1940 Diary

North Irish Horse World War II Diaries

February 1940	CO: Lt Col JAL Powell
Feb 40	North Irish Horse
2/2/40	Enniskillen Regt Reception Station opened at 14 Henry Street.
4/2/40	Church parade as strong as possible.
5/2/40	RSM Beales posted to 2nd Armd Div as Lt and QM. SSM Allen promoted to A/RSM.
7/2/40	Four ACs taken on strength. Two BSA Air Rifles purchased for use in pellet ranges.
9/2/40	Board of Officers consisting of Major Curtis GSO2, Capt Smith-Bingham and Capt Marshall RE met to examine proposals for range construction at Letterbreen. Not found suitable and decision made to carry out major part of firing at other ranges in N Ireland. NAAFI open in Enniskillen. Regt Strength:- Officers 16, WOs 6, Sgts 22, Cpl & ORs 304 Total 348
14/2/40	Orange Hall closed as sick bay.
15/2/40	Four BREN LMGs on loan from ITC.
16/2/40	One AC taken on strength.
17/2/40	Sgts Mess Opened.
18/2/40	10,000 rounds .22 ammo received from OO.
22/2/40	22,000 rounds .303 SAA received from OO.50 .455 pistols from OO Weedon 3 medium + 3 heavy BESA guns from OO Weedon.
23/2/40	10 VMGs for mounting on ACs
24/2/40	DRESS. All ranks will wear dress & badges of NIH.
25/2/40	Sgt Walker represents British Army in International Rugby match versus France, played in Paris.
26/2/40	A Sgt from APT School Aldershot attached. Cpl from 20th Btn RTR posted as Orderly Room Sgt.
29/2/40	Major JAL Powell from 4th Queens Own Hussars posted as CO – granted rank of Lt Col.