1st July.
Brigade HQ – PANICALE.
On 25 June, advance parties from each battalion and Brigade HQ concentrated under divisional arrangements and left for train for Caserta the next day. Information was very scarce and it was known that the division was to go to a concentration area near Rome preparatory to handing over all stores and transport before leaving Italy for an unknown destination. The whole brigade was out of the line and the remainder of the division was to be relieved of its commitments west of Lake Trasimene within the next few days. Advance parties to recce the concentration area near Rome left at 1500 hrs. Orders were issued for the brigade to move em-bused tomorrow to the new concentration area. Head of column past SP at 0500 hrs and order of march to be Brigade HQ, 6 Innisks, 2 LIR, 1 RIrF, 214 Field Coy, D Support Group
1 RIrF – CASTLE 475881.
Admin received move order No 13 – 38 (Irish) Infantry Brigade, followed by amendment.
1040 Issue bttn move order No 8.
6 Innisks – LAKE TRASIMENE.
Weather fine and sunny.
This was the last day of the bttn’s stay in the area south of Lake Trasimene and much of the time was taken up in packing and preparing for the move south.
1400 6 Innisks Movement Order issued.
1630 Brigade Commander visited Bttn HQ to discuss future moves.
2 LIR – IN THE FIELD (ITALY).
1200 Bttn warned for move back to Tivoli area on 2/7/44. Advance party to leave at 1400 hrs 1/7/44,
1500 TCVs from 4 Indian Division arrive in bttn area.
2nd July.
Brigade HQ – PANICALE.
0500 Brigade column passed SP for concentration area near Rome.
A halting place was arranged for units to halt for one hour at midday to make tea and have a haversack lunch. The head of the column started to arrive in the concentration area by about 1445 hrs and the whole brigade was reported in the area by 1800 hrs. It was a very long journey for the carriers, many of which broke down and were not complete until the following morning.
1600 Brigade HQ established. Map ref F 905730. Remainder of Brigade Group in areas around Brigade HQ
1 RIrF – CASTLE 475881.
0630 Left castle. Brigade SP 0730 hrs.
1830 Bttn consolidated area 8873.
6 Innisks – LAKE TRASIMENE.
Weather – fine and warm – light cloud.
0330 Reveille. Final preparations were made for the move and the bttn was em-bused by 0415 hrs.
0430 Bttn moved off and made a good journey with a one hour’s stop at midday near Viterbo.
1515 Bttn arrived in its new area, midway between Rome and Tivoli and was soon settled in, owing to the good work of the bttn advance party. Shortly after the bttn arrived, the MBU came along and was soon established and working.
In the evening, the Divisional Dance Band played in the bttn area and gave a very good performance.
2 LIR – IN THE FIELD (ITALY).
0400 Bttn cooks’ trucks leave for intermediate area.
0530 Bttn ready to move. Order of march – Bttn HQ, HQ, E, F, G, H and S Coy, B Echelon.
0600 Bttn pass Brigade SP.
1400 One hour’s halt for hot meal.
1600 Bttn HQ arrive in area Stazione Lunshezza 899699. All coys and B Echelon in same area.
3rd July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY.
As soon as the battalions had settled down in the new concentration area, arrangements were quickly made to give men as much leave in Rome as possible. Daily leave trucks – as many as could be spared – were to be sent in each day from each battalion, returning camp at 2230 hrs. Therefore, every man was able to get into Rome either every other day or once every three days. In addition to allowing the men as much leave as possible, there was considerable work to be done during the next few days getting everything ready for the handover. Vehicles had to be checked and cleaned and all G 1098 stores that were going to be taken with us to be packed and stored in crates.
1 RIrF – TIVOLI.
Day leaves to Rome. Four Canadian officers joined bttn. Major Clark MC i/c bttn. Telegram conveying congratulations of Division and Brigade Commander to Father Dan on award of MC.
6 Innisks – TIVOLI.
Weather – fine and warm.
Day passes to Rome for 30% of the bttn personnel were issued. Personnel were conveyed to Rome in unit transport.
1000 Church parade for C of Es.
The remainder of the battalion spent a quiet day cleaning up and making themselves comfortable.
2 LIR – TIVOLI.
0900 Bttn cadres recommenced. Parties proceed to Rome on day leave.
4th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY
Leave parties to Rome continue. All battalions continue preparations for handing over stores and transport.
1 RIrF – TIVOLI.
Continue day leaves.
6 Innisks – TIVOLI.
Weather fine and warm.
30% day passes to Rome continued.
The day was quiet and uneventful; and in the evening, a mobile film unit showed the film “Ride ‘Em Cowboy”, which was enjoyed by all present.
2 LIR – TIVOLI.
0800 All transport (except necessary vehicles to B Echelon in preparation for handover.
0900 Parties proceed to Rome on day leave.
1800 Bttn Sports.
1945 Bttn Sports postponed halfway through owing to arrival of Divisional Concert Party.
5th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY.
Leave parties for Rome continue. Battalions prepare stores and transport for handing over. Advance parties of 56 Division arrive during the evening. Advance party 169 Brigade report to this HQ to take over transport and all stores. Preparations commence to organise a dance to be given by officers of Brigade HQ to the officers of the Brigade Group and also to arrange a restaurant for the men as the feeding arrangements in Rome were not of the highest order.
6 Innisks – TIVOLI.
Weather fine and warm.
Quiet day with no important events. There were the usual allotment of day passes to Rome.
2 LIR – TIVOLI.
0900 Parties leave for day in Rome.
1000 All G1098 stores to be handed in to QM stores.
1800 Second half of Bttn Sports held. Prizes presented to sections and platoons.
2030 ENSA film show in bttn area.
Died on this Day:
Rifleman Charles Edwards, London Irish Rifles.
6th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY.
Leave parties to Rome and preparations for the handover of transport and stores continues.
1 RIrF – TIVOLI.
Advance parties from 56 Division arrived.
6 Innisks – TIVOLI.
The Bttn Pipe Band was taken to Rome to give a performance and a great crowd was drawn, which showed great appreciation. The usual allotment of 30% of the bttn went to Rome on day pass.
The rest of the day was quiet and uneventful.
2 LIR – TIVOLI.
0900 Usual leave parties to Rome.
Advance parties from 2/7 Queens, 56 Division arrive in bttn area.
7th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY
Leave parties to Rome and preparations for handover to 169 Brigade continues. Orders received for future moves of the brigade. Advance parties to recce concentration area at Taranto to move by rail at 1400 hrs, 9 July. Brigade to move by rail on 10 July from Rome to Taranto to a concentration area there. Trains, each holding 800 men, leave at 0900, 1200 and 1500 hrs.
6 Innisks and 50% Brigade HQ to leave at 0900 hrs. 2 LIR and remainder of Brigade HQ at 1200 hrs, 1 RIrF at 1500 hrs.
1 RIrF – TIVOLI.
PT interior economy. Day leaves.
Died on this Day:
Fusilier George Kennedy, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
6 Innisks – TIVOLI.
Weather still fine and warm.
Normal allotment of day passes to Rome.
38 Brigade opened a canteen – the ‘Shamrock Club’ – for the three bttns, which were well organised and fully appreciated by all the troops who used it.
2 LIR – TIVOLI.
0800 Usual leave parties to Rome.
0900 Transport, except for essential vehicles but including AFVs and A/Tk guns handed over to 2/7 Queens.
1800 Lt Col J McCann, Welfare Officer, Rome area and former Second in Command of bttn visited Bttn HQ.
8th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY.
At 1200 hrs, the Brigade Commander opened the Shamrock Club. The situation of feeding troops in Rome was still far from good and it was decided to open a restaurant for the Brigade Group. A great deal of hard work was put in by the Staff Captain in finding a suitable restaurant and organising the running of it. The restaurant was situated in the Via Gamero in Rome and was a complete success from the very beginning. A total of 700 meals being sold during the first day. In the evening at the Barberini Palace in Rome, Brigade TPD Scott and the officers of the HQ held an officers dance for the Brigade Group. About four hundred guests were present and the whole evening was an outstanding success, much appreciated by all. The Brigade Pipe Band played Retreat before the dance and later on in the evening, the pipers danced jigs and reels, followed by some Haymakers Jigs danced by the officers and their guests.
Lt-Col HEN Bredin MC returns to the brigade. He was wounded on Piumarola on 17th May when commanding the 6 Innisks.
1 RIrF – TIVOLI.
Massed bands of 38th Brigade beat Retreat on the square of Barberini Palace, followed by brigade dance.
6 Innisks – TIVOLI.
Weather fine and warm.
The bttn was to move on the 10th without transport, which was being handed over to 2/4 Hampshires of 56 Division. Therefore, the job of packing everything in crates was begun – the Bttn Pioneers being called upon for advice and assistance far more than was usual.
The Brigade Commander gave a dance for all officers of the Brigade in Rome. This was preceded by the Brigade Pipe Bands playing Retreat in the grounds of the palace where the dance was held.
The whole evening was very successful and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
2 LIR – TIVOLI.
0815 Bttn parade of all RCs to practice drill for forthcoming visit to Vatican City.
1000 Bttn bathing at MBU.
1800 Intercoy football matches – HQ v G, E v H.
9th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY.
All stores and transport handed over to 169 Infantry Brigade. Brigade pick up remaining stores and prepares to entrain tomorrow for staging area, just outside Taranto. Brigade Commander addresses the officers and men of 6th Bttn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He explained to the bttn that they were being disbanded on orders from the War Office and were being amalgamated with the 2nd Bttn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. The 2nd Bttn would retain the name and become part of the Irish Brigade. The officers and men made surplus to establishment by the amalgamation would become first line reinforcements for the brigade.
1 RIrF – TIVOLI.
Lt-Col JH Coldwell Horsfall assumed command. Divisional audience with the Pope. Carriers handed over. Advance party left for Taranto.
6 Innisks – TIVOLI.
Weather cloudy and cooler with high wind.
There were no day passes for Rome today, owing to the need for completing all arrangements for the move on the 10th. Packing etc went on all day and everything was stacked ready for loading.
1700 Brigade Commander arrived at Brigade HQ and spoke to all officers on the subject of the bttn being disbanded and asked for all assistance in softening the blow. After speaking to the officers, he spoke to the whole bttn and said that it had been decreed by higher authorities that the bttn was to be disbanded owing to the lack of Irish reinforcements.
The Second Bttn was to come from the 5th Division to take our place in the ‘Irish side’, but the Brigadier promises that as many personnel as possible of the 6th would be absorbed into this bttn and others would go to the 1 RIrF and 2 LIR, thus keeping as many of the 6th Inniskillings as possible in the brigade.
A new W/E raising the total for the bttn to 43 officers and 900 other ranks considerably helped in this. The bttn received the news with mixed feelings, none of them pleasant, for the men of the bttn had done a lot of good work together and had played a leading part in building up the reputation of the Irish Brigade. However….
2 LIR – TIVOLI.
0715 Bttn Parade of all RCs and a number of CEs for visit to the Pope and the Vatican City.
1730 Bttn warned for move on following day. All remaining stores packed up.
1900 CO addresses bttn and announce his transfer as CO of 1 RIrF. Lt-Col HEN Bredin, MC, assumes command of the bttn.
10th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY.
0900 6 Innisks and 50% Brigade HQ entrains at Rome station and move off at 0915 hrs.
1200 2 LIR and remainder of Brigade HQ entrain.
1500 1 RIrF en-train.
1 RIrF – TIVOLI.
Entrain at Rome for Taranto. Captain Hodsell and Lieut Room left bttn.
6 Innisks – TIVOLI.
Weather, cloudy but warm.
0500 Reveille.
0530 Heavy baggage went off to Prenestina Station, where it was loaded onto the train.
0640 Bttn left in RASC transport for Prenestina Station, where they entrained in box wagons, 30 men to a truck.
0910 Train pulled out and a very slow train journey commenced; about 25 miles being covered in the first ten hours.
1900 Train halted in a siding and food was cooking at the side of the line.
2 LIR – TIVOLI.
0900 Bttn leaves in TCVs for Prenestina Station.
1030 Bttn arrives at station and boards train,
1200 Train journey begins.
11th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY.
Whole brigade in train for Taranto. Trains were composed completely of cattle trucks and each truck held thirty men including their personal kit and there was considerable overcrowding and discomfort.
1 RIrF.
En route.
6 Innisks – ON TRAIN.
0900 The train had reached Roccasecca near Cassino where it stayed for about two and a half hours. Breakfast was cooked here and most of the bttn managed to get washed and shaved in addition.
1130 Train left Roccasecca and by 1215 hrs was passing the ruins of Cassino and the Monastery. These places drew considerable interest for it was the first time that most of the battalion had seen the places since they passed them in very different circumstances.
1400 Train stopped for a short halt at Sparnise. Here L/Cpl Pidgeon met with a fatal accident through falling under the train as it started.
1645 The train stopped in a siding near Caserta and here a hot meal was prepared.
2030 Another halt was called at Benevento and more M & V, biscuits and tea were served.
Weather was fine and sunny.
Died on this Day:
Lance Corporal Samuel Pidgeon, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
2 LIR.
0900 Train halts in siding, south of Frosinone.
1200 Train journey continues.
12th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY.
1500 6 Innisks arrive at Taranto station and march to staging area four miles outside Taranto. The other two trains containing 2 LIR and 1 RIrF were not due in until late in the evening and arrangements were made for the troops to sleep on them until the early morning.
6 Innisks – ON TRAIN.
Weather, cloudy but dry.
0600 The train travelled slowly throughout the night and reached Barletta, where a breakfast was served of M & V and tea.
After this, there were no long halts until the bttn arrived in Taranto at 1445 hrs.
The bttn marched to the Transit Camp near the Railway Station, where a hot meal of M & V, rice and tea was served, after which the bttn marched to its own camp, five miles north of Taranto.
1630 Bttn settled down to the task of ‘moving in’. Offices and stores were set up – blankets etc, drawn.
1900 Bttn was settled in and only just in time, for shortly afterwards heavy rain fell. Even so, many tents were washed out, as lack of tentage had necessitated the use of fly sheets as tents.
2 LIR.
0700 Train halted for one hour at Benevento – hot meal of tea and stew served.
1430 Train halt for one hour at Barletta for hot meal
13th July.
Brigade HQ – ITALY.
0900 2 LIR and 1 RIrF arrive at staging area together with the remainder of Brigade HQ.
Arrangements were made to borrow transport from static units and ferry 50% of the men into Taranto on day leave.
1 RIrF.
0530 Arrived at Taranto. Breakfast on track side.
1000 Reached Divisional Transit Camp. Clean and settle.
6 Innisks – TARANTO.
Weather fine and warm – but cloudy.
50% of the bttn was allowed into Taranto on day pass until 2030 hrs.
Weapons were cleaned and a general ‘clean up’ was carried out, after the dirty train journey.
The water in short supply in the camp and precautions had to be taken to ensure strict economy in its use.
2 LIR.
0600 Train arrived at first destination – at Narsisi Station (Taranto area).
0700 Breakfast at station. Bttn then march 1 mile to Transit Camp.
1200 50% of bttn on leave in Taranto. Also swimming and bath parades.
14th July.
Brigade HQ – TARANTO.
Lt-Gen Allfrey, Commander, 5 Corps, spoke to the officers and men of the 6th Bttn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was representing General Alexander, who could not get away as he was too busy. He explained the reason for the disbanding of the battalion and why General Alexander could not come down himself to speak to the battalion. Lt-Gen Allfrey was accompanied by the Brigade Commander, who was in Bari, awaiting a plane to fly him to Cairo.
The return of Lt-Col Bredin and the disbanding of 6 Innisks necessitated a change in COs. Lt-Col Coldwell–Horsfall – an Irish Fusilier – now commanding 2 LIR took over command of 1 RIrF. Lt-Col Bredin (RUR) took over command of 2 LIR. On the amalgamation of the two Inniskilling battalions, Lt-Col Scott would retain command of 2 Innisks.
1 RIrF.
Day leaves to Taranto. Light training and sports.
6 Innisks – TARANTO.
Weather fine with light cloud.
The allotment of leave passes to Taranto was reduced to 50%.
As the bttn had no transport of its own, two x 3 tonners were borrowed and a shuttle service for carrying troops into Taranto was started.
1200 Corps Commander of 5 Corps visited the bttn to speak for General Alexander on the disbanding of the bttn. He expressed great sympathy and assured us that everyone else felt the same – but nothing could be down about now.
2030 A cinema show was shown in the camp area.
2 LIR.
0830 RC church parade.
0930 CO addresses bttn.
1000 Day leaves to Taranto.
15th July.
Brigade HQ – TARANTO.
Day leave in Taranto. Bathing parties. Preparations made to load heavy baggage tomorrow on to lighters. Transport loaded up ready to leave first thing in the morning.
1 RIrF.
Continue above.
6 Innisks – TARANTO.
Weather fine and warm.
Normal allotment of day passes were available to Taranto.
During the day, preparations were made for leaving the location and, in the evening, heavy baggage was packed up in crates and loaded onto trucks, ready to move early on 16th July 1944.
2 LIR.
0900 Day of recreation. Leave parties to Taranto.
16th July.
Brigade HQ – TARANTO.
0600 Heavy baggage of Brigade HQ, 6 Innisks, and 2 LIR are loaded on to one lighter. Lighter to remain there until the next morning when it will report to ship transporting the brigade.
1 RIrF.
Orders received to move on 17th.
6 Innisks – TARANTO.
Weather fine and warm.
0630 Heavy baggage with party under command of Captain PS Anderson left for port.
0930 Brigade Church Services were held for all denominations.
After the church, the Commanding Officer spoke to the bttn on security and also gave a few words of advice for the benefit of personnel who had not been there before, on the customs and habits of the people likely to be encountered in the Middle East.
In the evening all kit, less bedding was packed up and stacked, ready for loading onto vehicles early on 17th July.
2 LIR.
0600 All heavy baggage transport to docks for loading.
0900 RC and CE church parades.
0930 Bttn FFI inspection.
17th July.
Brigade HQ – TARANTO.
0600 Light baggage party left for Oil Jetty, Taranto.
1230 Marching personnel left transit camp to march down to Taranto. Picked up by transport in Taranto and taken to Oil Jetty, Taranto.
1600 Marching personnel arrive Oil Jetty, Taranto.
1630 Embarkation commences on HMT Banfora. Brigade HQ first, 6 Innisks second and then 2 LIR. Whole piper piped aboard by pipes of 2 LIR. 1 RIrF sailed on the HMT Ponttanic and were separated from the rest of the brigade.
1 RIrF.
0800 Berthing party moved off.
1500 Bttn moved off.
1630 Embarked on MS Durban Castle.
6 Innisks – TARANTO.
Weather fine and warm.
0630 Reveille; and blankets were rolled and added to the baggage to be taken to the port.
0730 Baggage was taken to the port and handed over to the Baggage Party for loading on to the lighter with other ‘hold’ luggage, less large packs, which was laid out for personnel to give up as they marched past.
0945 Berthing Party of 1 officer and 3 ORs left for the port, where they went straight on to the boat and arranged coy areas on the mess decks allotted.
0950 CO met CO of 2/4 Hampshires and exchanged views with him.
1230 Bttn left camp and marched to Taranto, passing on the way troops of 56 Division, who were coming into Italy.
1510 Bttn em-bused at the Governor’s Palace in Taranto and were taken to the Oil Jetty wharf, approximately three miles outside Taranto.
1550 Bttn arrived at the jetty and commenced taking up packs.
1630 Embarkation started and everybody was shown to their allotted places on the boat and very soon afterwards, everyone was established as comfortably as was possible on a troopship that was carrying surplus to normal capacity.
The ship did not sail that night and everyone spent a quiet and uneventful night.
2 LIR.
1500 Bttn move by march route to docks at Taranto.
1700 Bttn embarked on troopship Banfora.
18th July.
Brigade HQ – TARANTO.
1200 Convoy left Taranto. As we sailed away from the quay, the piper played on the Boat Deck. Land in sight all day.
1 RIrF.
1300 Sailed.
6 Innisks – AT SEA.
1000 The bttn, in conjunction with other units travelling on the same boat, was allotted AA gun duties.
1400 The ship sailed and joined the convoy, which kept within sight of land for the rest of the day as it sailed towards the toe of Italy.
1500 Personnel on the boat were shown to ‘Action Stations’ and ‘Boat Stations’. Great interest was shown in the Russian ex prisoners of war, who were travelling on the same boat and experiences were exchanged and also knowledge of home countries, through the aid of one or two interpreters.
The night was quiet and uneventful and a calm sea ensured that even the worst sailors had a restful night.
2 LIR.
1300 Convoy sailed
19th July.
Brigade HQ – AT SEA.
0800 Off Catania. Mount Etna sighted.
1315 Action Station Alarm. No contact with the enemy.
1600 Out of sight of land.
1 RIrF.
En route in convoy.
6 Innisks – AT SEA.
The weather was bright and warm and the sea very calm.
Early morning found the convoy steaming down the east coast of Sicily and the sight of Mt Etna brought back memories of hard fighting to many of the bttn.
1400 ‘Action Stations’ was sounded owing to an enemy reconnaissance plane which flew over the convoy.
No action resulted from this and the ‘All Clear’ was sounded soon afterwards.
The remainder of the day was quiet and uneventful and all ranks were enjoying the calm voyage, lying on the decks most of the time sunbathing.
2 LIR.
At sea.
20th July.
Brigade HQ – AT SEA.
1400 Land sighted. The shore of North Africa. A quiet day. A perfectly calm sea.
6 Innisks – AT SEA.
Weather still fine and warm.
1000 Ship rounds.
Usual routine was carried out during the day. In the evening, an impromptu concert was held by S Coy and the Russian troops on the S Coy deck. Russian and Irish songs were an unusual mixture but were enjoyed nevertheless by all present.
2 LIR.
At sea.
1100 CO’s lecture to all officers and NCOs on probable future moves.
21st July.
Brigade HQ – AT SEA.
This evening, a concert was arranged by the padre of 2 LIR and the pipers and singers in the Brigade entertained all personnel aboard HMT Banfora over the internal communication system.
6 Innisks – AT SEA.
Weather bright and warm with calm sea.
1000 Usual ship rounds.
After ship rounds, Lt Col Kerr gave a talk to officers and senior NCOs on the Middle East. This was a very interesting and enlightening talk and afterwards others, who had spent time in the Middle East were invited to talk on their experiences there.
1630 OC Troopship called a conference for all officers and informed them of embarkation on 22nd July.
The remainder of the day was uneventful.
In the evening, a concert was held and relayed over the ship’s microphone transmission.
2 LIR.
At sea.
22nd July.
Brigade HQ – EGYPT.
0800 Convoy arrived at Alexandria.
0900 Brigade Commander comes aboard, having flown from Bari to Cairo.
0930 Brigade commences to disembark in lighters. 6 Innisks first followed by Brigade HQ and 2 LIR. Pipe Band of 2 Innisks played the brigade ashore.
1030 6 Innisks, Brigade HQ and 2 LIR em-bused at the docks and proceeded to Amiriya Transit Camp and arrived there at 1230 hrs.
1 RIrF – PORT SAID.
1800 Docked.
6 Innisks – AT SEA.
Weather fine and warm.
0500 Reveille.
0800 The ship pulled into Alexandria harbour and all preparations were made for disembarkation.
0945 Personnel were taken ashore by lighter, landing at the dock at 1000 hrs. The Pipe Band of 2 Innisks played as the bttn came ashore and several officers and ORs of 2 Innisks were there to meet us.
1015 Bttn proceeded by MT to Amiriya Transit Camp about 9 miles south east of Alexandria, where a hot meal was prepared.
Lt Col J Kerr and the Orderly Room Clerk went to 2 Innisks to discuss further points on personnel to be retained when the 6th Bttn was disbanded.
A baggage party was left in Alexandria to collect the heavy baggage. The bttn was warned for an early move next morning so everyone settled down to sleep soon after dinner.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0900 Convoy arrives at Alexandria.
Bttn disembarks and moves by transport to 58th Transit Camp (Amiriya District), 15 miles from Alexandria. Bttn spends night in this camp.
23rd July.
Brigade HQ – AMIRIYIA.
0530 Brigade em-bused.
0630 Brigade convoy left Amiryia. Order of march – Brigade HQ, 6 Innisks, 2 LIR. Destination Qassassin.
1230 Lunch halt. Convoy passed over Delta Barrage, then ran parallel to Ishmalia Canal through Tel el Kebir to Qassassin.
Convoy arrives at Qassassin Camp.
1900 Brigade Group, including 1 RIrF, who landed at Port Said established at Qassassin Camp.
1 RIrF – QASSASSIN.
0630 Disembarked and proceeded by train.
1500 Arrived at Qassassin. Major Crehan and Captain Chambers S/O to No 1 General Hospital. Major N Chance rejoined unit.
6 Innisks – ALEXANDRIA.
Weather fine and warm.
0330 Reveille.
0345 – 0445 Breakfast. Considerable difficulty was found in getting everyone fed owing to the shortage of cookhouses.
0530 Bttn, along with the rest of 38 Brigade, em-bused.
0630 Convoy moved off and had an uneventful journey across the desert.
1230-1330 A halt was called and the cooks made tea. Haversack rations were eaten.
1810 Convoy arrived at Qassassin Camp where it was met by the advance party and personnel were guided to their tents.
As usual, the bttn did not take long to settle in and very soon everything was well established.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0500 Bttn em-bused for move to Qassassin Camp.
0630 Bttn moved.
1100 Halt for tea meal at Khatatea Refugee Camp area.
1800 Bttn arrive in Qassassin Camp
24th July.
Brigade HQ – QASSASSIN.
Day spent in cleaning and reorganising camp sites and areas. Admin Orders received concerning future leave. Four periods allotted each of five days allowing 25% of units to go on the one period. Leave is to Cairo, Alexandria or Ishmalia. Also 15% of unit strength allowed on day leave to these three places. Brigade Commander lays down training policy, which is to spend as much time on PT and drill during the early morning and then progressive talks or talks in the evening. Arrangements were also made for AEC lecturers to come and talk to units on various political and topical subjects. Welfare facilities for the men are excellent. There are plenty of NAAFIs, concerts and cinemas and they have set a high standard, which was very pleasing to see.
1 RIrF – QASSASSIN.
Light training. PT drilling etc. Adopted pre war routine.
6 Innisks – QASSASSIN.
Weather fine and warm.
0730 Reveille.
During the day, the btttn settled down to learning all over again the ways of peace time soldiering. Equipment was scrubbed etc, and soon long lists of ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts” were published and it soon became obvious that the complete freedom we had enjoyed in Italy would now be seriously curtailed. An Officers’ Mess and Sergeant’s Mess were started and in the ORs’ Dining Tents, plates were available, a much appreciated change after the long spell of feeding from mess tins.
0900 The first Regimental Quarter Guard was mounted.
1000 RMO started the first of a series of lectures to coys on VD and anti malarial precautions.
In the evening, the bttn was allotted 25 seats at the ENSA show of ‘Nomads of the Nile’ and the same allotment was to continue nightly until 29th July.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
1000 Brigadier visits Bttn HQ.
Arrangements being made for leave parties to Cairo, Alexandria and Ishmalia.
Transport drawn from BOD – 13 x 3 tonners, 28 x 15 cwts, 9 Jeeps and 3 Portees. Also five 6 pounder A/Tk guns.
25th July.
Brigade HQ – QASSASSIN.
General routine. Early morning parades and day leave parties. Brigade Commander now acting Divisional Commander, while Divisional Commander is away and the other Brigade Commander’s are on a course.
1 RIrF – QASSASSIN.
Five day leaves to Cairo, Alexandria and Ishmalia. Lieut Beamish rejoined bttn.
6 Innisks – QASSASSIN.
Weather very bright and warm.
0530 Reveille.
0630 First parade; parades were to continue until midday only.
The disbandment of the bttn on 10th August made a great deal of extra work for Bttn HQ, the personnel of the Bttn Orderly Room working until 0430 hrs on 26th July.
Leave for 6 days was to be arranged for the whole bttn on the basis of 25% at a time for 4 periods, to one of three locations – Cairo, Alexandria and Ishmalia, the first party leaving on 26th July.
Lt Col J Kerr returned from the 2nd Bttn, bringing with him Lt Col R Scott and reps from the 2nd Bttn in order that further conferences might be held with 6 Innisks coy commanders on the disbandment.
6 Innisks Leave Instruction No 1 issued.
A party went to the ENSA show ‘Nomads of the Nile’.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
1230 Balance of G1098 stores drawn from ADOS.
2300 Baggage party and baggage arrive from Alexandria.
26th July.
Brigade HQ – QASSASSIN.
Leave parties commence to Cairo, Alexandria and Ishmalia. 25% of unit strength to go at one time for a total period of five days. Day leave is permissible as well to all these three towns, but the majority of the men take advantage of the short distance to spend of their time in Ishmalia.
1 RIrF – QASSASSIN.
Light training and day leaves.
6 Innisks – QASSASSIN.
Weather was warm and bright.
0530 Leave party for Alexandria left camp for the em-busing point and were carried off on a RASC convoy.
0700 Leave party for Cairo left.
0830 Leave party for Ishmalia left.
1400 Lt Col J Kerr spoke to the bttn on the disbanding and introduced Lt Col R Scott as the CO of the 2nd Bttn.
Lt Col Scott expressed his sympathy at the disbandment and extended a hearty a hearty welcome to those people of the 6th, who would be joining the 2nd Bttn.
1430 Swimming parties were organised and taken to Ishmalia on unit transport. The usual party attended the ENSA show in the evening.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0515 Five day leave parties proceed to Cairo, Alexandria and Ishmalia.
0830 Parties proceed to Cairo and Ishmalia on day leave.
1100 Brigade visits Bttn HQ.
1800 Brigade HQ Guard of 2 NCOs and 18 men supplied by bttn.
27th July.
Brigade HQ – QASSASSIN.
0820 Brigade Commander Conference. Subject was the amalgamation of the 2nd and 6th Battalions of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
For the last three days, two Inniskillings’ COs had been drawing what was to form the nucleus of the new battalion and the Brigade Commander’s conference was held with the other two battalions’ COs present to discuss, who could go to the London Irish and the Irish Fusiliers out of the surplus made by the amalgamation of the 2nd and 6th Bttns, Inniskillings.
Day leave parties and training continue.
1 RIrF – QASSASSIN.
Continue.
6 Innisks – QASSASSIN.
Weather very warm and bright sunshine.
The day was very quiet with the normal parades in the morning and swimming parties in the afternoon.
1030 The bttn was visited by General Stone (CIC, ME).
A conference was held at Brigade HQ on the subject of the disbandment of 6 Innisks and arrangements were made to absorb as many of the personnel as possible into the other two bttns so that they would not have to leave the Irish Brigade.
The usual party went to the ENSA show in the evening.
Other troops visited the many cinemas and canteens in the area.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0830 Day leave parties to Cairo and Ishmalia.
1800 Warning Order for Advance party to be ready for move to new area.
28th July.
Brigade HQ – QASSASSIN.
0830 Brigade Commander Conference continues.
Early morning PT and training periods and day leave parties continue.
1 RIrF – QASSASSIN.
Brigade conference.
6 Innisks – QASSASSIN.
Weather very warm with bright sunshine.
The day was very quiet with the normal parades in the morning and swimming parties in the afternoon.
Notification was received that the whole of the brigade allotment for the next leave period would be given to 6 Innisks in order that everyone would get their leave before the disbandment.
6 Innisks Camp Standing Orders were issued to all concerned.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0830 Day leave parties for Cairo and Ishmalia
29th July.
Brigade HQ – QASSASSIN.
1400 Brigade Commander leaves for Cairo to visit GHQ Cairo. Certain problems to be discussed as the Brigade Commander is acting Divisional Commander. He is then going on to Sidi Bishr, just outside Alexandria, to see 2 Innisks.
1 RIrF – QASSASSIN.
Continue light training.
6 Innisks – QASSASSIN.
Weather very warm and bright.
Another quiet day with normal routine.
In the evening, a party from the Sergeants’ Mess went to Ishmalia to a dance. Instructions on the new leave policy (6 Innisks Leave Instruction No 2) were sent out and also a warning that personnel for Alexandria would leave tomorrow, 30th July, instead of on the 31st with the remainder. This was made necessary by the arrangements for this party to stay in Amiriya Transit Camp for the night 30th/31st July continuing to Alexandria early on the 31st.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0830 Day leave parties for Cairo and Ishmalia.
30th July.
Brigade HQ – QASSASSIN.
0600 Leave party to Alexandria depart. They leave a day early in order to spend one night at Amiriya Transit Camp and then onto Alexandria the next day. Early morning PT and training periods and day leave parties continue.
1 RIrF – QASSASSIN.
Received reinforcements.
6 Innisks – QASSASSIN.
Weather fine and warm.
0530 Leave party left for Alexandria.
The remainder of the bttn spent the day in packing up, paying out etc, and making all the necessary arrangements for leave.
Arrangements had been made with 2 LIR for them to supply a guard for the camp, as the first leave party were returning on the transport, which carried the second group to the leave towns. This meant that there would not be anybody in the camp except for the four officers and about six fusiliers, who did not wish to go leave.
1700 2 LIR Guard arrived and were shown to the Guard Room and posts by the RSM.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0700 Five day leave party to Alexandria and one day leave to Cairo.
0900 CE and RC church services.
31st July.
Brigade HQ – QASSASSIN.
0600 Leave parties to Cairo and Ishmalia depart.
All transport taking leave parties will bring back leave parties, whose leave has finished.
Early morning PT and training periods and day leave parties continue.
Farewell message received from Major General CF Keightley on his departure from the Division. He had gone to command 5 Corps.
6 Innisks – QASSASSIN.
Weather fine and warm.
0630 RASC transport for the leave party to Cairo arrived and the bttn, which was paraded on the Bttn Parade Ground, was embossed.
0700 Convoy left for Camp 16 Qassassin where it joined the main convoy to Cairo.
0800 Transport with the personnel for leave at Ishmalia left to join the main convoy to Ishmalia.
The rest of the day was very quiet with nobody in the camp except the 2 LIR guards. The officers had their meals at the Officers’ Club, which was not very far from the camp. In the evening, personnel from the leave party returned, but as these were comparatively few in number, the camp still retained its deserted appearance.
2 LIR – EGYPT.
0830 Day leave parties proceed for Cairo.