War Diary: 1/5 Welch Regiment

Month and year: June 1944

The 1/5 Battalion Welch Regiment June 1944 War Diary covers the units arrival in France moving to Bronay

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1386

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WO 171/1386 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment

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Page 1 of 3

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
HERNE BAY.	1	Stage 1 of waterproofing was commenced.	Appx 1.
	3	Adm Instr No.2 was issued, which dealt with the move to the Marshalling Area.
	6	Bn was placed at six hrs notice to move to the Marshalling area. The Advance
		party consisting of Bn 2 IC and 1 rep from each Coy was placed at 2 hrs notice
		to move. All ranks were confined within a radius of 5 miles from Bn HQ.
		All transport was loaded.
	7-12	Coys spent these five days in Adm & training, which included practise of Fighting
		and Recce Patrols.
	12	The Div Comd, Maj-Gen R.K. ROSS, DSO, MC addressed the Bde GP. He stressed the
		need for avoiding unnecessary casualties and said that 53 Div was the first Welsh
		formation to go into battle in this War.
	14	Imprest Acs were closed by Coys and all personnel were paid the equivalent of
		£1 sterling in French currency. Personnel were also allowed to change any sterling
		in their possession into French currency, and were also given the opportunity of
		crediting their A/cs with any surplus sterling in their possession. Continental
		maps of the battle area was issued. These were of the scales 1-250000 and 1-50000.

Page 2 of 3

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
HERNE BAY	16	Advance Party left billet area at 2300 hrs and proceeded by road to CANNING
		TOWN, LONDON. Party consisted of BN 2 IC and five O.Rs.
CANNING TOWN	17-20	Advance party spent these four days in the Marshalling area.
EAST INDIA DK	20	Advance party embarked at 1600 hrs.
FRANCE	27	Adv Party landed at Jug Beach 37601883 at 1900 hrs. They passed through Assembly
		area at 37551865 and arrived at Concentration area 37641745 at 2100 hrs.
HERNE BAY	17	Marching Party entrained and proceeded to Marshalling area at LINGFIELD - HAYWARDS HEATH.
LINGFIELD	18-24	Marching party remained in Marshalling area.
NEWHAVEN	24	C' & 'D' Coys and half of 'HQ' and half of Pnr Pl embarked at 1400hrs.
		A' & 'B' Coys and remainder of 'HQ' Coy and Pnr Pl embarked at 1700 hrs.
FRANCE	26	C' & 'D', half of 'HQ' Coys and half Pnr Pl landed on Jig Beach 38831867 at 1330 hrs.
		They then proceeded to Assembly area and reached Concentration area 37581728 the same day.
		A', 'B', half of 'HQ' Coys and half of Pnr Pl disembarked on 'K' Beach at
		1500 hrs. Proceeded to 37641745.
	27	At 0400 hrs, 'A', 'B' half 'HQ' Coys and half Pnr Pl left to join remainder of Marching
		Party at Concentration area 37581728 at 1230 hrs.

Page 3 of 3

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
HERNE BAY	18	Vehicle Party left for Marshalling area at PURFLEET, LONDON at 0300 hrs. It
		arrived at 1200 hrs.
PURFLEET	19	Vehicle party spent day completing Waterproofing,
EAST INDIA DK	20	Vehicle party embarked on S.S. "EMPIRE PORTIA".
SUBLES	28	Vehicle party landed and proceeded to Concentration area SUBLES 7776.
		Bn concentrated and unpacked vehicles.
	29	Bn spent day reorganising and resting.
	30	Bn was ordered to move to area BRONAY 889714. The move was completed at 1500hrs.
		Coys took up positions as follows:- 'A' Coy 895699, 'B' Coy 889708, 'C' Coy
		898710, 'D' Coy 892718, Bn HQ 889714.