorks on attachment loaded with ammunition and supplies for their move. 27 September 1944 1000 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. Lt. Davies’ A.P. recalled. 1430 Lt. Haley sent out with A.P. to take over A.P. at Deurne [??] from Lt. Kirk. 28 September 1944 1000 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. 1730 Padre held service in Coy location. 29 September 1944 1000 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. 30 September 1944 1000 O.C. attended conference at CRASC. 1300 Lt. Thompson sent out with 30 vehicles to collect Ammunition from 56 F.M.C. to make up establishment holdings for Div’l RASC. 1500 7 x 3 ton sent out to both 8th and 185 Bdes loaded with extra 4.2 and 3” Mortar Mk.VIIIs. Vehicles to move with Bdes 1 Oct. Dump ammunition and return to Coy. 2300 Vehicles returned from attachment to 2nd E. Yorks.
