War Diary: 5th Battalion Duke Cornwall Light Infantry

Month and year: March 1944

The 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (DCLI) March 1944 War Diary covers the units time in the UK while based at Folkestone

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1280

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Page 1 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
FOLKESTONE			GENERAL:- At the beginning of the month
			the Battalian took part in a demonstration put
			on before H.M. The King. A message was
			received the commanding officer, from the
			Divisional Commander, Congratulating the Bn
			on the "excellent demonstration".
			Training during the month was varied
			consisting chiefly of range classification,
			a two-day exercise "Duchy", Signal cadre,
			Int Course, and bicycle schemes.
			At the end of the month the Bn went to
			Chatham area and carried out watermanship
			training on the MEDWAY.
			The Bn was successful in winning both
			the Stretcler Bearer competition and the motor

Page 2 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
			cycle rally, in which the whole Bde were
			Contestants.
	2		The Bn took part in a demonstration at
			KELK HILL . HM. the King, the Corps Comd and
			Divisional Comd were present, and were
			impressed with the good results.
	3		A congratulatory message was recieved by the
			Commanding Officer, from the Divisional Comdr,
			in which he stated "great credit reflects on the
			whole Bn".
	4		Exercise Duchy began at P.M. today, the
			Bn marcing out to a concentration area. Where
			the night was uneventful, but early next
	5		morning a start was made an the allocated route,
			three coys and one on bicycles

Page 3 of 8

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
5		the exercise consisted chiefly of "mopping up"
		enemy points of resistance, and exercised the
		cycle company.
7		During the morning a Carrier Cadre began and
		in the afternoon a montar Cadre.
	1930	A Farewell party for the visiting Amercans was
		held in H.Q Coy dining hall
8		The American troops left the Bn this morning
		to rejoin their own units
	1730	A conference on Ex Duchy was held by the Bde
		Comd.
		Leading trials as per new WE for vehicles were
		carried out today, and many adjustments were
		made.
9		The Div. Comd watched D Coy on Boating practice

Page 4 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	9		and the Signal Cadre practising Ground / Air
			Recognition.
	10		A Coy held a Bicycle Scheme
	11		B & C Coy proceed to Beechborough on a Fd Firing Scheme
			scheme
	12		C & D Coy proceeded is Buchborough on Fd Firing Scheme
			N.C.O.s returned from 43 Div Battle School, having
			completed course.
			The following promotions of officers were announced
			in B.O. Part???
			Capt A.Y.E Kitchen to Major. Lient T.H Gobson to Captain
			Lient CL. Blackwell to Captain. 2/Lieut KW Gilbert to W/S Lieut
			2/Lieut G.P.Greenacre to W/S Lieut.
	13		In the Bde Stetcher Bearer Competition held today
			the Bn won 1st place, the results being

Page 5 of 8

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
13		5 DCLI 64%, 7 Som L.I. 50% and 1 WORC R. 48%
	1800	All Officers attended a lecture on the operation of
		the SLIDEX Code followed by :-
	1845	a Conference on Loading Trials - Light Scales
15		a PL. Comds Course assembled at 43 DIV Battle School
		today and was attended by four Oficers and 5 W.Os & N.C.O.s
		of this Bn
	1000	Loading trial, Light Scaler were carried out
		during the morning and from the ensuing deductions
		necessary alterations were made. Vehicles & contents
		were afterwards weighed.
	1200	The Bn was present at the Garrison Theatre
		Folkestone to hear a security lecture given
		given by Capt Nallmark??? the Div Security Officer
16	1700	a Bde Cloth model Exercise was attended

Page 6 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
			by all officers.
			During the day the Bde Comd visited the Bn and
			watched the Signal Pl training.
			The Bde Comd, Col Besley, Major Bruford TD and the
			Bde Major of 179 Fd Regt were present at a
			Dinner Party held in 'A' Offrs Mess this evening
	17		The 18- Set Cadre for Officers finished today.
	19		A Bde Motor Cycle Rallyconsisting if 20 offrs
			from each Bn, was held today. This Bn
			was successful the result being -
			(1) 5 DCLI 3080 marks, (2) 1 WORC R 2980 (3) 7 SOM LI 2850.
			Lient T.J.T. Aylwin 5 DCLI was leading competitor
	20		Today began a routine change, Reville being
			at 0645 hrs on Mons'. Tues'. Thurs' and Fris, to enable the
			whole Bn to do Physical Training on these mornings

Page 7 of 8

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
		from 0715 ats 0740 hr.
		There was a cross-channel shelling dual during the
		evening.
21		A waterproofing Course look place within the Bn,
		and several vehicles were waterproofed and 'Dipped'
		at Nythe
		D Coy held a bicycle scheme.
		Another duel look place this evening
22	1400	The Commanding officer Lieut Col J.W. Atherton TD
		lectured the Bn at the Garrison Theatre Folkestone.
	1500	Under the direction of members of the A C.E. a
		demonstration of mess Tin cooking of the Compo packs
		was held, and several methods of cooking these
		commodities were demonstrated.
24		A Corps exercise 'SHUDDER' began today this

Page 8 of 8

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
	24		Bn supplying Officer umpires.
			Two officers T/mayor Vuwdrey 66135 and A/Captain T.H. Jobson P.95618
			received medal awards, the later the africa star and the
			former the 1939-43 star. During the month ORs eligible
			for these awards also recieved official information that
			were entitled to wear them.
			Lieut R.G. Williams 266426 was promoted Captain (R.A.M.C.)
	27		A & B Coy today began their march to Chatham
			area for the watermanship training.
	29		The Pl Comds Course at 43 Div Battle school dispised today.
			A & B. Coys Commenced Training with assault Pl. RE's
			at medway.
	30		A & B Coy's continued training at Medway and returned
			to Folkestone by M.T.
			C & D Coys proceed to Medway by M.T.

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War Diary: 5th Battalion Duke Cornwall Light Infantry

Month and year: March 1944

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