War Diary copy request from a veteran - 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment

A request from a veteran

As every one knows most of us old gits won't be around for much longer so before I shuffle off this mortal coil I would dearly like to get hold of our regimental diaries
To leave to my grandchildren as telling them how things happened during the war is a definite no and not being computer literate I have no idea how to start going about getting the diaries as I can no longer walk more than about thirty yards so would have to rely on the good nature of some kind person to help me out obviously I would pay
For all travelling expenses and the purchasing of the documents they would probably run from 1942 to 1946 the regiment I am referring to the 1st Battalion Princess Louise
Kensington regt it was a support battalion for the78th battleaxe division

Kind regards niccar

I posted this pathetic note in the wrong place in the request for information on the 7th Somerset Light Infanttry WD 44 so apologies if I have caused any inconvenience to anyone

niccar

 

I think these all the relevant diaries:

WO 166/4350 INFANTRY: 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment. 1939 Sept.- 1940 Mar., July - 1941 Dec.
WO 166/12586 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1943 Jan.-Mar.
WO 166/8735 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1942 Jan.- Dec.
WO 169/10237 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1943 July- Dec.
WO 170/1407 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1944 Jan.- Apr.
WO 170/1408 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1944 May - June
WO 170/1409 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1944 July - Aug.
WO 170/1410 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1944 Sept.- Dec.
WO 170/8008 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1946 Jan.- June
WO 170/5024 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1945 Jan.- Apr.
WO 170/5025 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1945 May - Dec.
WO 175/507 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1943 Apr.- June

I certainly don't mind making a start on copying these for free.

Any one else want to lend a hand?

That'll be digital photos, will you need hard paper copies made?

Lee

 

Psywar.org
Any costs involved in this project - please pass them on to me for settlement - the least I can do for a fellow D Day Dodger.....

Niccar - sorry to hear that you can't walk too far - I can beat you by about 50 yards - then it's sit down time - something to do with age..
Cheers

 

My appreciation to Von poop PsyWar.Org and of course Tom Canning for their instant response to my request, my gratitude knows no bounds though this forum
Is renowned for its willingness to help anyone with any enquiries PsyWar am not quite sure of the difference between the copies you mention so any that is the best for your efforts will suit me fine and as stated will pay any expense if not will make a donation to both the RBL and SSAFA.Tom when asked why I can’t walk very far I usually reply I’ve got everything you don’t die with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary decease ) 40 years salmon and trout ( gout ) sufferer and a slightly leaking heart valve apart from that I’m fine my son in law was speaking about me to a chap that was in the RBL and two men came round read my discharge papers and within 4 weeks an electric scooter was delivered to my house with the compliments of the two afore mentioned institutions so to show my appreciation I said to my wife at 85yearsof age I will join the legion and make regular donations she looked at me and said I think you will find your too old to get into the foreign legion she is a very intelligent lady I just looked at her with amazement visions of Beau Geste spring to mind with a cap and the sun flap hanging down the back of your neck. enough of me waffling on so many thanks again for all the efforts on my behalf

Kind regards Niccar

 

Happy to help out Niccar. A very kind offer as well Tom but there won't be an expenses from my end.

I can get the documents photographed and the images saved onto a CD-ROM. This can be viewed directly on a computer screen.

They can also be printed out on to paper. A local copy shop might be the best place to sort that out if needed.

I won't be back to the archives for three weeks now though.

Lee

 

Niccar -
Join the COPD club - the reason that I can walk further is that I went to a clinic and they taught me how to deep breathe and exercise - the gout hit my two wrists and so I can't pick up anything heavier than a ten dollar bill -

on my daughter's last visit she claimed that I needed a new car- "rubbish" I said as this one is only four years old - then she said " I have no wish to inherit an old car ...!"
So now I have a new Dodge Sebring with all the bells and whistles......she is coming out again at Christmas and I wonder what she will dream up this time .....as I am thinking of a new Computer - this one is six years old !
Take care and watch the speed limit on that thing
Cheers

 

Not sure how I missed this - Obviously They'll be a delay with me getting there but when I'm running at full steam I'll copy any that are missing. I'll do the whole files too complete with officer returns and monthly standing orders etc. As Lee has said - No money required.

It may also be worth considering seeing all the Battalions medal citations - They often had a good bit of detail to Battalion diaries.

Cheers
Andy

 

I will be at the archives in January please let me know any outstanding files to photograph

Steven

 

I haven't had a chance to start these yet but will be at Kew this Thursday. Will make a start then.

As there's a lot of diaries, assistance from others is greatly appreciated. I'll keep you'll posted in what I have completed. (The complete diary will be copied excluding any folded up documents that are double bound and can't be unfolded without removing the binding cord).


Lee

 

Only had a chance to copy one diary today unfortunately but on the plus side it was a big 'en!

- WO 166/4350 INFANTRY: 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment. 1939 Sept.- 1940 Mar., July - 1941 Dec. COPIED by PsyWar.Org
- WO 166/12586 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1943 Jan.-Mar.
- WO 166/8735 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1942 Jan.- Dec.
- WO 169/10237 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1943 July- Dec.
- WO 170/1407 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1944 Jan.- Apr.
- WO 170/1408 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1944 May - June
- WO 170/1409 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1944 July - Aug.
- WO 170/1410 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1944 Sept.- Dec.
- WO 170/8008 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1946 Jan.- June
- WO 170/5024 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1945 Jan.- Apr.
- WO 170/5025 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1945 May - Dec.
- WO 175/507 1 Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment 1943 Apr.- June

 

Many thanks for your efforts so far Lee It seems I have requested a gigantic task so it is nice to see that both Andy and Steven are willing to assist I thiink the diary you have copied covers the battalion when they were a support battaloin attached to the 51st highland division and most of them were taken prisoner it will be fascinating to read the official account by myself that joined the battalion when it was reformed in England again Lee thank you

kind reagards Niccar

 

Hi Niccar,

Just checked my BEF files and there maybe an error at Kew. The BEF files list the 13 London (Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment) as being in France between April and June 1940 but Ellis lists them as the 1st London (Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment).

Anyway the file is WO 167/759 if anyone can confirm this at Kew. I will copy it at some point as I will want it for my own collection.

The WO 166 files are for Home Forces ie units that were in the UK before deploying overseas.

Regards
Andy

 

Many thanks for your efforts so far Lee It seems I have requested a gigantic task so it is nice to see that both Andy and Steven are willing to assist I thiink the diary you have copied covers the battalion when they were a support battaloin attached to the 51st highland division and most of them were taken prisoner it will be fascinating to read the official account by myself that joined the battalion when it was reformed in England again Lee thank you

kind reagards Niccar

No problem Niccar, it's a pleasure to help. What seems like a good idea for now, is to upload the first diary to a Photobucket account so you can start reading it right away. The main drawback with Photobucket is that the resolution of the images are reduced so some of the handwritten entries might be a little difficult to decipher.

Later when more have been done, I'm happy to copy them onto a DVD and post those to you.

I'll post the link here when the diary is uploaded.

Drew I'm happy to check file WO 167/759 to see exactly what it contains but I won't be back to Kew until the new year now. Hopefully by which time you're be fully recovered and back their yourself buried deep in BEF diaries and memory sticks!

Lee

 

Lee,

I live in hope but I'm currently banned from putting weight on my left foot until Feb at the earliest and another 3 months after that before I can walk according to the quacks. So it pains me to say I may not get to Kew again until May/June.

It would be interesting if you or someone else could just check and see if the file is the 1st or 13th Battalion. I do suspect after a small amount of digging Kew has made a mistake in listing it as the 13th.

Regards
Andy

 

I've just checked Alan Philson's 'excellent' BEF Order of Battle books and it is the 1st Battalion according to Vol.5. Kew have made a mistake.

Cheers
Andy

 

Niccar, here's the link to the album for the first diary:
Login to a private Photobucket.com album

Password to view: Kensington

Andy, that's rough, I know you must be pulling your hair out. On the bright side, it gives you a chance to read through all those diaries already copied. Speedy recovery and hope to see you at Kew when you're well again.

Lee

 

Can you let me know if you have this one Niccar:

WO 167/759 1 London (Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment) 1940 Apr.-June

If not I'll copy it next month for you.

Regards
Andy

 

Andy and all: Anything I can do to help with photocopying, etc, please ask. Be a privilege to do something for Niccar.

Geoff

 

hi Andy
I dont have that particular file 167/759 in fact I have only viewed one on photobucket that Lee (Psy/War)did for me so along with yourself and Golf Bravo and so many others I can only say I am deeply grateful for all your efforts

kind regards niccar