North Irish Horse World War II Diaries

June 1940 CO: Lt Col JAL Powel
Jun 40 North Irish Horse
4/6/40 Enniskillen
CO announced with regret the death of Major the Earl of Erne, from wounds received on Active Service whilst attached to 12th Royal Lancers in France,
5/6/40 Sgt Brown and one OR, Royal Corps of Signals, attached to Regt and posted to HQ Sqn.
6/6/40 W/SSgts Batchen TM, Hutton RS, & Sidebottom RSH, posted to OCTU RAC Wing Sandhurst.
DCM on Tpr Patton promulgated and sentence of 56 days detention awarded. AA 8(2).
15/6/40 Under orders of GOC, training subordinated to Defensive arrangements.
16/6/40 Localities in the immediate area of Enniskillen recced for defensive blocks and posts.
2Lts WH Ketchell, P Welch, GP Russell, RJ Griffith joined Regt for duty and posted to C Sqn, A Sqn, B Sqn, and A Sqn respectively.
17/6/40 NID Operation Instruction No. 1 dated 15/6/40. General Policy confirmed that there should be no withdrawal of forces in the defence of NI.
  1. Orders that Mobile Column will be at 30 mins notice between dusk and dawn.
  2. Alternative sites for locations to be prepared by HQ.
  3. All HQs to be prepared for all-round defence and garrison detail.NID Op.
Instruction No. 2 states that:-
  1. NIH will hold 10 Armoured cars in readiness to send away wherever required.
  2. RUC including B Force come under operational control of Military Commanders in their areas in the event of operations.
18/6/40 61st Div and attached troops moved to NI.
Regt remains under command 159th Inf Bde.
20/6/40 Increased instruction on the use of rifles and infantry tactics.
Erection of road blocks at 13 places guarding all entrances to Enniskillen commenced.
24/6/40 Detachment of 6 ACs commanded by Lt H Petch DCM despatched to Londonderry for attachment to commander 182 Bde.
26/6/40 Construction of 4 main road blocks and posts in Enniskillen itself taken over by REs. Trenches dug and all posts manned by night.
30/6/40 Major D Dawnay, 10th Royal Hussars posted to Regt and attached HQ Sqn.
Capt OC Smith-Bingham selected to attend War Staff course commencing Sept 1940.
"Lt KG Pomeroy granted unpaid acting rank of Captain.

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