War Diaries
For
North Irish Horse
September 1939 To June 1946
January 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Jan 41 |
North Irish Horse |
6/1/41 |
Portrush
2Lts JG Stratton, AKE Finch-Noyes and JAG Biggs joined for duty from 102 OCTU. |
14/1/41 |
Tpr May tried by FGCM on charges under AA 15(1). |
15/1/41 |
2Lt IL McEnnery joined for duty. |
21/1/41 |
Sentence on Tpr May 28 days detention. |
31/1/41 |
As a result of a recruiting campaign carried out during the month, 33 recruits were enlisted. |
February 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Feb 41 |
North Irish Horse |
8/2/41 |
Portrush
A Sqn inspected by General the Viscount Gort, VC KCB CBE DSO MVO MC. |
20/2/41 |
Two Sqns of the Regt took part in a scheme with 250 Anti-Tank Battery. |
21/2/41 |
Sgt Millar and Sgt Mahoney interviewed by Command Interview Board and approved as candidates for an OCTU. |
27/2/41 |
Regt took part in scheme against 6th Royal Berks.
During the month, 34 new recruits enlisted in the Regt. |
March 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Mar 41 |
North Irish Horse |
11/3/41 |
Portrush
Regt inspected by the Inspector General of Signals. |
17/3/41 |
2Lts PS Bolshaw and WAP Crowe joined for duty from 101 OCTU. |
19/3/41 |
FGCM on Tpr Anderson W and Tpr Donaghy DF, under AA 6(2)(h) and 40. |
24/3/41 |
FGCM on Anderson and Donaghy promulgated, Guilty on one charge, not-guilty on two. Sentenced to 168 hours detention. |
28/3/41 |
2Lt JF Armitage joined for duty from 102 OCTU. |
31/3/41 |
During the month 17 new recruits enlisted into the Regt. |
April 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Apr 41 |
North Irish Horse |
2 - 4 |
Portrush
61 Div exercise. All HQs in communication exercise. |
8 9 |
C Sqn took part in 61 Div exercise. |
16 18 |
Regt took part in 61 Div exercise. |
19/4/41 |
A Sqn moved to BALLYKINLAR to take over Valentine tanks, and was the first Sqn of the Regt to be converted into a Sqn of an Armoured Regt. |
20 - 21 |
Major-General Sir John Brown KCB CBE DSO TD TA visited the Regt and dined in the Mess. |
22/4/41 |
HRH the Duke of Gloucester visited A Sqn. |
23/4/41 |
The following NCOs attended an OCTU Interview Board:-
Sgt Templeton, Sgt Fletcher, SQMS McIlherne, Lcpl Craig, Lcpl Williams, Lcpl Cadden. |
24/3/41 |
Lt CM LeClair MC, posted from 53rd Training Regt as Tech Adjt.
2Lt WEW Montgomery joined for duty from 101 OCTU. |
29/4/41 |
2Lt PMB Pope joined from 102 OCTU. |
May 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
May 41 |
North Irish Horse |
2/5/41 |
PortrushFGC
M held on Tpr May W for AA 15(1). |
8/5/41 |
Tpr May found guilty detention for 56 days. |
27/5/41 |
Tpr Wasson JA received fatal injuries when involved in a traffic accident. |
30/5/41 |
2Lt HC Jeffrey joined from 102 OCTU. |
June 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Jun 41 |
North Irish Horse |
3/6/41 |
Portrush
FGCM held on Tpr Scott W for AA 8(2). |
9/6/41 |
2Lt P Welch granted A/U/Capt. |
12/6/41 |
Findings of FGCM on Tpr Scott, found guilty and awarded 56 days detention. |
14/6/41 |
2Lt GS Corry posted to Regt from 101 OCTU. |
23 27 |
Number of officers, NCOs & men took part in 3 Corps exercise. |
July 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Jul 41 |
North Irish Horse |
1/7/41 |
PortrushAdv
ance party moved to BALLYKINLAR camp, Co. down. |
3/7/41 |
Main body of Regt moved to Ballykinlar Camp. |
5/7/41 |
Rear party moved to Ballykinlar. |
8/7/41 |
TEWT for all officers Armoured Regt Working with Recce Btn. |
15/7/41 |
TEWT for all officers I Tank Regt in Attack against organised resistance. |
22/7/41 |
Six further tanks received making a total of 24 I tanks Mk III.
TEWT for all officers I tanks in attack against hastily organised resistance. |
24/7/41 |
40 officers and NCOs watched a parachute demonstration at LISBURN. |
26/7/41 |
BGS 3 Corps and Staff Officers, together with officers and Sgts of NIH watched a ramp building demo and the loading of tanks on to trains. Demo was carried out by A Sqn of this Regt at NEWCASTLE railway station. |
29/7/41 |
TEWT for all officers Harbouring. |
August 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Aug 41 |
North Irish Horse |
4/8/41 |
BallykinlarA
composite Sqn, commanded by Capt Ketchell, took part in Exercise SUMMIT from 4th to 10th August. This was the first exercise in which a Sqn took part with tanks, since the conversion to an Armoured Regt. |
6/8/41 |
Tpr North FV, tried by FGCM for offence under AA 41. Finding Not-Guilty and acquitted. |
8/8/41 |
2Lt RS Hutton and 2Lt JD Dunlop posted to 52 Training Regt RAC. |
11/8/41 |
Lt RH Bowering RA, attached to B Sqn pending transfer to RAC. |
16/8/41 |
Major the Lord ONeill assumed command during the absence of the CO on leave and on duty. |
19/8/41 |
Capt KGP Pomeroy transferred from A to HQ Sqn.
Capt CA Crofton transferred from HQ to B Sqn.
Capt Ketchell transferred from C to take command of A Sqn. |
22/8/41 |
Capt J Rew promoted to Major wef 27/7/41.
Capt GP Russell posted from 103 OCTU and takes over appointment as Adjt.
Capt Pomeroy promoted Major wef 28/7/41.
Capt P Welch transferred from B to C Sqn.
2Lt GS Corry posted to 54th Trng Regt RAC. |
24/8/41 |
Eight further I tanks Mk III arrived. Total number now 32. |
26/8/41 |
Regt visited by Hon. Colonel of NIH, the Earl of Shaftesbury.
Capt AEW Gaston transferred from HQ to A Sqn.
CO resumes command on return from leave & duty. |
27/8/41 |
Major J Rew takes over command of B Sqn. |
September 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Sep 41 |
North Irish Horse |
1/9/41 |
Ballykinlar
A composite Sqn commanded by Capt WH Ketchell took part in exercise GREENLAND from 1st to 6th Sep.
2Lt JG Stratton promoted acting Capt wef 1/9/41. |
9/9/41 |
TEWT for officers at rivers Quoile and Annacloy on recce and river crossing for tanks. |
18/9/41 |
Composite Sqn commanded by Major JA Coey took part in exercise organised by 148th Independent Bde Group. |
21/9/41 |
Four more tanks received total now 36. |
27/9/41 |
Major the Lord ONeill assumed command during absence of CO on duty. |
October 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Oct 41 |
North Irish Horse |
4/10/41 |
Ballykinlar
Lt PPP McCraith posted to D&M Wing AFV School, WOOL for duty as an instructor. |
6/10/41 |
Composite Sqn under Capt Ketchell took part in exercise HARVEST from 6th to 9th Oct. |
11/10/41 |
2Lt WR Hern posted to Regt from 103 OCTU. |
22/10/41 |
Move of Regt from Ballykinlar to WESTBURY, Wilts, was completed, less rear party which moved on the 25th. All B vehicles travelled by road to and from the ports concerned. |
28/10/41 |
The Regt was inspected by Major-General Sir Oliver Leese, Bt, CBE DSO, Commanding the Guards Armoured Div. |
November 1941 |
CO: Lt Col JAL Powell |
Nov 41 |
North Irish Horse |
6/11/41 |
Westbury
T/Lt Col Powell relinquishes command on taking over command of 2nd Btn Recce Corps.
T/Lt Col D Dawney assumes command on posing from 2nd Btn Recce Corps. |
8/11/41 |
Capt JE Hewitt RAMC posted to RAMC Crookham. |
10/11/41 |
T/Capt CA Crofton reverts to War Substantive rank of Lt.
2Lt Griffith from HQ to A Sqn.
2Lt Walker from HQ to B Sqn.
2Lt Pope from B to HQ Sqn.
2Lt Batchen from Admin Tp to IC Troop HQ Sqn. |
15/11/41 |
RHQ & HQ Sqn moved from Westbury to Rood Ashton House, Rood Ashton.
B Sqn moved from Upton Scudamore to Westbury. |
21/11/41 |
Regt inspected by Lt-General G LeQ. Martel CB DSO MC MI Mech.E. |
23/11/41 |
Lt MH Waters RAMC posted in as MO. |
25/11/41 |
Regt visited by HM Queen Mary.
2Lt M Brownfield Pope posted in from 202 OCTU. |
28/11/41 |
Major KGP Pomeroy relinquishes command of HQ Sqn and assumes appointment of 2i/c A Sqn. Reverts to W/S rank of Capt.
Capt GP Russell assumes command of HQ Sqn.
Capt JG Stratton assumes appointment of Adjt. |
29/11/41 |
Capt WM Mackean assumes appointment of 2i/c HQ Sqn. |
December 1941 |
CO: Lt Col D Dawney |
Dec 41 |
North Irish Horse |
1/12/41 |
Westbury
Regt came under command of 34 Army Tank Bde Brig JN Tetley TD. |
6/12/41 |
2Lt MP Williams posted in from 102 OCTU.
2Lt RBM King and 2LT AT Moore posted in from 103 OCTU. |
8/12/41 |
T/Capt AEW Gaston attached to HQ 34 Army Tank Bde as Staff Captain.
2Lt JAG Biggs assumed appointment of 2i/c A Sqn. |
12/12/41 |
Regt inspected by the Earl of Shaftesbury. |
15/12/41 |
2Lt CM Thomas transferred from A to HQ Sqn and assumed appointment of Signals Officer. |
18/12/41 |
2Lt T Zissu posted in from 61st Trng Regt and assumed appointment of Assistant Technical Adjt. |
20/12/41 |
2Lt HV Williams and 2Lt EW Clifford posted in from 101 OCTU.
2Lt JJH Pyl and 2Lt T Templeton posted in from 102 OCTU. |
1939 1940 home 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946
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