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War Diary: 1st Bn Royal Tank Regiment

Month and year: Febuary 1944

The 1st Battalion Royal Tank Regiment February 1944 war diary details their time in Sugar Hill Camp, a march to Didlington Hall and collecting tanks from Birmingham

National Archive Reference: WO 171/865

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Page 1 of 2
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
Map ref. Scale 1" Swaffham & East Dereham Sheet 66 1.2.44 0630 Reveille.
2415 Sugar Hill Camp. Quadrilateral Camp. 0800-1230 Training, courses, etc.
1400-1730 " " "
1800 Guard & Fire Piquet mount. This was a normal day's routine.
2.2.44 to 10.2.44 Normal routine.
11.2.44 The Divisional Commander gave a talk to officers concerning the future of
the Division. Normal Routine.
12.2.44 The CO told the unit of future events as far as possible. Normal Routine.
: 13.2.44 Normal routine.
15.2.44 0800 There was a TEWT for all officers (See Appendix). The problems were
thoroughly discussed. Normal routine for remainder.
APP I
15.2.14 ) Normal routine.
16.2.44 )
17.2.44 0930 The whole unit started to march to park by Didlington Hall, about 3/4 mile
to the west of the camp.
1000 The unit formed up in place with the other units in 22 Armd Bde and some
Divisional Troops.
1200 The C in C arrived and inspected the troops. After the inspection the C in C
made a speech in which he expressed optimism for the future.
1230 The unit marched back to camp and carried on with normal routine.
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY.
The Commander-in-Chief expressed great pleasure at his inspection of the
Division today. He has instructed me to say that he was much impressed
by the keenness and soldier-like bearing of the troops whom he saw and
that it was a real pleasure to be with them again. I would like this message conveyed
to all ranks. GWEJ ERSKINE Maj Gen.
Page 2 of 2
Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information References to Appendices
Map ref Scale 18.2.44 to ) Normal Routine.
21.2.44 )
1th Swaffham & East Dereham 22.2.44 800 A TEWT was held for tank commanders.APP. 2
Sheet 66 915 A party of tank drivers proceeded to BIRMINGHAM to collect tanks.
Sugar Hill 1700 A party of drivers proceeded to GUILDFORD to collect lorries.
Camp. Quadrilateral 23.2.44 Normal routine for remainder.
Camp. Normal routine. Some butterfly bombs were dropped by a hostile
aircraft just to the south of Sugar Hill Camp during the afternoon.
24.2.44 0800 A party, consisting mostly of men who had long service with the unit
proceeded to BRANDON Station to form a guard of honour.
0930 His Majesty The King arrived and inspected the Guard of Honour. He
questioned several of the Guard on their decorations and length of
service.
1200 The unit lined the road at the entrance to the camp. His Majesty
walked between the ranks on either side of the road. He was given
three hearty cheers by the troops, who again cheered him as he drove off.
His Majesty last paid the unit a visit near TRIPOLI, North Africa
during 1943.
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY.
His Majesty The King expressed his high appreciation of the fine
appearance of the Division today. He expressed his special pleasure at seeing
so many officers and men who have recently returned from active service.
He wished me to convey to all ranks his good wishes in the future tasks
of the Division. Signed GWEJ ERSKINE Maj Gen. Comd.
25.2.44 to Normal Routine
29.2.44 0815 A TEWT was held for all officers and tank commanders.APP 3

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