7 Bn War Diary Nov - Dec 1942

7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion.

WAR DIARY. November – December 1942.

Month and year: November 1942.

Commanding Officer: Lt-Col. KGG Dennys.

Place: Berkhamsted.

2nd November 1942

Lt-General JAH Gammell, CB, DSO, MC, C-in-C Eastern Command visited this unit at WOODLANDS PK CAMP and saw ‘A’ Coy, Mortar Pl, and Carrier Pl on training. He also met all officers.

4th November 1942.

Lt-Col KGG Dennys, Commanding Officer received a letter from the Adjutant-General to the Forces-General Sir Ronald F. Adam, Bt, KCB, DSO, OBE.  Appx ‘A’.

6th November 1942.

Lecture in TOWN HALL, Berkhamsted, by Staff Officer, Airborne Div. The Bn was informed that with effect from 7 November its new designation would be 7th Bn (LI) The Parachute Regiment, and all ranks were asked to volunteer. 420 volunteers were forthcoming.

Lt-Col. KGG Dennys, Commanding Officer, accidentally injured his left arm and was admitted to Ashbridge Hospital, Berkhamsted.

In his absence, the command of the Bn has devolved upon Major AP Johnson. Major AP Johnson, 2 i/c returned from Course No 9 at School of Infantry, Barnard Castle.

7th November 1942

Lecture at Biggleswade to all ranks of the Bn stationed in the area, on the same subject as that given at Berkhamsted on 6 NOV.

Bn converted to 7th (LI) The Parachute Regiment.

8th November 1942.

Receipt of a letter from Major-Gen. VHB Majendie, DSO, addressed to the Commanding Officer.  Appx ‘B’.

9th November 1942.

Major Johnson wrote a letter to the Adjutant-General to the Forces, General Sir Ronald Adam, Bt, KCB, DSO, OBE.  Appx ‘C’.

10th November 1942.

Major AP Johnson, 2 i/c wrote a letter to Major-General VHB Majendie, CB, DSO.  Appx ‘D’.

 

11th November 1942.

Major AP Johnson, 2 i/c wrote a letter to Commanders of all Somerset Light Infantry Battalions.  Appx ‘E’.

15th November 1942

Advance Party proceeded to HARDWICK.

?? November 1942

Major GWB Rooke, posted to No 99 PTC

?? November 1942

Capt. P.H.J. Hancock, posted to 166 O,C,T,U, for duty as Instructor.

 

?? November 1942

7th Bn (LI) The Parachute Regiment, Conversion and Movement Order No 1 issued.

20th November 1942

Bn re-organised in accordance with Appx ‘F’.

Bn moved to HARDWICK by road and rail to undergo a course of preliminary parachute training.

‘A’ Coy relieved of their operational role by a detachment of 10th Bn, The Essex Regt.

Major RTO’B. Horsford assumed command of Home Details.

23rd November 1942

Capt A Young, RAMC posted to this unit and taken on attached strength.

25th November 1942

Bn heavy baggage transported to Gordon Bks, BULFORD in charge of Holding Party under the command of Lt JD Went.

27th November 1942.

Lt-Col KGG Dennys, Commanding Officer, posted to No 3 Inf Depot, Southend-on-Sea.

Month and year: December 1942.

Commanding Officer: Lt-Col HN Barlow.

Place: Hardwick.

2nd December 1942

7th Bn (LI) The Parachute Regiment, Movement Order No 2 issued.

3rd December 1942.

Bn moved to Ringway Aerodrome, Nr Manchester to undergo course of synthetic training prior to making individual qualifying jumps as Parachutists.

15th December 1942

2/Lt LS Colchester, 2/Lt H Castle, 2/Lt R Richards posted to 7th Bn, Somerset Light Infantry.

18th December 1942.

14 Officers, and 180 Other Ranks of the Bn completed their qualifying jumps as Parachutists.

19th-20th December 1942.

Bn moved to GORDON BARRACKS, BULFORD by road and rail route.

Place: Bulford.

21st December 1942

Lt-Col HN Barlow, The Somerset Light Infantry assumed command of the Bn.

Bn, with the exception of a small holding party, under the command of Lt JD Went proceeding on 14 days leave.