Reading through 1st Batt Liverpool Scottish war diaries searching for something, I came across this little Jem. Bawdsey, Suffolk. 28.6.40., 02.25 hours. D coy report six bombs in the neighbourhood of D coy HQ. These bombs were afterwards discovered to have fallen in a line 600 - 800 yds from D coy HQ. The craters averaged about 6' x 3'. Casualties; 2 x rabbits (killed) 1 x cow (injured). I'll Post any more that I find!!
5th battalion Cameron Highlanders, New years day 1944: "A game of football between the Officers and Sgt`s was played in the afternoon, and resulted in a win for the Officers by 4 goals to 2. The football changed over to Rugby on numerous occasions during the course of the match". It doesn't state who changed the game though.!!!
I just this evening noticed that the newsletters in the appendices of the 6RWK diary regularly refer to a fellow battalion in the 36th Infantry Brigade (which I take to be the 8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders) as 'The Ladies'. Is this a local peculiarity or a common theme: kilts = skirts?
1st Camerons, May 1944. Hill 5120 Kohima: "Major C.D. Hunter, M.C., in the act of planning an ambush, received a Jap bayonet clean through his trousers. Only the swift action of the light automatics at his side prevented serious penetration of his inner defences!".
A bit of a misclassification here (being post-war and non-diary), but I was browsing the papers of an ex-RMP man and spotted the pass he was issued on his last day:
There are a fair few jokes in this: 24th Lancers Newsletter: 'Lancer Life'. Which reference a number of instances and things that might not have quite made the 24th L war diary. I did see this though: "29/4/41 General Sir Ronald Adam visited the Regiment. Sir Ronald stated that he considered the Regiment (24th L) to be the best in Northern Command, as far as saluting was concerned. As the GOC-in-C, passes through Boroughbridge at least twice a week, his remarks are considered to be highly satisfactory."
Report on football match between 2nd Queens Own Cameron Highlander Regiment and the Olympic Club in PATRAS at 1500 on 3 December 44 (first day of Dekemvriana). "Despite only being able to muster a team from HQ and Support Companies, we only just lost to the Greeks 3-2. The crowd of 3000 which turned up to watch was much larger than the EAM demonstration in George Square and far more enthuaiastic. The Greeks have a peculiar system of replacing a tired man with a fresh one, consequently the Battalion played against a total of nineteen men, but the spirit of friendliness was overwhelming, and so enthusiastic were the crowd about either side's scoring a goal, that each goal was greeted with a rally of shots in the air."
2nd Battalion Liverpool Scottish, on exercise, June 5th 1941, Ninfield area, Bexhill East Sussex. "An amusing incident occurred when the Brigade Staff were confronted with a Bridgeless stream. The junior members of the Entourage leapt joyfully over, but the Brigadier stood hesitating on the brink- the earth crumbled beneath him and our Brigade Commander was plunged ignominiously into five feet of water. His Military training undoubtedly stood him in good stead, as he remained completely unruffled and casually remarked "Its deeper than I thought", and then, "I'm afraid that's ruined my tobacco". The onlookers restrained their laughter and tried to rescue their leader, but alas, the banks were vertical and there was nothing they could do. The Brigadier clutched at grasses and twigs as a drowning man would clutch a straw, with the same success. At last he found a foothold and heaved himself to safety, and a hurried return to Brigade H.Q.".
102 Anti-Tank Regiment RA: Feb 14 (1944) 1400: 1 x M 10 arrives from Scotland covered with heather but neither usquebaugh nor haggis.
I came across an RAF court martial record where the pilot of a Lancaster was convicted of low flying at 7 , seven feet , with 6 months loss of seniority and a red endorsement , when asked if he had anything to say in mitigation he replied : I thought I was no lower than 15 feet
152 Brigade commander, Brigadier MacMillan and CO of 5th Camerons, Lt.Col. Monro, entering Biancavilla, Sicily, 7th August 1943; "About 2 miles from Biancavilla they met Major Hamilton Russell commanding a squadron of the Royals who informed them that Biancavilla was unoccupied by enemy troops. Consequently they made their way into the town itself. They motored on, but, though unoccupied by hostile troops, the Town was very much occupied. The streets were thronged with the local inhabitants, determined to ensure that the conquerors were not without welcome. White flags were waved, flowers and grapes were thrown into the jeeps, and soon the crowd was so thick that they could not proceed at all. As soon as a jeep stopped, its occupants were heartily kissed on both cheeks by whoever was nearest, but this was always a very unwashed and unshaven member of the male sex, the Brigadier and the C.O. were soon standing up in the jeeps, shouting at the drivers to beat a hasty retreat". (Makes you wonder what they would think of modern day various sexual denominations!!!)
I found one in the 112th Wessex Royal Artillery Records. An officer observed a German Soldier popping off to the toilet and waited for him to relieve himself before ordering a fire of artillery over his head, then to see the said German Soldier run for cover with his trousers around ankles. !
Posted these a few years ago.. One from the AIR records covering an exchange between NLO at Coastal Command - Captain D V Peyton-Ward and VA(S) Vice Admiral Sir Max K Horton. From the NLO Log - May 12th 1940 "1225 VA(s) rang up to ask if there is any truth in the rumors that parachute troops have been landed at Canterbury? Told him that large numbers of Reverend gents in gaiters and shovel hats in Canterbury are all considered to be authentic, except possibly the Dean! .... 1250 VA(s) has now heard that parachute troops have been landed at Broadstairs, and the Chief of Police says they are hiding in the woods! I am beginning to think that VA(s) belongs to the Fifth Column." Another from Peyton-Ward on the Norwegian escapade. 19th April 1940 2055 ALO enquired whether there was any truth in the rumour that an enthusiastic airman had broken a distinguished General's neck landing at Hatston? This, fortunately, is somewhat exaggerated. It appears that General "A", who was to have flown to the frozen north, fell down the steps of the "Senior" last night and was replaced by General "B", who was crashed along with 3 colonels, two of whom also severely concussed and one with fractured jaw, in due course at Hatston and is now in naval hospital, suffering from severe concussion. It appears on the face of it that the Almighty is somewhat opposed to the idea of British Generals proceeding to Norway by air, but the War Office, undeterred, are believed to be intent on dispatching (or despatching) General "C" How to get an interview without tea and biscuits Ross
I still think my concert part story BBC - WW2 People's War - Lt.Whitfield's directing debut about Lt.Whitfield is the funniest thing that ever happened to me in the army. Ron
Makes you wonder why he hadn't got more to do on the eve of a new operation and attack!!! " Early risers were fortunate, or otherwise, to be privileged to see the act of regeneration being performed by the domestic Bull and Cow. Subsequent performances revealed only too well the contest between the initiation of the (small ), ( virgin ) Heifer and the enjoyment of her more sophisticated elders".
Inadvertent humour here from: WO 177-697: 13 Field Ambulance (Sep 1939-Apr 1940, Jun, Aug 1940-Jan 1942): I don't much fancy being one of those wounded!
I have the WW2 Military Medal group awarded to 759596 Sgt George Keiller R.A. from Dundee. Some may recall that one of Dundee's great exports was Keiller's marmalade and whilst I can find no connection between George and the firm, I do wonder whoever wrote his reccommendation for the MM had a sense of humour or are the references to "sticky" simply a coincidence? M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1946. Sergeant George Keiller, 76 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. The recommendation states: ‘This NCO is i/c Bty Sigs and has fought through the whole of the recent campaign. On D Day, his duties were to control several separate parties on the beach itself who were concerned with mine clearance, route marking, traffic organisation and local protection. These parties were widely separated and to begin with disorganised by the heavy mortaring and shelling of the beach. He rallied these parties and by showing a complete disregard for his own personal safety, made them effective. He continued to move from one party to another and refused to take cover. His fearless conduct, and his example of leadership and cheerfulness, and his initiative, were of the very highest order. Since this first action of the campaign, Sjt Keiller has shown the same spirit and coolness and bravery which was marked down on D Day by so many in the Bty. His duties have been mainly concerned in the maintenance of communications. If there is a sticky job to be done on the line, it is Sjt Keiller who leads the party to do it. During the Venraij battle the OP line was continually cut at all hours of the day and night by mortar and shell fire. Again and again Sjt Keiller calling for a volunteer went into the most unhealthy areas and re-established line communications. When things are sticky, Sjt Keiller is there. His courage and cheerfulness and leadership are recognised by all ranks. During the campaign the communications in the Bty have been of a very high order and behind this lies a great deal of hard sweat, organisation and example on the part of the Bty NCO i/c Sigs. The above two instances are only examples of many tasks carried out by Sjt Keiller which have shown the greatest bravery and devotion to duty.’