July - October 1941

On Sunday 13th of July, we were warned to expect a visit from Colonel Lord Somerset while training on the YMCA ground. He occupied so much time with the 9th Battalion on the Grammar School ground adjoining that he only arrived just as our parade was ready to be dismissed.

On the 2nd of July all Platoons in the Battalion were to be numbered consecutively.

-  “P” Company 1 to 7
-  “Q” Company 8-12
-  “R” Company 13 to 17
-  “S” Company 18-23
-  Signals 24
-  Battalion M.G. 25
-  City Docks 26-27

This made little difference to us in “R” Company by exercising a little ingenuity. No’s. 3, 4 & 5 Platoons became 13, 14 & 15. No.1 Platoon became No 16, and the M.G. Platoon No.17.

During July we took over the underground tunnel on Dr. Mason’s estate, and on July 1st it was shown to the Section Leaders of No 3. Platoon on whose area it was.

In July we also started to use the open-air range in the Glen. This range was the private property of No 13. Platoon, having been loaned to them by one of their members. They always loaned it however to any Platoon who asked for its use, and it proved a great acquisition to the Company.

The principal platform of July evening training seems to have been “Fire Control”. Mr. Jackson took the NCO’s to the front of Sheepwood with tripods, and this site was regularly used afterwards by most Platoons. The country offered first-class targets and was as nearly ideal as possible. Sergeant Foot’s scouts often cooperated by moving over the country in front of Sheepwood so to offer suitable targets.

Another visit to Yoxtor Range at Priddy on the Saturday 19th of July, four novices and four experts per Platoon were sent.

Proficiency Tests first came into prominence in July when a demonstration was given at the Royal Fort on Thursday 17th of July. Each Company sent two Officers, the C.S.M., and any other Sergeants considered fit to act subsequently as examiners. The idea being that the Tests would be carried out by Companies and to secure uniformity this demonstration was arranged. Ten men from the BBC “T” Company were actually put through the Test and passed out, so that the BBC came the first Company in the Battalion to secure any Proficiency Badges.

Our defensive positions were also altered at the end of July. Henbury was obviously too much for one Platoon so 14 & 15 Platoons took it over. No 13. readjusted their positions, to compensate for no one being out in front at 40 & 41 roadblocks which were given up. No 16. Platoon were in reserve and looked after the protection of Company Headquarters at Longacres, Ridgeway.

The new Rockingham Bombing Range was not finished, and four men from each Company were asked for to work on Sunday 13th and 20th of July.

The Adjutant Captain James staged a most effective demonstration of a fighting patrol on the 23rd of July in the Charlton, and busses took out representatives from each Company to see it. We were using the Horfield Barracks Miniature Ranges during July. Their use before this had been restricted owing to the absence of efficient blackout provision.

A Company Dance was also held in St. Alban’s Hall on 23rd of July.

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On the 6th of Aug 1941 the Battalion Signal Platoon, who had been attached to “R” Company for administration only, were transferred to “Q” for discipline and administration only. This made no difference; we still met them in the canteen which was just as much as we had seen them before.

It is also interesting to note that all claims of petrol coupons were then based on the official information that all cars did 28mpg.

On the 13th of August, “R” received 1,000 SAA for practice, and on the same date, shoulder rifles and flashes were issued. All Officers leaving Bristol by car were also instructed they must inform the Adjutant before doing so.

“R” Company, having won the first Battalion Miniature Shoot, tied on the 13th of Aug with “Q” in the second Shoot. The reshoot was lost to “Q”. Further results in this competition rarely reflected the Company’s ability on the Miniature Range.

During August, Sunday training was occupied by a series of Inter Platoon and Company Exercises chiefly to familiarise the Company with their rear positions.

There was no parade on Sunday 3rd of August, on the 10th No.13 & 16 Platoons attacked 14 & 15 in Henbury when the defence proved adequate and well sited.

On the 17th Nos.14 & 15 attacked No.13 plus No.21 Platoon of “S” Company, who occupied positions at junction of Knole Lane and Charlton Road, and operationally came under the control of “R” Company. Again, the defences were judged to be well-sited and positions adequate.

On the 24th No.13 were working to demolish the old Cathedral defence post on the Westbury Cricket ground.

On the 31st “S” Company attacked “R” Company positions, but the value of this exercise was somewhat spoilt by “S” starting far too close to our positions. Again, the defence was judged to be adequate and positions well-sited and manned.

No 16. Platoon under Lieutenant Jackson was training as a Fighting Patrol. Being the Company Reserve Platoon, they were judged to be the most likely to have to undertake such a duty. An excellent piece of country was selected north of, and parallel to Station Rd., Henbury. They were watched on Tuesday evening by Colonel Piper and Major Malcolm Lewis, who expressed themselves as very pleased with the whole turnout and performance.

This was worked up still further and given as a demonstration to the whole of the Company later on.

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On the 3rd of September Lt. Roberts transferred from “R” to “S” Company, and on the same date, instructions were issued that the Thompson Sub M.G’s were not to be used on the 30yds ranges. One such range we used was at Horfield Barracks, and another at Filton.

Those who have experienced the plenitude of food, supplied by Fitzgerald & others on Exercises and at Camps, may be interested to know the scale on which all rations were based. The scale was published on the 3rd of September 1941.

-  Meat: 2d per person
-  Bacon: 4/7th of an ounce
-  Margarine: 1 ounce
-  Cooking Fat: two thirds of an ounce
-  Tea:  half an ounce
-  Sugar: 1 ounce

How did they do it?

Guards at Company Headquarters were to be not less than 1 Officer, 1 Full Rank NCO, 1 Lance Corporal, and 15 Other Rank. Any additional guard, such as Cairns Rd. Sub Station, could form part of the 15 OR, providing not less than 8 OR should be left on duty at Company Headquarters.

The Horfield Miniature Ranges would still not be used at night - the promised blackout not having been completed.

Sunday 7th of September was kept as a National Day of Prayer; there were no parades except a Church Parade at Bristol Cathedral. Lieutenant Hunter, Dr. Wells, and 45 Volunteers represented “R” Company, and an excellent, smart turnout was reported. The Battalion paraded in Northcote Rd. outside the then Battalion Day Headquarters.

The high spots of this September however, were provided by first, the Exercise “Charmey Down” (Battle of Charmey Down), held on the 13/14^th of September, and the Inspection of the Battalion on the Downs by Field Marshall Lord Birdwood on Sunday the 23rd of September.

“CHARMY DOWN”

I took the opportunity on Saturday 6th of September to reconnoitre the ground with Rands, and again on the Friday 12th of September another recce was made by myself, Hunter, Wells, Foot, Davis, Philpott, Ball, Podd, Fulford, and Rowe - Three cars were used and a start was made from Whiteladies Rd. at 4pm.

The object of the Exercise was to test the defence of the Aerodrome as provided by the Regular Garrison and the Bath Home Guard and the working of a mobile relief Column. Three separate attacks were to be made simultaneously from three sites, and “R” Company were cast to represent a Heavy German Parachute Company whose duty it was to cover and support the assault of an attacking Parachute Column represented by the 9th Gloucestershire Battalion under the command of Major Ashmead.

Twelve men from “Q” under Lieutenant Walters were attached to “R” Company and they represented a Section armed with three Anti-Tank Rifles.

In the absence of Lieutenant Jackson, and Sergeant Foot unwell, C.S.M. Philpott took command of No.16 Platoon.

Mr. Davies with No.13 Platoon represented a Heavy Mortar Platoon.

Mr. Rowe with half of No.14 Platoon represented M.G. Platoon.

Mr. Hunter with half of No.14 Platoon represented M.G. Platoon.

One Section of No.13 Platoon represented a Light Mortar Section.

The Company paraded at 15.30hrs on the 13th, approximately 136 strong plus a contingent, and returned at 11.00hrs on the 14th.

A variety of transport took the Company to the dropping area, some distance from Charmey Down, where we met the 9th Battalion, and where food was issued from Mobile Canteens manned by the Women’s Volunteer Service. Here the first departure from schedule took place. The Exercise instructions, (a copy of which I had never received, but which were shown to me by Major Ashmead), gave the dropping area and a precise starting line considerably nearer to Charmey Down. The starting line was not to be crossed before 18.00hrs. Umpires arrived at the dropping area and refused to allow this column to move from the dropping area until 18.00hrs. This meant that to synchronise our column attack with that of the other two columns, we had to make up the time between the dropping area and the starting line.

“R” Company, to get into a position on the flank of the 9th Battalion from which we could cover their advance and finally support them nearly up to their final assault positions, had a long way to go and over difficult country. We had to reach the edge of a large wood on this side of the steep precipitous valley, from which position we hoped to be within accurate range of the defence across the valley. Their positions would be on and near the skyline to us. We found and entered the wood at its back, but the wood was very dense and to start with the leading Platoon went wrong and had to be recalled having lost their direction. We at length reached our positions and indicated that we had opened fire by waving flags. The hill below the wood was so steep we found ourselves looking down on the roofs of a small village below, and plainly to be seen moving about in the courtyard of a farm appeared to be a Platoon of enemy thrown forward well in advance of their normal aerodrome defence positions of which we had information (from intelligence and air recon.). We found the 9th Battalion well advanced and decided we could do no more good from our present position. We thought we could help considerably by dropping into the valley, scaling the other side, and moving round or over a spur jutting out from the positions the 9th Battalion was to assault. By wheeling right, we could then come up on the left flank of the 9th Battalion at right angles to their advance and take the defence in the flank.

We accordingly moved the whole Company as fast as possible to the village below, and as we left the wood from a number of points, we must have looked a considerably larger force than we really were to the Platoon of enemy in the village. They cleared out as fast as they could. We quickly rallied and each Platoon was given its route and instructions and the advance continued. No longer were we dropping down a precipitous hill from the 700ft contour to the 50ft contour, but now we were climbing up an equally steep face, and to complicate matters it quickly became dark before we really started up the hill. One Platoon met a vertical cliff at one point some 15ft or so high but scaled it by climbing trees growing close to it.

The heavy equipment, (in token), could obviously not be carried on such a quick advance over such difficult country and this was left with sufficient men to look after it. Guides were taken from them who would return to lead them up after the attack had succeeded.

After we had crossed the spur we hoped to strike a bridle path shown on the map, which should lead more or less exactly to the point we wanted to reach. There was some doubt however, first if the path really existed, and secondly if it would be sufficiently defined to be recognisable in the dark.

Everything went well however each Platoon struck the path and turned right at it. In complete silence and without a pause the Company sorted itself into two waves and very soon arrived on the Aerodrome defence just at the critical stage when the 9th Battalion were making their frontal attack. The diversion of our arrival at the precise spot where we could be of use and at the right time undoubtedly would have turned the situation in our favour. All the defence attention seemed to be directed onto the 9th Battalion and we met little or no opposition.

The elan displayed by everyone in moving so quickly over such almost impossible country was amazing. The youngsters set the pace but the old ‘uns kept up with them.

The work of the Officers in keeping direction in the dark completely out of touch with other Platoons, linking up again directly the flatter top had been reached and wheeling to the right successfully. The Section Leaders in keeping their men together, and of the men themselves in using their intelligence and maintaining strict night movement discipline was really remarkable. It looked far more like the performance of seasoned well trained troops and was certainly far better than could have been expected of a Home Guard Unit. It was just one of those occasions when everything went well and according to plan.

Immediately we found we had obtained our objective the guides returned to the valley to bring up the remainder with their token heavy mortars and equipment, and in a very short space of time the whole Company had reported and the positions gained had been consolidated ready for any counter-attack that might develop. No attack appeared to be immediately forthcoming and so Outposts were posted, and as many drawn in to rest as could be spared.

The guides deserved special mention. The night was very dark and it was no easy matter to find one’s way back again to the valley. Not only did they do this successfully, but they faced the second climb straight away and led the remainder up with no fuss or difficulty by a shorter route than we had used - Sergeant Ball was largely responsible for this.

Now started a rather trying period. Everyone had arrived at the top in a bath of perspiration, clothes were soaking wet and clammy. The night was cold and grew progressively colder and colder, and there was little shelter except what could be obtained from the walls of a hut and some low stone walls.

It was difficult to obtain any information. There was rumoured to be a period of Stand Down, before the second phase of the Exercise would develop. This however did not happen, for several reasons. Other positions of the attack had not succeeded and in places, the fight went on all night. “R” Company maintained proper discipline, no noise and no smoking. A few were allowed into a hut at a time to have a smoke and a warm. Those outside behaved as if they were on a real job. This in spite of several Umpires who gave a bad example of smoking, and in spite of the near bivouac of a large number of men from another Battalion who all smoked and seemed to take no interest in the Exercise.

Colonel Chapman and his Staff arrived and established their Headquarters in a nearby hut. Those who saw Colonel Chapman with a blanket hooded over his head, and consequently with his hair very disordered, and looking exceedingly fierce in the bitter cold, will not easily forget the sight.

In due course enemy patrols bumped into our Sentry groups and the Piquets were roused. About dawn, an infantry attack started to develop but finding us alert and in strong positions, they passed across our front, just like a wave curling around a rock, and as far as I could see expended their momentum in much the same way as a wave without getting anywhere.

The Cease-fire went and we formed up on the aerodrome to march right across it, past the Control Tower, parked machines, hangars, and finally out through the main entrance onto the road where we hoped to pick up the W.V.S. Mobile Canteens again, and our transport for home.

We found our W.V.S. Canteens - or they found us, and in due course our transport, and we eventually arrived home tired and weary but satisfied that it had all been well worthwhile and a thoroughly good show.

The long wait in the cold on the aerodrome had not been without interest. Machines were leaving and returning from Operations, and also on a neighbouring Colerne Drome as well. To see these machines coming in lighted up and landing in the flare paths was an experience few had shared before.

On return to Headquarters, I was handed an envelope delivered by post. On opening, it proved to contain the instructions for Exercise Charmy Down – somewhat late!!!

“P” Company had also had a successful night over somewhat similar types of ground with another attacking column. They bumped into a relieving Platoon who were brought from Bath by bus. As they debussed someone from “P” Company shouted, “This way”, and the whole Platoon followed the Leader into a Farm Barn where they were promptly taken prisoner.

The mechanised relief column in Bren Carriers had a sticky reception in trying to get on to the Aerodrome. They were compelled to keep to the road by the mountainous country an by the entrance the road passes through a cutting. They were badly bombed with flour bombs from the cutting, and it must have gone badly with them.

In other places the fight was furious. The Control Tower changed hands several times and isolated scraps were still going on when the Exercise finished.

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The Social side of the Company continued to progress and the experiment of holding a Whist Drive, at St. Alban’s Hall, was tried out on Monday 15th of September 1941. It did not prove a success however and only 7 or 8 tables managed to play. Another Dance was held at St. Alban’s Hall on the 29th and as usual, was well supported.

On Sunday 28th of September, Field Marshall Lord Birdwood inspected the Battalion on the plateau of Durdham Downs, by the side of the Ladies Mile Road and the Avon Gorge, at the top of Fountain Hill. Those who witnessed this parade all testified that it was a smart and workmanlike show, and that the march past was really good. This is borne out by a film, partly in colour, that was taken by a member of “P” Company. Some of the march past was recorded in Slow Motion, and the standard of marching and the slopes stood this test very well.

Field Marshall Lord Birdwood, as usual on such occasions, spoke personally to a very large number of men and was interested when he arrived at “R” Company and my name was given to him. He married a Miss Bromhead and as the name is not a very common one, the coincidence naturally roused his comment.

Officers went to “Q” Company after the parade to meet the Field Marshall. This message from him appeared in Battalion Orders:

“R” Company had 150 on parade. This did not compare quite with “P” and “Q” Companies, but they had not been split to form two Companies.

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The first matter of interest in October was the demonstration of a Fighting Patrol given by No.16 Platoon under Lieutenant Jackson, to the whole Company on Sunday 5th of October. Those who witnessed this demonstration will remember how well the country selected served the purpose. The Company only needed to take up two positions to witness the Platoon move from its starting point at the farm on Station Road, to the house “Brent Knoll” where Passage Road joins Cribbs Causeway - the finish. The Company first took up a position on the hill under Haw Wood, where considerable excavation since has completely altered the situation. From here the Platoon could be seen leaving the farm, approaching the footbridge over the Hallen Railway line, crossing the line, and moving fast across country parallel with Station Road. The method of movement could be seen and the whole was explained step by step through a megaphone, so that all should have been able to hear and understand. The first objective having been reached, the lane leading to ... North Hill Cottage, Haw Wood (see separate note) ... the Company were able to hear Lt. Jackson give his instructions to his Section Leaders, for the next round. The Company then moved across this lane to the next stand on the high ground overlooking the house “Brent Knoll”. Here the movement of the Patrol over a difficult piece of ground, rather exposed and lacking in cover, could be observed, while the methods used were explained. From this same stand the final move could be seen. Information having been obtained that the enemy were in the gardens surrounding “Brent Knoll House”, Lieutenant Jackson formed his plan of attack, issued his instructions, and the final moves were easily observed right up to the final assault.

No.16 put up a creditable performance, especially as in the usual Home Guard manner, some of those who had rehearsed it, were unable to take part and their places were taken by others who had not had any opportunity of rehearsal. Altogether the training of No.16 leading up to this demonstration was excellent training for a Platoon who might have been called upon to carry out such a task. The audience gave them something to work for and kept them on their toes, while the whole Company also benefited by seeing a Fighting Patrol doing its job properly. Later on, this same piece of country was used by all Platoons to work over on the same lines throughout October.

On the 8th of October Dr. Wells was appointed Battalion Gas Officer but still remained on the strength of “R” Company. Also, on October 8th the “Z” Scheme of entry into the Navy came into operation and several members of the Company took advantage of it.

All No.1’s of the Light Browning went to Pilning Range on Sunday 12th of October under Captain Podd and two of the Company Musketry experts. Lieutenant Jackson and Hancock superintended the test and trial of each gun. Harley was instructing in Bombing. Mr. Law was working on Fighting Patrols with his Platoon and C.S.M. Philpott was taking recruits on the YMCA ground turning them into smart members of the Company.

An Inter-Company Exercise was held at Henbury on Sunday 19th of October when “P” Company attacked Henbury village, which was held by the Garrison No’s. 14 & 15 Platoons, with No.16 in reserve in Company Headquarters, Ridgeway. There was no particular interest in the Exercise itself, except for one circumstance which indicated that the training of the past had not been entirely in vain. “R” Company had to be in position manning their Action Station positions in and around Henbury by 10.00hrs. “P” Company could have their debussing point somewhere on Kingsweston Rd at 10.00hrs. Colonel Piper was acting as director of the Exercise. Colonel Piper drove into Henbury about 10 minutes before ten, got out of his car, and looked around. He looked further, returned to his car, drove to “P” Company, and delayed their start for half an hour - because “R” Company were not in position and had evidently been delayed. “R” Company had however been in position since 09.45hrs, but so well concealed that Colonel Piper had thought Henbury deserted.

Mr. Hamilton Jenkins had moved into a house at Henbury, had contacted “R” Company, and was introduced on 27th of October to the Company NCO’s who were being instructed in the canteen on message making by a Sergeant from Battalion Intelligence Section. 2nd Lieutenant Hamilton Jenkins was officially posted to “R” Company from the 16th Battalion on the 14th of November. Before that, he had served with a Works Home Guard Unit on an aerodrome in London throughout the Battle of Britain. Damaged Spitfires were constantly coming in for urgent overhaul and they lived on the drome in the works, working all night and day and looking after the ground defence at the same time. They had bags of ammunition from the damaged machines and being equipped with Bren Guns, used up this ammo in their Brens - Hamilton was an expert Bren Gunner among his other qualifications.

One push cycle was issued to the Company in October, and a Company sign to be illuminated at night was constructed to be placed outside the Headquarters to conform with Battalion instructions. The written signs we had erected had been taken down presumably for security reasons.