War Diary - 14 Company RASC

Good evening,

I thought I would start to upload the War Diary for 14 Company RASC which I have been researching for the past year or so. I will type the diary entries by month/year piecemeal, so please do be patient. If anyone has further information relating to relatives who served in the Company during WW2, I would be very interested to hear from them.

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
3 Sep 39: War Declared. Unit placed under Active Service conditions. Normal station duties carried out.
4 Sep 39: 1 Officer, 6 ORs and 3 vehicles proceed to 17 Company RASC in Haifa. Norma station duties carried out be remainder of the unit.
5 - 14 Sep 39: Normal station duties carried out.
15 Sep 39: Normal station duties carried out. Unit inspected by G.O.G. in C.
16 Sep 39: Normal station duties carried out. All personnel on leave in the U.K. RETURNED. 1 vehicle and 4 ORs returned from 17 Company RASC in Haifa.
17 - 18 Sep 39: Normal station duties carried out.
19 Sep 39: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Officer, 1 OR and 2 vehicles returned from 17 Company RASC in Haifa.
20 Sep 39: Normal station duties carried out. 14 vehicles proceeded on operations with 2nd Batt H.L.I. and returned the same day.
21 - 30 Sep 39: Normal station duties carried out.

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 Oct 39: Normal station duties carried out.
2 Oct 39: Normal station duties carried out. (Unit commenced firing Annual Weapon Training Course).
3 - 13 Oct 39: Normal station duties carried out.
14 Oct 39: Normal station duties carried out. (Completed Annual Weapon Training Course).
15 - 20 Oct 39: Normal station duties carried out.
21 Oct 39: Normal station duties carried out. Jerjos Tannos, Mardiros Chcian, Kerork Hagopian, Avedis Aksorian and Hanna Kafafian were attested. Mardiros Chcian, Kerork Hagopian, Avedis Aksorian and Hanna Kafafian were rejected.
22 - 23 Oct 39: Normal station duties carried out.
24 Oct 39: Normal station duties carried out. Pte Kazandgian attested as a Painter.
28 - 31 Oct 39: Normal station duties carried out.

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 - 28 Nov 39: Normal station duties carried out.
29 Nov 39: Normal station duties carried out. (2 Officers, 30 ORs embarked for U.K.).
30 Nov 39: Normal station duties carried out. (25 Drivers, majority untrained arrived from the U.K.).

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 - 3 Dec 39: Normal station duties carried out.
4 Dec 39: Normal station duties carried out. 25 untrained Drivers commenced weapon training, Drill and Technical Training.
5 - 8 Dec 39: Normal station duties carried out, and recruits training carried out.
9 Dec 39: Normal station duties carried out. 10 Recruits passed Class III Driving Test. 1 x 30 cwt vehicle accompanied by Staff car (68 Company) proceeded to Tripoli on a secret mission.
10 Dec 39: Normal station duties and recruits training carried out. 1 x 30 cwt vehicle accompanied by Staff car returned from Tripoli.
11 - 20 Dec 39: Normal station duties and recruits training carried out.

No further entries for December 1939.

 

New
Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 10 Recruit drivers passed Trade Test for i/c Class III.
2 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 10 Drivers of Palestinian Cadre joined unit from R.A.S.C. Driving School and Depot.
3 - 5 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
6 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 2Lt Workman and Cpl Hammond proceeded to Bir Salim on a Small Arms Cadre.
7 - 8 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
9 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 8 Drivers and 2 Clerks of Palestinian Cadre joined unit from R.A.S.C. Driving School and Depot.
10 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 4 Sergeants A.I.F. joined unit for course in R.A.S.C. Duties.
11 - 15 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
16 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 2 Sergeants A.I.F. joined unit for course in R.A.S.C. Duties.
17 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 W.O. & 7 N.C.Os. & 30 Med embarked for United Kingdom.
18 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 2 Palestinian Artificers joined unit from Driving School.
19 - 23 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
24 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 41 Other Ranks, partly trained, arrived from U.K.
25 - 31 Jan 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 Feb 40: Normal station duties carried out, and recruits training.
2 Feb 40: Normal station duties carried out, and recruits training. 4 Palestinian Recruits joined unit.
3 Feb 40: Normal station duties and Recruit's training carried out. 1 Palestinian posted to Haifa. 1 Officer, 1 Sergt. finished course at Small Arms School, Bir Salim.
4 Feb 40: Normal station duties and Recruit's training carried out.
5 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Sergt. and 1 LCorpl. commenced course at Bir Salim.
6 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 4 Palestinian Recruits joined unit. 1 Private posted to 68 Company.
7 - 8 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
9 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Sergt. posted to G.H.Q. Middle East.
10 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 S/Sgt.posted to F.H.Q. Jerusalem. 1 Private commenced Clerks course at Jerusalem.
11 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
12 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Sergt. posted to G.H.Q. Middle East, Cairo. 1 Private joined Unit from Haifa.
13 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Sergt. posted to unit.
14 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 C.Q.M.S. posted to R.A.S.C. Training Centre, Moascar. 1 Private posted to R.A.S.C. Training Centre, Moascar. 2 Palestinian N.C.O.s joined unit.
15 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 2 Palestinians posted to Jerusalem.
16 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Corpl posted to Cavalry Mobile Vet: Section, Rehovoth.
17 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
18 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. One S.S.M. posted to Cyprus.
19 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 13 Recruits fired a course in light machine gun and qualified.
20 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Corpl posted to Jerusalem and one Corpl posted to this unit.
21 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Sergt. and 1 Corpl. returned from Small Arms Course.
22 - 23 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
24 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 13 Recruits passed recruit training (Drill).
25 - 26 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
27 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Sergt. promoted to A/C.Q.M.S. 2 Palestinian Drivers discharged.
28 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Sergt. promoted to A/C.Q.M.S. 1 Corpl promoted to A/Sergt. 1 L/Cpl promoted to A/Cpl. 1 Driver promoted to A/L/Cpl.
29 Feb 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 - 8 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
9 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 2 Palestinians posted to A.M.P.C.
10 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
11 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Palestinian posted to unit. 1 Palestinian posted to 17 Company, Haifa.
12 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 12 Palestinians posted to unit.
13 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Palestinian Corpl. promoted. 1 Palestinian Sergeant posted to 61 Company.
14 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 2 Palestinians posted to Driving School.
15 - 25 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
26 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1 Private (Clerk) joined the unit. 26 Recruits passed off Regimental Training.
27 - 29 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
30 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 16 Palestinians joined unit.
31 Mar 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. One Driver posted to unit.
2 - 6 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
7 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. Four Palestinians posted to unit.
8 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1st Junior N.C.Os. Training Refresher Course started.
9 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 24 Privates posted to unit.
10 - 12 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
13 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 1st Junior N.C.Os Refresher Course finished.
14 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
15 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 2nd Junior N.C.Os Refresher Course started.
16 - 17 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
18 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 2 Palestinians posted to unit.
19 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
20 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. 2nd Junior N.C.Os Training Refresher Course finished.
21 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
22 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. One Palestinian posted to unit. Medical grading started. Individual Training commenced.
23 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. One Palestinian discharged. One Private posted to unit. One Private posted to Haifa.
24 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. Three Sergeants posted to unit. 3 Corporals posted to unit. Ten Drivers posted to unit.
25 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.
26 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. Three Privates posted to unit. Two Privates posted to Egypt. One Private posted to Haifa.
27 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out. One Sergeant (Clerk) posted to unit.
28 - 30 Apr 40: Normal station duties and recruit's training carried out.

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. (Recruits training finished).
2 May 40: Normal station duties carried out.
3 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Corpl. 6 Drivers and 3 Lorries to Egypt.
4 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Corpl. posted to Haifa. 1 Corpl. posted to this unit.
5 - 8 May 40: Normal station duties carried out.
9 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Corpl. 6 Drivers and three lorries from Egypt. (see two attachments - Corpl's convoy report).
10 May 40: Normal station duties carried out.
11 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Corporal reduced to the ranks.
12 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Sergt. and 5 Drivers reported to P.R.T.D. for Training Course.
13 - 15 May 40: Normal station duties carried out.
16 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. One S.Q.M.S. posted to Egypt.
17 - 20 May 40: Normal station duties carried out.
21 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Corpl and one L/Cpl posted to Egypt. One Private posted to Haifa.
22 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. 3 Privates (Clerks) posted to Haifa.
23 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Private (Issuer) joined station. Individual training finished owing to Internal Situation.
24 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Sergeant and five Drivers finished course at P.R.T.D.
25 May 40: Normal station duties carried out.
26 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. Two Sergeants and five Drivers commenced course at P.R.T.D.
27 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. One L/Cpl reduced to the ranks. One L/Cpl and 2 Drivers commenced swimming (Life Saving) course at Gaza. One Private (Clerk) posted to Jerusalem.
28 - 30 May 40: Normal station duties carried out.
31 May 40: Normal station duties carried out. 2/Lt Wiener returned from P.R.T.D.

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Corporal posted to unit.
2 - 3 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out.
4 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. One L/Cpl and two Drivers returned from swimming course.
5 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out.
6 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. Three Drivers attached to 6 Div. Four Drivers attached to C.M.P. on probation for transfer.
7 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out.
8 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. Two Sergeants and 7 Drivers returned from course at P.R.T.D.
9 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out.
10 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. Individual Training commenced.
11 - 16 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out.
17 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. N.C.O's Refresher Course commenced.
18 - 21 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out.
22 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. Individual Training finished.
23 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Officer returned from Middle East Training Centre.
24 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. Individual Training commenced.
25 - 27 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out.
28 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Corpl proceeded on course to M.E. Trg School Moascar. 3 Drivers posted to O.C.R.A.S.C. Cairo.
29 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out.
30 Jun 40: Normal station duties carried out. 3 N.C.Os to P.R.T.D. N.C.Os Cadre Course.

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. Individual Training finished.
2 - 5 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out.
6 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Driver proceeded on unqualified Cooks Course.
7 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out.
8 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. Ten Drivers posted to Egypt.
9 - 11 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out.
12 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. Three N.C.Os returned from course at P.R.T.D.
13 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. One M.Q.M.S. joined unit. One Driver re-mustered as clerk and posted to Egypt.
14 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. Three N.C.Os proceeded on course to P.R.T.D.
15 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. Three Drivers posted to Egypt.
16 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. One M.S.M. joined unit.
17 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out.
18 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 L/Sgt posted to Egypt. Company Training commenced.
19 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. Company training completed.
20 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Corporal joined unit.
21 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out.
22 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. 2 Drivers posted to Egypt. Section training commenced.
23 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. 3 Drivers re-mustered and posted to Haifa.
24 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out.
25 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Dvr posted to 61 Coy R.A.S.C.
26 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out.
27 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 N.C.O. returned from course Middle East. 3 N.C.Os on course at P.R.T.D. 1 Dvr on course at Middle East School of Cookery. Section training completed.
28 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. 3 N.C.Os proceeded on course at P.R.T.D. 1 Dvr proceeded on course Middle East School of Cookery.
29 - 30 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out.
31 Jul 40: Normal station duties carried out. 2 Sergts and 4 Corporals ordered to stand by on 24 hrs notice.

 

Location: SARAFAND.
Officer Commanding: Maj AN Jenkins.

Dates:
1 - 8 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out.
9 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Corporal and 2 L/Cpls returned from 3rd Cadre Course P.R.T.D.
10 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. Three Drivers posted to Egypt. One L/Cpl deprived on Lance stripe.
11 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Driver posted to C.M.P. w.e.f. 18/7/40.
12 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Driver re-mustered as Clerk and posted to Haifa. Company commenced Stand-by-Flying Column.
13 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. One Driver (Cook) posted to Egypt.
14 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out.
15 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. Three Drivers promoted to L/Corpls w.e.f. 16/23/8/40 and 10/8/40.
16 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out.
17 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Driver proceeded on Cooks Course. 1 Sergt, 2 Drivers posted to Egypt.
18 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. Company finished Stand-by (Flying Column).
19 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. 1 Driver returned from Cooks Course. 1 Driver returned from Sanitary Course.
20 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. 50% N.C.Os on T.E.W.T.
21 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. Remaining 50% N.C.Os on T.E.W.T.
22 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. 50% N.C.Os and men on T.E.W.T. 5 Drivers posted to Abbassia, Egypt.
23 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. Remaining N.C.Os and men on T.E.W.T.
24 - 27 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out.
28 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. All available N.C.Os and Officers on T.E.W.T.
29 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out.
30 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. All available personnel - Training.
31 Aug 40: Normal station duties carried out. Twenty Palestinian personnel posted to this Company.

 

I have now completed the first year of the War Diary and as you can imagine 14 Company starts to ramp up their preparations for deploying on operations. I will now attach the War Diary entries.

SEPTEMBER 1940.

Key points:

• Maj AN Jenkins is posted to 61 Company RASC on 2 Sep 40.
• Annual Weapon Training completed.
• Company Stand-by Flying Column.
• 11 Vehicles and 40 personnel move in convoy from Palestine to Egypt.

 

OCTOBER 1940

 

NOVEMBER 1940

 

DECEMBER 1940

14 Company re-designated to 38 Res MT Company.

 

JANUARY 1941

 

FEBRUARY 1941

 

MARCH 1941

 

APRIL 1941