View MapView MapNational Archive Reference: WO 171/867
The "References to Appendices" column for this document was empty so has been omitted.
All diaries for this unit:
Please use the contact us page to report any errors or inaccuracies.
Many of the location in this diary have been geocoded, these locations are highlighted
clicking on them will display them on a map. Many location also have historical maps and aerial photographs
of the area available.
Found this useful?
If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betts Covert | 1 | 2 Cromwell Command Tanks arrive | |
| 2 | CO goes on leave. Major R.B.Fleming assumes command of the regt. | ||
| 3 | Capt Bellamy-Brown posted to RAC Depot, Catterick | ||
| 18 Cromwell tanks arrive | |||
| 4 | No events | ||
| 5 | No events | ||
| 6 | 0830 | Party leaves Betts Covert under Lt Butler to collect 11 HONEY tanks from Slough | |
| 7 | 1700 | Lt. BUTLER returns from Slough with 11 HONEY tanks | |
| 8 | 2/Lt HARGREAVES posted to this unit. | ||
| 9 | Lt.Col. WILSON returns and re-assumes command of the regt. | ||
| 10 | CO's order re Exercise *SPRINGBOK" | ||
| 11 | 2/Lts CROCKER, ALLEN, ABRAM, and CLARKE posted to this unit from OCTU. | ||
| 2/Lt SABATINI leaves to collect "B" vehs from OXFORD | |||
| 1640 | Regt leave to take part in Exercise *SPRINGBOK" and harbour for night at MR 2322 Sheet 66 | ||
| 12 | 0800 | Regt leave harbour and Exercise "SPRINGBOK" begins. | |
| 1020 | Cpl WHITEHEAD, "C" Sqn, killed by smoke shell | ||
| 1620 | "SPRINGBOK" ends Regt harboured for night in FROGSHILL area (Sheet 76) | ||
| 1700 | co's conference re Exercise "KANGAROO" | ||
| 13 | 0745 | Exercise "KANGAROO" starts. | |
| 1525 | "KANGAROO" ends, Regt returns to BETTS COVERT. | ||
| Visit of Lt. Col.DENHAM-DREW to Regt. 2/Lt SABATINI returns to Regt with 6 "B" vehs. | |||
| 14 | CO on Div TEWT | ||
| 2/Lt HARGREAVES and 2/Lt HEYNES posted to "A" Sqn. 2/Lt CROCKER posted to "C" Sqn. | |||
| 2/Lt ALLEN posted to "B" Sqn. | |||
| Future address of regt- 5th Royal Tank Regt | |||
| A.P.O., England. CO attends Div TEWT | |||
| 7882672 AULC DOLBY posted to HQ Sqn from "A" Sqn | |||
| Transport holidays discontinue. | |||
| 16 | 1100 | Talk by CO to all offrs in RHQ mess, Subject:- Future Operations | |
| 1800 | "A" Sqn plus 2 "B" Sqn tanks leave by Tank train for WICKHAM MARKET. |
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events and Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betts Covert | 17 | 0400 | "B" Sqn leave by Tank train for WICKHAM MARKET. One tank fell off war flat during loading causing delay. |
| 2100 | "C" Sqn plus 2 Tanks RHQ leave by Tank train for WICKHAM MARKET "A" Sqn fire T & A AP practices at BOYTON Ranges | ||
| Lt.JANSEN posted to "C" Sqn from HQ Lt.MEDLAND posted from "C" Sqn to HQ and assumes duties of Wireless Offr | |||
| 18 | "B" Sqn fire T & A practice at BOYTON Ranges | ||
| 0630 | "A" Sqn leave for HONEYHILL Camp by road C of I regarding the death of Tpr WHITEHEAD. | ||
| 19 | "A" Sqn fire HE also Troop shoot on TITCHWELL Range "C" Sqn and RHQ fire T & A practice on BOYTON Ranges | ||
| 1700 | Bde Comd addresses all offrs in the DESERT RAT Theatre on Exercises, "SPRINGBOX" and "KANGAROO* | ||
| 20 | 0400 | "B" Sqn leave by train for DOCKING Major PATON takes over duties of Offr i | |
| Sgts Mess Accounts. | |||
| 21 | 0800 | "C" Sqn plus 2 HQ Tanks leave WICKHAM MARKET for DOCKING | |
| 1400 | "A" Sqn leave DOCKING by train for BRANDON "B" Sqn fire HE and troop shoot. "C" Sqn and 2 RHQ tanks fire HE and troop shoot "B" Sqn returns by train to BRANDON | ||
| 22 | 0900 | "C" Sqn plus 2 tanks RHQ return to BRANDON Promotions: 7882977 W/Sgt LYONS "C" Sqn promoted to SQMS 791143 0 AP/L/Sgt LUND, HQ Sq, promoted to AP/Sgt. 7884411 AP/L/Sgt FYFFE, C Sqn, promoted to AP/Sgt. 7904606 AP/L/Sgt ROBINSON, A Sqn, promoted to AP/Sgt. 786025 W/Cpl COOPER, B Sqn, to AP/L/Sgt 4200233 W/Cpl GORDON,HQ, to AP/L/Sgt 558597 W/Cpl ONIONS, B Sqn, to AP/L/Sgt | |
| 23 | 1400 | Visitation by Maj Gen Sir Chas Broad, KCB, DSO; Col Comd of RTR | |
| 24 | ) | ||
| 25 | ) No event | ||
| 26 | ) | ||
| 27 | 1430 | Regt visited by the Div Comd who addressed the Regt formed up at Betts Covert | |
| 28 | Officers inter Sqn postings: Lt Babbage, B Sqn, to HQ. Lt SABATINI, HQ Sqn to B Sqn. | ||
| Betts Covert | 29 | Awards: MID Sgt CAMPBELL, B Sqn, and APLC HAY, HQ Sqn | |
| 30 | 1030 | Regt Church Parade Service in DESERT RAT Theatre conducted by Rev A.H. DICKSON |
Found this useful?
If you've found this resource useful please consider supporting us to digitise more war diaries, documents and maps.