There is nothing to show the date and formation of the Coy or the original composition. The first Diary entry is 1 Oct 39 when they are in RENNES, France under Capt E H Brine MC. In Nov 39 there is a change in commander but his name is illegible. In Dec 39 they are still in RENNES.

Dec 39 / Maj E H Brooke DSO MC – OC
Capt B F Fountain – only other officer
Jan 40 /

Dairy merely states

Regular working parties supplied daily

20 Jan 40 / Lt D S L Perkins – tos
18 May 40 / All work stopped and Coy started intensive training
20 May 40 / Transferred 94 ORs from the Royal Fusiliers top 10 Coy.
2300 hours – entrained RENNES Station with a strength of 4 officers & 225 ORs. 84 ORs left RENNES in the charge of an officer of 64 Coy
21 May 40 / 1500 hours – arrived EVEREUX. Formed part of ‘A’ Battalion DIGFORCE (with 3, 10 & 18 Coys)
21 May 40 / Coy entrained with 3, 10 & 28 Coys and formed a Battalion under LtCol T E Pearman. Detrained at EVREUX at 1830 hours. Spent the night bivouacked in woods – rained all night. – 18 Coy Diary
22 May 40 / Marched 17 km to BOISSET LES PREVANCHES
23 May 40 / Reformed into 4 Platoons
Lt G M Welsh - tos
Officers:-
Maj E H Brooke DSO MC – OC
Capt B F Fountain – 2IC
Lt D S L Perkins, G M Welsh & Lt J T Leitch (74 Coy attached)
31 May 40 / Guarding bridges and French ammunition.
Coy preparing to move
Lt F J H M Hancock – serving
HQ ‘A’ Bn consists of:-
LtCol F F G Brettorous – CO
Maj T E Pearman (33 Coy) – 2IC
Maj C J Archdale
Capt F C Arnold – Adjt
Lt S Kirstley
Lt E A Robertson – MO

There are no diaries for Jun or Jul 40

8 Jun 40 / Fighting reported at LA HAYE and GRAINVILLE (8 kms North of Coy HQ). Orders to stand unless otherwise ordered.

1400 hours – withdrawal ordered and commenced with 28 Coy on the left moving through the Company front. They are followed by 18 Coy from left to right. Coy march route and rendezvous on the ROMILLY – ALIZAY road. Received Battalion orders to hold LE MANOIR village with 28 Coy on the left at IGNOVILLE. 10 Coy on Right at PITRES – 18 Coy Diary

9 Jun 40 /

Part of DIGFORCE with 3, 18 & 28 Coys

0600 hours – CQMS Conner reported that he could not get over PONT DE ARCH as told by 28 Coy that the bridge was blocked and under fire from the enemy on the high ground to the north west – 10 Coy Diary
9 Jun 40 / 0545 hours – Maj T E Pearman (Bn 2IC) arrives at LA MANOIR and confirms that 28 Coy are in action in front of PONTDE L’ARCHE – 18 Coy Diary
20 Jun 40 / Orders for ‘P’ Bn (3, 10, 18 & 28 Coys AMPC) to leave by rail and moved to SOUTHEND ON SEA – 18 Coy Diary
6 Aug 40 / Located in LIVERPOOL in 12 Centre
Maj E H Brooke DSO MC – OC
7 Aug 40 / Moved to BECKENHAM
14 Aug 40 / Commenced work at CRAYFORD, DARTFORD, BEXLEY HEATH, SHIRLEY, WICKHAM, CROYDON, KENLEY & BIGGIN HILL
9 Sep 40 / Moved to RICHMOND
16 Sep 40 / 7 sections working at OXSHOTT, Chessington until 30 Sep 40
Oct 40 / Detachments at OXSHOTT, PERIVALE, WORMWOOD SCRIBS, KEMPTON PARK, DOLLIS HILL, TOWER OF LONDON, HORSE GUARDS, ASHFORD, HOBART HOUSE & CURZON STREET
29 Nov 40 / All men are assisting the various fires caused by enemy air action
Dec 40 / HQ still at RICHMOND with sections at CHIPSTEAD, OXSHOTT and ASHFORD – part of 28 Group

1

16/11/18