102 LAA (Light Anti-Aircraft) Regiment, Royal Artillery (336, 337 & 338 Batteries)

WAR DIARY - MAY 1942

1 May 1942

HITCHWOOD – Major General K.J. Martin (M.G.A.) visited the Regiment at Hitchwood Camp North.

4 May 1942

Lts R.P. Thorman & J. Hill posted to 6 Lincolns.
Lt. R. Sergeant posted to 2 Buffs.
Lt. K. Hardy posted to 1/5 Queens.
Lt. U.G. Spratt & 2/Lt. K.J. Jones posted to 1/6 Queens.
2/Lt. G.S.D. King posted to 1/7 Queens.

9 May 1942

Major L.C. Gates, M.B.E. posted to 30 Borders.
Captain H. Ingoldby M.B.E. posted to No. 7 I.T.C.

13 May 1942

Regimental Exercise at HITCHWOOD Camp North. Appendix A.

17 May 1942

Defence Scheme issued. Appendix B.

18 May 1942

Major F.W. Allbones and Advance party to Elsenham.
Battery advance parties to locations shown below.

19 May 1942

Regiment left No. 1 A.A.M.T.C. Hitchwood Camp North.

RHQ to ELSENHAM
336 Bty to SHORTGROVE PARK, near SAFFRON WALDEN in ESSEX.
337 Bty to Albyns.
338 Bty to Much Hadham.

31 May 1942

Defence Scheme issued. Appendix C

During the month, the strength decreased by 10 Officers and 6 Other Ranks to 40 Officers and 892 Other Ranks.

 

WAR DIARY - JUNE 1942

1 – 2 June 1942

Exercise BLITZ takes place at ELSENHAM. Appendix A.

2 June 1942

Amendment No. 1 to Defence Scheme No. 1 issued. Appendix B.

June 12 1942

Lt. J.M.F. Chapman posted to this Regiment.

June 30 1942

During the month, the strength of Officers increased by 1 and Other Ranks decreased by 9 to -
42 Officers and 883 Other Ranks.

 

WAR DIARY - JULY 1942

1 – 4 July 1942

Exercise BURY takes place at ELSENHAM with II Corps.

4 July 1942

Defence Scheme No. 2 (No. 1 cancelled).

8 July 1942

Defence Scheme No 2 (No 1 Cancelled) Appendix A

13 – 19 July 1942

Exercise LIMPET takes place at ELSENHAM with II Corps.

16 July 1942

Gunner George Henry Staniforth dies. Cause not known

27 July 1942

Amendment No. 1 to Defence Scheme No. 2. Appendix B
336 Battery operationally deployed at CHELMSFORD. Claim 2 hits on a Dornier 217. The claim is officially confirmed.

29 July 1942

The Regiment is sent to 16 Light & Heavy AA Practice camp at CLACTON-ON-SEA for firing.

31 July 1942

Strength –
Officers 42
Other Ranks – 863.

 

WAR DIARY - AUGUST 1942

11 August 1942

Regiment returns to ELSENHAM from 16 LAA Practice camp. CLACTON-ON-SEA.

23 August 1942

338 Battery is operationally deployed for defence of IPSWICH, CHELMSFORD & COLCHESTER. (Appendix A)

25 August 1942

Lt. Col. W.E. Tolley, MC, relinquishes command and is transferred to take command of 9th Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment.

30 August 1942

338 Bty returned from operational deployment.
(Appendix B )

31 August 1942

Strength –
Officers 42
Other Ranks – 863.

 

WAR DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1942

7 September 1942

(23693) Lt. Col Nigel Grammar Thompson R.A., posted to take command of the Regiment.

15 September 1942

Exercise BULL. Operation Order attached. Appendix A.
2/Lt. H.G. James (207989) posted to 138 LAA Regt, RA.

(336 & 337 Batteries take part. 336 Bty under command 135 Brigade/45 Division.11 Corps & 337 Bty under command 223 Brigade/56 Division/11 Corps).

16 September 1942

2/Lt. O.P.G. Macnamara (194482) posted to 138 LAA Regt, RA.

17 September 1942

Gunner E.A. Algar dies. Cause not known.

23 September 1942

Operational deployment. CHELMSFORD, COLCHESTER & IPSWICH.
Operational Order attached. Appendix B.

30 September 1942

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.
Officers – 39
Other Ranks – 861

 

WAR DIARY - OCTOBER 1942

4 October 1942

ELSENHAM

Major D. McInnes-Shaw posted to 122 LAA Regt.

5 October 1942

Major C.N. Adderley posted to this Regiment and command of 338 Battery.

6 October 1942

Lt. E.R. Westley & Lt. C.N. Buswell posted to Commandos with effect from 23.9.42.

8 October 1942

2/Lt. E. Buckley, 2/Lt. J.C. Lister & 2/Lt. L. Saitch posted to this Regt. Joined 15.10.42.

21 October 1942

The Regiment is sent to 16 LAA Practice camp at CLACTON-ON-SEA for firing practice.

31 October 1942

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.
Officers – 40
Other Ranks – 850

 

WAR DIARY - NOVEMBER 1942

4 November 1942

Regiment returns from practice camp and is deployed in A.D.G.B. (Air Defence of Great Britain) as follows:-

336 Bty - DARSHAM in Suffolk.
337 Bty – CANEWDON.
338 Bty – SOUTHWOLD.

9 November 1942

Redeployment of troops in A.D.G.B. As follows:-

336 Bty – CASTLE CAMPS Aerodrome. (527 Squadron).
337 Bty – HUNSDON Aerodrome.
338 Bty – DEBDEN Aerodrome.

10 November 1942

Major D.D. Lovell posted to Regiment.

12 November 1942

2/Lts. M.A. Harris & B.K. Lawrence posted to Regiment.

13 November 1942

Operational deployment to SUDBOURNE. Operational Order attached.

14 November 1942

Major W.R.C. Higgins, RA, posted to A.A. Mobile & T.T. Centre.

19 November 1942

Operational deployment defence of A.D.G.B.

336 Bty – IPSWICH.
337 Bty – CHELMSFORD.
338 Bty – COLCHESTER.

21 November 1942

Major F.W. Allbones, MBE, RA, posted to Depot, RA.

23 November 1942

The Regiment is recalled to ELSENHAM from IPSWICH, CHELMSFORD & COLCHESTER.

31 November 1942

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.
Officers – 40
Other Ranks – 840

 

WAR DIARY - DECEMBER 1942

4 December 1942

Major W.M. Wilkinson posted and joined Regiment as 2nd in Command.

5 December 1942

2/Lt. R.W. Hancox posted and reported for duty.

10 December 1942

2/Lts. I.C.L. Evans, C.H.L. Farmer, S.A. Parker and Lt. J.A. Whitehouse posted and joined for duty.

28 December 1942

C Troop, 336 Battery is deployed operationally at SANDRINGHAM.

29 December 1942

Major W.M. Wilkinson, RA, assumes command of Regiment during the absence on leave of Lt. Col. N.G. Thompson, RA.

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.
Officers – 46
Other Ranks – 833

 

WAR DIARY - JANUARY 1943

7 January 1943

Lt. Col. N.G. Thompson, RA, reassumes command on return from leave.

9 January 1943

The Regiment, less C Troop, 336 Battery deployed operationally as follows:-

RHQ – HYTHE.
336 Bty – RYE (plus one troop from 80 LAA Battery).
337 Bty – HYTHE
338 Bty – FOLKESTONE.

15 January 1943

336 Battery claim 1 Focke-Wulfe 190 destroyed (Category I) and 1 Focke-Wulfe 190 damaged (Category III).
Lt. (QM) R.T. Leach returns to ELSENHAM to arrange handover of previous accommodation.

16 January 1943

Above claims confirmed.

25 January 1943

Lt. (QM) R.T. Leach and advance party move to CLACTON.

31 January 1943

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.
Officers – 48
Other Ranks – 857

 

WAR DIARY - FEBRUARY 1943

9 February 1943

Operational deployment ceased FOLKESTONE, RYE AND HYTHE. HANDED OVER TO 119 LAA Regiment.

9/10 February 1943

Night move to CLACTON-ON-SEA.

10 February 1943

Established in new locations at CLACTON-ON-SEA.

22 February 1943

Lt. R.W. Hancox posted to 1 HAA Regt, RA.

28 February 1943

The regiment moves to a new concentration area for Operation SPARTAN at WOBURN PARK.

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.
Officers – 50
Other Ranks – 866

 

WAR DIARY - MARCH 1943

3 March 1943

2nd Lieutenant's I.C.L. Evans & C.H. Farmer posted to Royal Artillery Depot for service overseas.

12 March 1943

Cease fire for Operation SPARTAN.

13 March 1943

The Regiment dispersed from WOBURN PARK and return to CLACTON-ON-SEA.

19 March 1943

2nd Lieutenant's. J.B. Grainger, R. Hill & P.G.T. Manners posted and joined for duty on first commissioning (Surplus to establishment).

21 March 1943

Night move to operational sites under South-East Command.

RHQ – BROADSTAIRS.
336 Bty - BROADSTAIRS & RAMSGATE.
337 Bty – CHISLET COLLIERY & SANDWICH.
3387 Bty – BETTESHANGER COLLIERY & DEAL.

30 March 1943

Lieutenant. S. Langdon, R.E.M.E., posted from 23 AA Wksp REME.

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.
Officers – 48
Other Ranks – 859

 

WAR DIARY - APRIL 1943

13 April 1943

Lt. H.O. Spence posted from Depot.

14 April 1943

A Troop, 337 Battery relieved from operational duty at MINSTER by troop 58 LAA Regt, RA, and proceeded to CLACTON-ON-SEA.

19 April 1943

A Troop, 337 Battery proceeded to SANDRINGHAM from CLACTON for operational duty.

24 April 1943

Advance parties proceeded from CLACTON-ON-SEA.to STEWARTON by road (Lt. (QM) Leach & 10 Other Ranks) and rail (Lt, Jenkins and 30 Other Ranks).
2/Lt. M.A. Harris reported from Depot ex Y List.

26 April 1943

Adjutant proceeded to STEWARTON by rail. Regiment departed BROADSTAIRS area on relief by 58 LAA Regiment and proceeded by road to STEWARTON, near KILMARNOCK. Staged overnight stay (26/27 April) at STEVENAGE.

Major W.M. Wilkinson assumed command of the Regt during the temporary absence of the CO.

27 April 1943

Regiment staged at DONCASTER night of 27/28 April.

28 April 1943

Orders were received to vacate STEWARTON and occupy POLKEMMET Camp West at WHITBURN.

 

WAR DIARY - MAY 1943

7 May 1943

A Troop, 337 Battery rejoined the Regt from deployment at SANDRINGHAM.

10 May 1943

2nd Lieutenant S.A. Parker posted to 97 LAA Regt at Birchington.

19 May 1943

Lieutenant H.O. Spence posted to 97 LAA Regt at Birchington.

24 May 1943

Regiment moved to CLACTON by road for firing practice at 16 L. & H.P. & T. camp (Butlins).

Staged CARLISLE (night of 24/25 May)
Staged DONCASTER (night of 25/26 May).

26 May 1943

Arrived Holland Camp, CLACTON-ON-SEA.

31 May 1943

2nd Lieutenant's Hood, Martin & Munro posted to Depot, Royal Artillery for service overseas.

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.

Officers – 45
Other Ranks – 827
Attached
Officers – 2
Other Ranks – 43

 

WAR DIARY - JUNE 1943

7 June 1943

Completion of practice at 16 Light & Heavy AA Training & Practice Camp.

8 June 1943

Regiment returns by road to POLKEMMET Camp at WHITBURN. Staged overnight at DONCASTER (8/9 June)

9 June 1943

Staged overnight at CARLISLE (9/10 June).

10 June 1943

Arrive at POLKEMETT Camp West.
2/Lts. Hood, Martin & Munro posted to Depot, RA, for service overseas.

11 June 1943

Mobilisation Orders received.
2/Lts. Hill, Grainger, Johnstone & Lambert posted to 206 LAA (Mob) Training Regt, RA, ABORFIELD.
Lt. Langford, REME posted to 24 AA Workshops.
Lt. Jackson, REME posted to 102 LAA Regt, Workshop.

25 June 1943

Lt. P.G. Whysall posted to 121 LAA Regt, HULL.

28 June 1943

Brigadier Earles, CCRA, 1 Corps visited the Regt.

30 June 1943

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.
Officers – 40
Other Ranks – 861

 

WAR DIARY - JULY 1943

7 July 1943

WHITBURN

Lt. (QM) Goodliffe posted and joined the Regt from 18 LAA practice camp.

8 July 1943

Lt. (QM) Leach posted to No. 5 I.T.C. Wrexham.

11 July 1943

Lt. P.A. Connolly posted and joined the Regt from 87 LAA Regt.
Lt. A. Sievwright posted and joined the Regt from 130 LAA Regt.
Lt. G.V. Mortimer posted and joined the Regt from 130 LAA Regt.

18 July 1943

Captain H.R.A. Hunt posted to 93 LAA Regt.

19 July 1943

Advance parties by road to 93 LAA Regt at BROADSTAIRS, RAMSGATE & DUNKIRK.

21 July 1943

Major W.M. Wilkinson to course at Senior Officers school, OXFORD.
Adjutant Captain M.R. Hoare, Lt. Barrett by rail to 93 LAA Regt.

22 July 1943

Main body of Regt left POLKEMMET Camp West for deployment to SOUTH-EAST command.

Staged overnight at CARLISLE 22/23 July.

23 July 1943

Staged overnight at DONCASTER 23/24 July.

24 July 1943

Staged overnight in STEVENAGE 24/25 July.

25 July 1943

Regt in harbour in CANTERBURY area night 25/26 July.

26 July 1943

Operational commitments taken over from 93 LAA Regiment at BROADSTAIRS, MARGATE, RAMSGATE, MANSTON, CHISLET & DUNKIRK.

31 July 1943

Strength of Officers & Other Ranks.
Officers – 40
Other Ranks – 788

 

WAR DIARY - AUGUST 1943

7 August 1943

Major C.M. Adderley, RA assumes command in the absence of Lt. Col N.G. Thompson, RA, on leave.

11 August 1943

Lt. B.M. McNeil-Smith (85546) posted from Depot.

13 August 1943

B Troop relieved at VP.602 at MANSTON by RAF Regiment and deployed to ALG WOODCHURCH.

17 August 1943

Lt. Col. N.G. Thompson re-assumed command of the Regt on return from leave.

19 August 1943

Regiment relieved by 109 LAA Regiment and re-deployed for Exercise HARLEQUIN.
Regt HQ – WOODLANDS, ADISHAM
336 Bty – BARHAM
338 Bty – EYTHORNE

under operational command of 77 AA Brigade.

337 Bty – OAKWOOD, MAIDSTONE

under operational command of 28 AA Brigade.

23 August 1943

No. 1561 LAA Platoon, RASC attached to the Regt.

28 August 1943

Lt. Col. N.G. Thompson attended 1 Corps conference at EDINBURGH.
Major C.M. Adderley asume command in his absence.

31 August 1943

Lt. Col. N.G. Thompson returns from 1 Corps conference and re-assumed command of the Regt.

Strength.
Officers – 43
Other Ranks – 821

 

WAR DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1943

3 September 1943

Lt. S.E.J. Wilson posted surplus to establishment from 133 O.C.T.U.

18 September 1943

Deployment in SE Command ceased. Regiment moved by road to normal location (POLKEMMETT Camp West).
Staged overnight at STEVENAGE (18/19 September).

19 September 1943

Regt staged night 19/20 Sept, DONCASTER.

20 September 1943

Regt staged night 20/21 Sept CARLISLE.

21 September 1943

Regiment less RHQ returned to POLKEMMETT Camp West.

22 September 1943

Lt. S.E.J. Wilson posted to 133 LAA Regt.

23 September 1943

Regt HQ engaged in 1 Corps exercise QUEBEC.

26 September 1943

Exercise QUEBEC concluded.

Strength.
Officers – 43
Other Ranks – 825

 

WAR DIARY - OCTOBER 1943

11 October

CCRA 1 Corps, Brigadier L.C. Manners Smith visited the Regt.

16 October 1942

Commander Lothian & Border district visited the Regt.

21 October 1943

Captain (The Reverend) E.D. Hutchings, CF, posted for service in West Africa.

22 October 1943

Commanding Officer proceeded on leave. Major W.M. Wilkinson, RA assumed command on absence of CO.

27 October 1943

Army Personnel Selection staff arrive to test unit.

31 October 1943

Commanding Officer returned from leave and re-assumes command.

Strength.

Officers – 40
Other Ranks – 786

 

WAR DIARY - NOVEMBER 1943

POLKEMETT

1 November 1943

Captain M.R. Hoare assumes and Captain A.C. Thorp relinquishes appointment of Adjutant.

5 November 1943

Captain E.E. Jourdain (R.A.C.D.) joined on posting to this unit.

7 November 1943

Personnel selection staff departed.

9 November 1943

The Regiment less one Battery proceeds on Operation BLAST III.

11 November 1943

Lt. J.R. Clarkson posted and joined unit.

12 November 1943

The Regiment returns from Operation BLAST III.
Lt. A.J. Bennett left unit on posting to Infantry

13 November 1943

The Regiment proceeds to 14 LAA Practice Camp at NETHERTOWN, CUMBERLAND.

19 November 1943

C.C.R.A. 1 Corps (Brigadier L.C. Manners Smith) visited the Regiment while at practice camp.

21 November 1943

C.C.R.A. 1 Corps terminated visit.

25 November 1943

The Regiment returns from 14 LAA Practice Camp.

26 November 1943

2/Lt's. H. Cameron & B. Furphy posted and joined unit ex O.C.T.U.

30 November 1943

Lt. H.R. Land posted and joined unit ex- 220 Training Regiment.

Strength
Officers – 46
Other Ranks - 861

 

WAR DIARY – DECEMBER 1943

1 December 1943

Advance party to CTC INVERARY (2 Officers & 11 Other Ranks).

C.C.R.A. 1 Corps (Brigadier L.C. Manners Smith) visited unit.

4 December 1943

Lt. Best joined unit on posting ex 88 LAA Regt.

6 December 1943

Lt. G.R. Lees & 2/Lt. L.F. Dixon joined unit on posting ex 88 LAA Regt.

7 December 1943

Lt. J.G. Blair & 2/Lt. R.A. White joined unit on posting ex 85 LAA Regt.

8 December 1943

Advance party leaves for units new location at HARTLEY WINTNEY, near BASINGSTOKE.

10 December 1943

Advance party 1st Motorised Arty Regt, Polish Army arrives.

13 December 1943

Main body departs on move to new location at HARTLEY WINTNEY, HAMPSHIRE. Staging posts at CARLISLE, DONCASTER & STEVENAGE.

16 December 1943

Main body and rear party arrive at new location.

20 December 1943

C.C.R.A. 1 Corps (Brigadier L.C. Manners Smith) visited unit.

21 December 1943

Lt. D. Saitch leaves unit on posting to 21 Group, Pioneer Corps.

23 December 1943

Lt. A.C. Christie, REME joined init on posting from 21 AA Wksp Coy, REME

27 December 1943

Lt. (QM) L.S. Bland joined unit on posting from Depot.
Major W.M. Wilkinson assumes command of the Regt with effect from 16-00 hrs during absence on leave of Lt. Col. N.G. Thompson, RA.

Strength

Officers – 49
Other Ranks - 858