Farnley Park - Otley, York 1944
Farnley Park - Otley, York 1944
1st January
Expected to bring in the New Year at Prestwick, weekend pass refused. I.C. town picket in Otley. Trouble in a couple of pubs which brought under control when the trouble makers were threatened with close arrest. The trucks standing by were not required. Reported "all quite" to duty officer in the early hours of the morning. Browned off as I could have managed to be at home as there were no duties today (CSM was being awkward).
2nd January
Attended mass at 0845, three of us turned-up. Returned to camp, started packing for an exercise in Hull. Left by TCV at 1145 arriving at the village of Hutton, about four miles from Hull, in the afternoon. Billeted there for the night.
3rd January
Commenced a street fighting exercise at 0830, using Hull town centre which has been almost totally destroyed by enemy bombing. Street clearing was the main point of the exercise using covering fire from rifle, machine gun together with hand grenades. Returned to Sutton at 1600.
4th January
Exercise finished at 1430. Left Sutton by train at 1530, arriving back at Farley Park ar 2115. Feeling the effects of jumping out of windows and kicking in doors. Legs strained and very painful.
5th January
I.C. Fire Picket. Tackled fire in "D" Company's lines; half of hut was destroyed before we brought the fire under control. The remainder of the day was spent in cleaning and checking weapons after our visit to Hull.
6th January
With the platoon CO on battle drill in the forenoon. Cloth model exercise in the afternoon given by the CO. Left the camp at 1900 on a night exercise, returning at 2200.
7th January
Company on "all day " route march. Remained in camp preparing for weapons cadre which will be giving to other ranks at Brigade HQ next week. The company returned at tea-time with the usual number of blisters for the MO to check-up on.
8th January
Had the company CO's room and rifle inspection in the forenoon. The usual faults noted. Arms drill in the afternoon completed the day's duties. Cleaning equipment, a shower and writing letters completed my day.
9th January
Attended mass in the canteen at 0900. Brigade HQ in the afternoon to check accommodation available for the other ranks attending the weapons cadre.
10th January
Started weapons cadre course at 0900. The class consisted of REME privates. Except for the usual odd soldier everyone was taking an interest in the various weapons and how to handle them. Returned to Farnley Park at 180.
11th January
The battalion marched out in a rain storm on exercise "Clansman"; a four day field exercise. Weather now bitterly cold. Still instructing at Brigade HQ and returning to camp at 1800.
12th January
With the REMEs on the firing range on the Ilkley Moors. Rain and muddy conditions making it difficult to get instructions across. Gave it up, early afternoon, and allowed the men to return to Brigade HQ. Returned to camp wet right through.
13th January
With the cadre on advanced weapon and field exercises in the forenoon which continued until 1500. Packed-up due to the state of the weather. Cancelled night exercises and returned to camp. Trucks bringing in casualties in fairly large numbers from exercise Clansman (I'm glad I missed it).
14th January
The battalion returned, from Clansman, in the forenoon, tired and dirty. Forced marching seems to have been the main point of the exercise. Still with the weapons cadre at Brigade HQ; returning to camp at 1800.
15th January
"A" Company busy cleaning up and checking weapons after "Clansman". Myself, at Brigade HQ in the forenoon. Had an interview with the Company CO, Major Aitken, in the afternoon regarding leave.
16th January
Went over the battle course with the cadre in the forenoon. Finished my stint at Brigade HQ today; enjoyed the change, at least better than being on "Clansman". Went to mass at Otley, returned to the camp, showered, wrote letters, finished my day.
17th January
Attended padre's hour at 0900. Bath parade to Leeds in the forenoon, weapons inspection and PT signing. The warning roll completed the day's duties.
18th January
On the Ilkley Moors firing range with "A" Company in the forenoon. Had instruction on Bren Gun fire for the Platoon. Route march in the afternoon. Feet inspection before tea time finished the day.
19th January
Platoon on fire picket. All ranks confined to camp, remainder of Company on cross country exercise. Passed the time in reading and writing letters.
20th January
Our Platoon on In-lying Picket, the other Platoons on camp fatigues. Lecture in the afternoon at the RE camp on the various ways of defusing German and Italian mines.
21st January
Give a lecture by Major Napier and Irvine of the 5/7 Gordons on their experiences with the 51st Highland Division in North Africa. Very interesting; lasted all afternoon. With the Platoon on the firing range outside York. Returned to camp at 1800.
22nd January
Spit and polish in the forenoon. Had a pass granted to spent the afternoon in Leeds. Went to the pictures and returned to the camp at 200. One of the guards was accidentally shot in the stomach during the night.
23rd January
Went to mass in the camp at 0930. Remainder of the day writing, reading and sleeping. Real surprise tonight; was able to buy four oranges in the NAAFI.
24th January
Weapons training, padre's hour and rifle drill in the forenoon. Out with the Platoon on Battalion cross country exercise in the afternoon in a rain storm. Returned to camp before tea time soaked to the skin.
25th January
All day field exercise leaving camp at 0930 in a rain storm (conditions couldn't be worse - rained continuously). Returned to Farnley Park at 1800 soaked and exhausted. Feet inspection, tea, then bed.
26th January
Weapons cleaning and inspection in the forenoon, rifle drill in the afternoon finished the day`s duties. Having an easy time of it since arriving at Otley after two years training as assault troops in the Orkney Islands; must be resting the Battalion for something in the near future.
27th January
Small arms training from after breakfast until evening meal. Left on a night exercise, returning to camp at 0200. Had a letter from Nancy, who is expecting a baby next month, saying she is fine but getting fed up.
28th January
Duty Company today. In charge of OR's on camp fatigues and checking cleanliness of the camp. Paraded with our best battle dresses for CQM`s to check for proper fitting. What a joke.
29th January
Practising ceremonial drill for next week's inspection by General Montgomery. The officers and RSM Black seemed quite pleased with the performance.
30th January
In charge of "B" Platoon on in-lying picket, spent the day in scrubbing and polishing for the Battalion CO,s inspection on Monday.
31st January
Camp inspection by CO. Inspected the beds in the first hut, seemingly they left a lot to be desired as he left our lines in a bit of a temper (bet my Platoon Officer will be getting a dressing down and will pass it on to me). Marched the Platoon to Brigade HQ. There was cross country marathon in the afternoon, Gordons were not in the hunt.