WO171/2347 – 9 Company RASC (General Transport) C.O.: Major E.J. Reynolds (on 1 May 1944) 1 May 1944 LEIGH-ON-SEA 0700 Coy less D Pl, Wksp detachment & A Pl moved to BARNS GREEN Nr HORSHAM. Routed through LONDON & guided by Metropolitan Police. Arrived 1500 hrs, no breakdowns. D PL arrived back from Worksop at 2000 hrs & personnel of A Pl reported in by train at 2300 hrs. Appx 1 2 May 1944 WORLEYS BARNS GREEN 0730 Party under Lieut. R.C. Gasten [?] proceeded to Victoria Dock & collected 9 DUKWS. O.C. reported to HQ RASC 39 Tpt Coln & thence to Osterley Park to see Wksp Detachment. 3 May 1944 WORLEYS 0730 Lieut. R.C. Gasten [?] & party to Victoria Dock to collect 11 DUKWS. Lt. F.V. Wesson [?] to Liverpool to collect 10 DUKWS. 4 May 1944 WORLEYS Lieut. F.V. Wesson [?] collected 10 DUKWS from Messrs Pearson L’pool. Staged at Wellington. 5 May 1944 WORLEYS 10 DUKWS arrived in making total held 99. O.C. proceeded to Byfleet to see CRASC. 6 May 1944 WORLEYS Wksp overhauling all DUKWS & all fitters & D.Ms from pls sent in to help. Appx 2 7 May 1944 WORLEYS 1000 O.C. to Coy Commanders conference at CRASC 39 Tpt Coln. 8 May 1944 WORLEYS O.C. to West Mercia to contact O.C. Motor Boat Coys. Personnel of B Pl split between A, C & D to allow 2 or more drivers per veh. for DUKW management. 9 May 1944 WORLEYS Work continued by Wksp on inspecting DUKWS. 10 May 1944 WORLEYS Training programme drawn up. Work on DUKWS continued. 11 May 1944 WORLEYS Capt. P.S. Savage to HQ 39 Tpt Coln Southend for conference. 12 May 1944 WORLEYS Lt. E.W. Keast [?] promoted Captain within W.E. of this Coy. 13 May 1944 WORLEYS 6 Matchless M/Cs evacuated to 40 VRD. Appx 3 14 May 1944 WORLEYS 1 x 3 ton Austin, 1 x 15-cwt Ford evacuated to 11 VRD. 15 May 1944 WORLEYS 0800 1 DUKW with Cpl & Driver sent to CIS COD DIDCOT for use in experiments with the making of a HOG TROUGH. 16 May 1944 WORLEYS 0400 Receipt of new AFS 1098 Scales. Copy of items taken by CQMS 377 Coy RASC. 0700 O.C. to Coy Commanders conference at HQ CRASC 39 Tpt Coln. 0800 Capt. R. Watt Smith [?] to COD DIDCOT to report on sample HOG TROUGH. 17 May 1944 WORLEYS 1600 20 ORs arrived from No. 6 Trg Btn RASC. 1800 Brig. R.H. Parmenter 11 L of C visited Unit HQ. 1900 Lieut. J. Clarke arrived being posted from 837 Coy RASC (Gen Tpt). 18 May 1944 WORLEYS Unit tpt collects G. 1098 stores from various C.O.D’s. 19 May 1944 WORLEYS Further collections of G.1098 stores etc. Initial inspections & modifications & overhauling of DUKWs continues. 20 May 1944 WORLEYS O.C. & Capt. P.S. Savage to Study Day conference at CRASC 39 Tpt Coln. Appx 4 All DUKWS in unit tested in water – non[e] unseaworthy. 21 May 1944 WORLEYS O.C. holds a conference of all officers – (OP Instructions received). 22 May 1944 WORLEYS 0730 Capt. P.S. Savage to H.Q. 11 L of C for conference. 23 May 1944 WORLEYS Waterproofing of vehicles & maintenance of DUKWS continued. 24 May 1944 WORLEYS More stores & equipment drawn from C.O.D’s & R.T.O. Horsham. 25 May 1944 WORLEYS 2 Albion W/Shop vehicles received from Old Dalby. 26 May 1944 WORLEYS Medical examination of whole unit personnel. Inoculations & vaccinations carried out. 27 May 1944 WORLEYS Bedford 3-ton (SLAVE BATTERY) & Bedford 15-cwt W/T evacuated to SLOUGH. Waterproofing for 2 W/Shops vehicles collected. 28 May 1944 WORLEYS Drivers i/c Admin vehicles practised in wading. Fine hot day. 1000 3 ORs posted to 504 G.T. Coy RASC. 29 May 1944 WORLEYS 0630 O.C. to HQ 39 Tpt Coln for conference. ‘R’ Group to Southend. 6 ORs posted to 501 Coy RASC. 30 May 1944 WORLEYS Waterproofing vehicles & painting DUKWS continued. Very hot day. 31 May 1944 WORLEYS Admin vehicles loaded with 2 str cars & stores. Petrol in Jerrycans drawn for all vehicles.
1 June 1944 WORLEYS 1600 W/Lt. C.H. Williams arrived for duty as Workshop Officer with acting rank of Capt. Appx 1 2 June 1944 WORLEYS Painting of DUKWS & training continued. 3 June 1944 WORLEYS Odd details of stores collected. Appx 1 4 June 1944 WORLEYS 4 lightweight motorcycles available at Wellington Salop. 1 DUKW sent to collect them. 5 June 1944 WORLEYS Lightweight M/C arrived, paint, tyres and clothing. 6 June 1944 WORLEYS 1400 D Day. O.C. reported to Sussex District for Movement Control details of Coy move to Marshalling Area. By working all night all DUKWS painted grey. 7 June 1944 WORLEYS 0600 Coy less 2nd Portion proceeded to Southampton. Marshalling Area company split between 7 serials: 3 officers & 42 and 15 DUKWS comprising: V/9/LST(2) 1 officer & 65, 18 DUKWS, 4 x 15-cwt: V/13/LST(2) 1 officer & 89, 18 DUKWS, 5 x 3-ton GS, 3 x 15 cwt: V/14/LST(2) 1 officer and 53 ORs, 18 DUKWS in serial: V/15/LST(2) all in Camp A. 19. 1 officer and 28 and 8 DUKWS in serial: V/16/LST(2) 1 officer and 35 and 12 DUKWS in serial: V/17/LST(2) 1 officer and 34 and 10 DUKWS in serial: V/18/LST(2) all in Camp A. 18. Certain serials supposed to move out tonight. 8 June 1944 SOUTHAMPTON 2 serials in Camp S19 moved out – but it was only a mistake & they all returned. Load of pudding fenders sent from Woolwich, also batteries and brushes. 9 June 1944 SOUTHAMPTON Serials V/9 and V/13 & V/10 embarked at Southampton after waiting for up to 12 hours in the street. 10 June 1944 FRANCE LCT anchored off the coast – some serials were allowed to swim ashore in DUKWS others not, the reason for this was not discovered. Serials V/13, V/9 and V/10 were ashore & bivouaced by evening. 11 June 1944 Enemy activity over area during night. 0222 U.S. LST in which Serial V/14 were coming across was hit forrard on starboard bows by a torpedo. Crew – 4 lost. 4 casualties from this company T/93359 Driver Hammond W. burnt back. T/233567 Driver Brewin H.K. fractured (?) skull. T/14297556 Driver Porter J. deep cut in right arm. 806788 Pte Jones P. (A.C.C.) broken leg, rib & internal haemorrhage. Casualties transferred to Hospital Ship Isle of Jersey. Serials V/15, V/17, part of V/14 came ashore & into the Coy area. 0630 Started DUKWS off loading coasters, and during the day 680 tons, with only 40 DUKWS to work. 12 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 0600 Started work, but a hold up at the ships held up work until 1000 hrs. Appx 2 Remainder of Serial V/14, Serial V/18 came in. 4 x 3 ton, 4 x 2 str cars attached to 39 Tpt Coln HQ to form a maintenance coy to keep all units supplied with Sups, P.O.L. & Amn. Mail sent out – none available for collection though a large quantity has arrived. A total of 750 tons off loaded from coasters during the day – only 45 DUKWS working – and this was more than really necessary. Hold up constantly occurring at Transhipment bays due either to lack of unloaders, or tpt to clear bays. Enemy air activity began about 2330B hrs 13 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE Constant aerial activity and A.A. fire during early hours. 43 DUKWS employed on unloading details, but shortage of shipping to unload & personnel to off load DUKWS is cutting down the potential. 4 DUKWS holed – one badly damaged – by Landing Craft leaving anchors in the DUKW fairway. 3 R.A.F. personnel badly damaged – one believed killed by a land mine about 4 yards from DUKW control point tent. All the serial of the 2nd Portion except 2 vehs came in during the evening. One veh took the wrong turning and one was left in England to come on later. 14 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 45 DUKWS employed on the circuit – fine bright day – no incidents. 750 tons offloaded. Again a hold up at Transhipment Area. 15 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 90 DUKWS employed on the circuit – 1150 tons off loaded. Still hold ups are happening between beach & Transhipment area. 20 DUKWS were brought into Coy location from England, destined for a V.R.D. which is not yet opened here. Aerial activity be enemy during the night. 16 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE All DUKWS out on detail from 0545 hrs. At 1800 hrs 1320 offloaded and final days lift of 1862½ tons. 2100 The Army Fire Service from Arromanches les Baines called out to deal with a straw fire which started off trying to burn old straw from German billets but which didn’t burn out before dark. Very heavy AA battery fire at stray hostile planes. 17 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE DUKWS on detail as before. Figures of tonnage roughly similar hour by hour with yesterdays detail. Sgt Robinson – Fd Hygiene Section inspected latrines & cookhouses and found everything in order. Hot sun and wind have burnt most mens faces and arms. Some have not been able to shave for some days, and rather enjoy the excuse. 1865 tons lifted at 2200 hrs and an hour more to run – better figure than yesterday. Estimated figure at 2300 hrs of 1907½ tons. 2230 Enemy aircraft dropped flares over the harbour – while the naval & shore A.A. opened up a heavy fire. Five DUKWS still out returned through a gap in the smoke screen by the light of the flares. 18 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE Complete Coy + 1 pl of 377 Gen Tpt Coy working on the circuit and out to coasters. 1972½ tons carried in during the day. Very heavy barrage & aerial activity late at night. 19 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE Cold wet weather strong wind out of N to NNE. At high tide (approx. 1130 hrs) barges were thrown up on the beach & fouled the fairway for DUKWs. 377 Coy had 2 DUKWs crushed between derelict barges & LCTs. Given a clear beach the job could have been continued. Carried on during afternoon but by 2200 hrs seas higher than ever & the fore shore thick with flotsam & jettison – chiefly cased equipment. Fortunately, this Coy suffered no damage or casualties. Capt. Watt Smith in bed with a severe cold – should be up tomorrow. Total tonnage lifted 726½. Pay collected from Fd Cashier at No. 14 D.I.D. Roads thick with mud and dangerous for motorcycling. 20 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE Seas high & high wind – work discontinued during high tide period. Coast a litter of equipment. L.C.T. & barges have damaged the pontoon section of the PIER. Heavy seas breaking over the various sunk small craft. All DUKWs came in without casualties. 21 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE Wild, windy day – very rough seas breaking. One DUKW sunk through overloading Amn, should be salvaged this afternoon. 1515 T/6983904 Driver COX B.L. was very badly wounded by a German S (?) mine. The accident appears to have happened when Dvr. Cox guided 2 vehs through a lane in a minefield which was blocked by a “SCORPION” Tank. The leading vehicle went round the Scorpion and either Dvr. Cox stepped on the mine or the veh set it off. Evidence is conflicting – the wounds were in chest & stomach. He was evacuated to 49 FDS ARROMANCHES-LES-BAINS and died an hour after the accident. Grave dug at 4 L of C Sub Area Cemetery. 720 tons cleared by DUKWs during the day. 22 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1000 Dvr. COX buried at Cemetery ARROMANCHES-LES-BAINS. Day cleared about noon. Sunshine, NNE wind moderating, sea calmer, still quite a high surf, but no need to stop work at high tide. Work under way on the LCTs which have piled up on the Pier. Parts of the Pier are completely smashed & at low water the water is pouring through the holes & rents in the sides of the barges & LCTs. 23 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1824 tons carried ashore. Bright fine day. Hot sun – light NE wind, no swell. Lt. WRAY of 624 Motor Boat Coy attached. 24 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2281½ tons of stores brought ashore. Good weather conditions; sea calm. Some drivers make fifteen trips round the circuit between 0600 hrs and 2230 hrs. The tonnage landed would have been greater if eight DUKWs had not been occupied during the afternoon on loading miscellaneous goods including mail onto a coaster. Control over DUKWs at sea and where necessary reallocation of DUKWs to coasters affected by a Coaster Patrol officer from the Coy on a Motor Boat attached from the Motor Boat Coy. 25 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1862 tons of stores landed. 26 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1620 tons of stores landed. A slow start was made in the morning because coasters for which DUKWs had been allocated had not berthed when the DUKWs arrived on the beach (0530 hrs). 27 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 549 tons of stores landed. A very disappointing day owing to shortage of ships for unloading and uncertainty about their movement. As a result for several hours only one ships was being unloaded. 28 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE T/Capt. P.S. Savage appointed A/Major and posted to 633 Coy R.A.S.C. as O.C. Lieut. C.G.P. Smith [??] appointed A/Capt. and assumed duties of Admin Captain. Tonnage landed 2121 tons. 29 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE Tonnage landed 1599 tons. Results again disappointing because of shortage of coasters for unloading. From 1600 hours to 2200 hours when work ceased only one ship was being unloaded. 30 June 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE Tonnage landed 2535 tons. Weather conditions favourable and number of ships for unloading adequate. 1200 HQ visited by Sacriste [??] of Church of St Comde de Fresne, damaged by artillery in initial assault, to ask if he could have assistance in preparation of church for celebration of Mass on Sunday 2 July. Facility [??] given for two volunteers of Roman Catholic religion to render this assistance to him.
1 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2355 tons of stores landed. 1000 By order of the O.C. a Court of Enquiry assembled to enquire into the circumstance in which DUKW No. 5576188[2?] was lost by sinking on 26 June. 2 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1749 tons of stores landed. The unit today received through 39 Transport Column the first allocation of Welfare articles since the opening of the Normandy Campaign. First Chuch service for members of this unit since the opening of the campaign – one for Roman Catholics at 0900 hrs and one for members of the Church of England at 2000 hours held this day. 3 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2097 tons of stores landed. Capt. E. Richards R.A.M.C. ceased to be attached to this unit on transfer to HQ 11 L of C Area. Capt. Dyson R.A.M.C. took his place. 1900 First cinema show for members of the unit since the opening of the Normandy campaign held in barn adjoining Coy HQ. During the day 633 Coy R.A.S.C. (G.T.) (commanded by Major P.S. Savage R.A.S.C.) moved into location adjoining that of this unit. 4 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2502 tons landed. Between 1100 and 1200 hours 234 tons of stores brought ashore – the best hour’s working so far recorded. A Pl of 633 Coy operated on the Coy’s circuit during the day thus bringing the total number of DUKWs operating on the circuit to 120. Control over DUKWs now exercised from a specially constructed weatherproof hut instead of from the bell tent hitherto used. 5 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2700 tons landed. 89 DUKWs operating on circuit. 6 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2292 tons landed. 85 DUKWs operating on circuit. 7 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2703 tons landed. 104 DUKWs operating on circuit. 8 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2445 tons landed. 86 DUKWs operating on circuit. 9 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2045 tons landed. 70 DUKWs operating on circuit. 10 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2100 tons landed. 78 DUKWs operating on circuit. DUKWs holed by unmarked underwater obstructions. One of these was drowned and could not be recovered until low tide. In all forty one DUKWs came into Workshops during the day, of these six were kept in overnight. 11 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2442 tons landed. 85 DUKWs operating on circuit. 24 DUKWs came into Workshops during the day; of these ten were kept in overnight. 12 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2901 tons landed. 90 DUKWs operating on circuit during most of day, increased by 14 during last two hours of working. Between 2100 and 2200 hrs 252 tons were landed – best hour’s work so far. 27 DUKWs came into Workshops; six kept in overnight. 13 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2637 tons landed. Up to 115 DUKWs operating on the circuit during the day. Twenty-two DUKWs entered Workshops, none of these kept in overnight. 14 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1692 tons landed. Up to 106 DUKWs altogether operated on circuit. Eighteen DUKWs entered workshops and of these six were retained overnight. 1800 In recognition of the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille a wreath was laid on the War Memorial, St Come de Fresne by Major E.G. Reynolds on behalf of the Company. A guard of honour of N.C.O’s and men of the Company was present. 15 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2649 tons brought ashore; a total of 109 DUKWs operated on the circuit. Sixteen DUKWs entered workshops, of these none were retained overnight. 16 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1015 Report received from 39 Tpt. Coln Control Office that during night 15/16 mines had been laid in stretch of water traversed by DUKWs of this Company. Area later in day declared to be clear. 2298 tons landed during the day. 91 DUKWs operated on the circuit. Eighteen DUKWs entered workshops, one retained overnight. During day, domestic vehicles of the Coy which had been on detachment to 39 Tpt Coln Maintenance Coy returned to Coy location on the breakup of the Maintenance Coy. 17 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 3000 tons landed; a total of 120 DUKWs operating on circuit of which 90 belonged to 9 Coy. Twenty two DUKWs entered Workshops; of these four were retained overnight. During one hour 294 tons landed. 18 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2154 tons landed; a total of 113 DUKWs operating on circuit, of which 90 belonged to 9 Coy. The total number operating fell to 50 from 1600 hrs owing to shortage of coasters. Thirty-two DUKWS received workshops attention; of these none were retained overnight. 19 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2790 tons landed; a total of 120 DUKWs operating on circuit of which 90 belonged to 9 Coy. Twenty-seven DUKWs received workshops attention, of these none were retained overnight. A new system operated in the DUKW cushion described in Appendix. Appx A 20 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2061 tons landed. 90 DUKWs operating on circuit, all belonging to 9 Coy. Thirty-five DUKWs received workshops attention; of these three were retained overnight. Lieut. R.C. Gaster injured in a motor cycle accident and evacuated to 84 General Hospital. 21 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 993 tons landed; up to 90 DUKWs all belonging to 9 Coy operating on circuit during day. Number of hatches worked was small – for some hours as low as two – and tonnage consequently disappointing. Twenty-five DUKWs received workshops attention; of these three were retained overnight. Lieut. H. Andrew assumed command of C Platoon. 22 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1989 tons landed; up to 102 DUKWs, of which 90 belonged to 9 Coy, operated on circuit. During the day 29 DUKWs received workshops attention; none were kept in overnight. 23 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1782 tons landed, up to 90 DUKWs all belonging to 9 Coy operated on circuit. Thirty-seven DUKWs received workshops attention during the day, of these two were kept in overnight. During night 22/23 propaganda leaflets were dropped by enemy planes over Company location. See Appendix B. Appx B W/Sub/ Lieut. S.J. Gadd joined the Company and assumed command of HQ Platoon. 24 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1323 tons landed. Work started very slowly and at 0800 hrs only 3 of the 8 scheduled ships were working to DUKWs. Up to 90 DUKWs all belonging to 9 Coy were operating during the day but the number was reduced to 60 for several hours owing to the small number of hatches working. Thirty DUKWs entered workshops during the day, of these two were retained overnight. 25 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1770 tons landed. Up to 80 DUKWs all belonging to 9 Coy operated on the circuit. Forty-six DUKWs received workshops attention; of these five were retained overnight. 26 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2271 tons landed; a total of 85 DUKWs operated on circuit all belonging to 9 Coy. During the day thirty-six DUKWs received workshops attention, of these five were retained overnight. 27 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1623 tons landed; 84 DUKWs all belonging to 9 Coy worked on the circuit. Twenty-five DUKWs received workshops attention; of these three were retained overnight. 28 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1596 tons landed; 82 DUKWs all belonging to 9 Coy worked on the circuit during the early part of the day but number reduced to 69 from 1600 hrs onward owing to small number of hatches to be worked. Forty-four DUKWs received workshops attention; of these eight were retained overnight. 29 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1377 tons landed; 81 DUKWS, 75 belonging to 9 Coy, operated on the circuit. This number was reduced to 50 at 1500 hrs owing to the small number of hatches to be worked. Thirty DUKWs received workshops attention, of these four were retained overnight. 30 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 1932 tons landed; 88 DUKWs operating on the circuit. Of these 75 belonged to 9 Company. Thirty-seven DUKWs received workshops attention during the day, of these nine were kept in overnight. First member of Company news sheet appeared. 31 July 1944 ST COME DE FRESNE 2121 tons landed. 88 DUKWs operated on the circuit, 75 belonging to 9 Company. Thirty-eight DUKWs received workshops attention, eleven of these were retained overnight. One Driver rejoined the Company from 101 Reinforcement Group. One Driver rejoined, eight driver, three vehicle mechanics and one Corporal posted to the Unit from 102 Reinforcement Group. Lieut. A.B. Grosvenor and Lieut. J.W. Symes posted to the Company from 102 Reinforcement Group.
