War Diary: 1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

Month and year: June 1944

1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment June 1944 war diary records the units time based at Bourne Park, moving to marshalling area and arrival in Normandy on the 29th June 1944 at Juno beach

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1377

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WO 171/1377 1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment

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Page 1 of 5

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information
BOURNE PARK	1	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs. P.T. Parade 0815hrs. All
		personnel in possession of no. 38 sets paraded in the field at
		0900hrs. A final performance of "BOURNE PARK RAG" was held at
		NONINGTON for 177 Inf Bde Workshops at 1930hrs.
	2	Rev 0630 Breakfast 0715hrs Parade for Cleaning Areas 0815hrs
		P.T. Parade at 0845hrs.
	3	Rev 0630 Breakfast 0715hrs. EX "VIDI" personal on this exercise
		were Sigs, "I" Secs & Snipers from HQ Coys of Bde. The Comd Offr
		and Lt Preston ( I.O. & Adjt) were on the Ex. Inf O.P's were est at
		OXROAD Fm area 6263, with Mor and RA O.P's. Rev for these personal
		at 0530hrs. Trg Films were shown to the rest of Bn at the Regal
		Cinema, CANTERBURY at 1000 - 1.200hrs. Coy Recreation and Adm
		during afternoon.
	4	Rev 0730hrs Breakfast 0800hrs All Services voluntary. Adm Day.
		All Rifles & Equipment painted today.

Page 2 of 5

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
BOURNE PARK	5	Rev 0630 Breakfast 0715hrs P.T. Parades 0815hrs. The Comd Offr
		addressed, the following at times given:- "I" Sec & Snipers 0945hrs
		Sig Pl 1100hrs on Trg & Trg problems. Normal Duty Day.
		Lt Peart (RAMC) granted the W/S rank of Capt.
	6	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs P.T. Parade 0845hrs. The O.C. Coys
		gave a talk to their coys.
		Security of Telephone Talks from Marshalling Areas	Appx "B"
	7	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs P.T. Parade 0845hrs Coys on Normal Trg.
	8	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs P.T. Parade 0845hrs RSM's Drill
		Parade. Offrs and Sgts Day, this consisted of various talks
		given by the Comd Offr. Lt Earnshaw granted Paid acting rank of
		Capt w.e.f. 16 may 44.
	9	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs OC HQ Coy gave a talk on Beach Landings
		and Continental Map Reading to all HQ Coy.
	10	Rev 0730hrs. Com Offr addressed all Coys during morning. Free Day.
		Adm Instr No 33	Appx "C"

Page 3 of 5

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
BOURNE PARK	11	Rev 0730hrs Breakfast 0815hrs Normal Duty Day. Loading of Trucks
		carried out this morning. Evensong held in NAAFI in evening.
	12	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs. Bde Comds Talk at 0900hrs. Tidy-
		ing up of area and checking all clothing and boots
		Adv Parties to Marshalling Areas	Appx "D"
	13	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs. Bn Massed P.T. Parade at 0810hrs.
		w.e.f. today no Inter-Coy transfers within the unit will take place.
		Move to Marshalling Areas	Appx "E"
	14	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs. Bn Massed P.T. Parade 0810hrs.
	15	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs. Tidying of Camp and Kit.
	16	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs. Tidying of Camp and Kit.
		Tank Recognition - Admin - OVERLORD NOTES No. 1	Appxs("H" "G" & "F"
			respectively
	17	Adv Party leaves BOURNE PARK for Marshalling Area.	Rr
	18	Packing & Loading of Lorries. L.O.B's	Appx "I"

Page 4 of 5

Place	Date	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
BOURNE PARK	19	Rev 0630hrs Breakfast 0715hrs P.T. Parades 0845hrs.
		Blowing of Gun Pits.	Appx "J"
	20	M.T.Party Left BOURNE PARK for Marshalling Area 0730hrs.
		arrived at 16.30hrs.
		MARCHING TROOPS Left BOURNE PARK for Marshalling Area at 1230hrs,
		arrived in the evening.
	21-24	M.T. Party & MARCHING TROOPS No one allowed out of camp unless
		on duty. P.T. Rifle Inspections and Sports with plenty of
		Entertainment.
		Capt Jester and Lt Lunn posted to this Bn from the 15 Bn, The
		South Staffordshire Regt on 23rd June 44.
	25	M.T. Party. The Serials allotted to this Bn were changed today
		from A/84 85 to A/82 83. P.T. Parade & Rifle Inspection.
		MARCHING TROOPS P.T. Parade, Rifle Inspections and Drill Parades
		with Sports and Entertainments following.

Page 5 of 5