Happy New Year - A Fairey Battle and a Hurricane at the Reims Champagne Aerodrome

A Fairey Battle and a Hawker Hurricane at Reims Champagne Aerodrome in late 1939.

Royal Artillery Badges 1939/40

Some more of Frank's Royal Artillery badges.  I believe that the material badges were worn on the epulettes of the battledress jacket.

Gracie Fields at a Concert in Reims, November 1939

I found this photograph of Gracie Fileds at a concert in Reims in a book by Charles Gardner published in 1940.  In Frank's letter of 20 November 1939 he says:

"No, we were not present at the all-star concert but some of the chaps heard Gracie Fields on the radio.  Was that the same concert?"

Fairey "Snow" Battle - Winter 1939/40

Atmospheric picture of winter of a Fairey Battle on one of the AASF areodromes in the Reims area of France in 1939/40.

Special Order of the Day - Xmas Day 1939

Happy Christmas! Here is the Special Order of the Day issued on 25 December 1939 to the Regiment with the Christmas message from Lietenant Colonel V R Krohn MC RA, the commanding officer of the 53rd Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment. It sheds some light on to the make up of the Territorial Regiment.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE THE DAY

XMAS DAY - 1939

CHRISTMAS 1939, will long be remembered by the members of the 53rd (City of London) Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A. as the first they have spent Overseas on Active Service.

To many of you it is probably the first that you have ever spent away from your homes and families, and this may seem to be special hardship.

Your consolation lies in the fact that ours is one of the First Territorial Units to be sent Overseas, and in being thus selected we have been greatly honoured.

We have done, are doing, and shall continue to do our allotted task to the best of our ability. Whether it is being well done or not is for others to say.

For my part I want to take this opportunity to express to you all my very great appreciation of the whole hearted support you have always given to me.

There may be trying times ahead for all of us, but I am completely confident that we shall meet these with the same spirit which has enabled us to surmount the lesser difficulties of the past.

I cannot close this message without expressing to those of you who were Militiamen our special appreciation of the way you have absorbed the spirit of the Regiment. The first time I spoke to you I told you that you were to consider yourselves as full members of the 53rd A.A. Regiment, and not as being apart. That you have taken me at my word is gratifyingly apparent, and we older members of the Regiment are proud to have you with us.

I wish you all, Officers, Warrant Officers, N.C.O.'s and Men a HAPPY CHRISTMAS, and may we all look forward to a speedy return home.

Liet. Colonel R.A.
Commanding
53rd H.A.A. Regt. R.A.

B.E.F.
25/12/39

The King's Message to the Empire (Broadcast Christmas Day, 1939)

This is the message broadcast to the Empire by King George VI on Christmas Day 1939 and makes a fascinating read for us sitting here and looking back 75 years later knowing what happened.  In 1939 the expectation was not that France would fall within 6 weeks and that the BEF would be lucky to get out through Dunkirk.  At Christmas 1939, the pictures and words published about the BEF show that another  attritional trench war was expected and that the Germans would not be strong enough to beat the Allies.  

1939 ends on a positive note; how different it would all be by Christmas 1940.

The festival which we know as Christmas is above all the festival of peace and of the home.  Among all free peoples the love of peace is profound for this alone gives security to the home.

But true peace is in the hearts of men, and it is the tragedy of this time that there are powerful countries whose whole direction and policy are based on aggression and the suppression of all that we hold dear for mankind.

It is this that has stirred our peoples and given them a unity unknown in any previous war.  We feel in our hearts that we are fighting against wickedness, and this conviction will give us strength from day to day to preserve until victory is assured.

At home we are, as it were, taking the strain for what may lie ahead of us, resolved and confident.  We look with pride and thankfulness on the never-failing courage and devotion of the Royal Navy upon which, throughout the last four months, has burst the storm of ruthless and unceasing war.

And when I speak of our Navy today, I mean all the men of our Empire who go down to the sea in ships, the Mercantile Marine, the minesweepers, the trawlers and drifters from the senior officers to the last boywho has joined up.  To every one in this great fleet I send a message of gratitude and greetings, from myself as from all my peoples.

The same message I send to the gallant Air Force which in co-operation with the Navy is our sure shield of defence.  They are daily adding laurels to those that their fathers won.

I would spend a special word of greeting to the armies of the Empire, to those who have come from afar, and in particular to the British Expeditionary Force.

Their task is hard.  They are waiting, and waiting is a trial of nerve and discipline.  But I know that when the moment comes for action they will prove themselves worthy of the highest traditions of their great Service.

And to all who are preparing themselves to serve their country, on sea or land or in the air, I send my greeting at this time.  The men and women of our far flung Empire, working in their several vocations, with the one same purpose, all are members of the great family of nations which is prepared to sacrifice everything that freedom of spirit may be saved to the world.

A new year is at hand.  We cannot tell what it will bring.  If it brings peace, how thankful we shall all be.  If it brings us continued struggle we shall remain undaunted.

In the meantime, I feel that we may all find a message of encouragement in the lines which, in my closing words, I would like to say to you.

"I said to the man who stood in the gate of the year: 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.'

"And he replied. 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way."

May that Almighty hand guide and uphold us all.

The quote at the end is from"The Desert" by Miss M L Haskins.

Christmas Message from Viscount Gort VC, C-in-C BEF

From Viscount Gort, VC, Commander-in-Cheif of the British Field Force

Once more within the memory of many of us a British Expeditionary Force is spending Christmas in France, and once again, under the leadership of a great soldier of France, the Allied Armies stand united to resist aggression.

In the year that lies ahead difficulties and dangers will undoubtedly arise, as they have done in the wars of the past, but they will be surmounted owing, on the one hand, to the close understanding which today exists between the French nation and ourselves and, on the other hand, to the knowledge that your thoughts are with us at all times whether the weather be fair or foul.

In whatever part of the Empire you may dwell,  I extend to you all cordial good wishes for Christmas and the New Year. 

December 23 1939

Daily Life in the RAF at a British Aerodrome on the Western Front

I found these photographs in a copy of the War Illustrated magazine published in January 1940.  They show a rare glimpse of life on the aerodromes occupied by the AASF and defended by the guns of the 157th Battery in the Champagne Region of France.  Although not possible to idnetify the location it may be Auberive or Juvigny.

A Fairey Battle Bomber is parked in the open.  The snow forms a natural camouflage, but the Royal Air Force has also used special camouflage for autumn and for winter when trees are bare.

Close up of the Fairey Battle in its dispersal site on an aerodrome on the Western Front.

After a cup of tea may come an impromptu sing-song such as these men are enjoying.  The word "hot" is painted on the stove as kindly advice to visitors to keep their hands off.

These men in their quarters at a British aerodrome in France are upholding the belief that the English are a nation of tea drinkers.  Besides the boiling kettle the teapot and the tin mugs being always in request, innumerable cups of tea are supplied at the many NAAFI canteens in France.

The tea being welcomed in the photograph above is being carried up from a dug out.

The Ack Acks - A Frivolous Diversity Christmas 1939

Here is the programme for the Battery's Christmas show which was presented by the "kind permission of Major J A Chivers MM RA.  It started at 19.30 hours but unfortunately is undated and not referred to in any of Frank's letters.  One can just imagine the scene as the Ack Acks put on their best variety show "somewhere in |France"!

Best Wishes for Christmas 1939

The BEF received Christmas greetings from the King and Queen, reminiscent of how the Royal Family supported the first BEF in 1914, although there was no gift in 1939.  I don't think that the sending of such cards continued throughout the war.

This is Frank's Royal Artillery cap badge which was in France with him in 1939/40.  It can also be seen on the pictures of Frank in the Picasa web album a year before war broke out.  The wheel on the gun turns smoothly still.

Every Man May Reach a Star

The final part of the secretary for War's speech, predicting a conflict of 3 years and seemingly one similar to the First World War.  Although victory is predicted at the end of the speech the route to that victory was not the one foreseen in 1939.

The look-out for talent is continuous, and all commanding officers are instructed to search for it.  In this Army the star is within every private soldier's reach.  No one, however humble or exalted his birth, need be afraid that his military virtues will remain unrecognised.

More important, no one who wishes to serve in the Army need consider his status minimized by starting at the bottom of the ladder.  From the ranks we shall mainly derive our junior officers.

For officers in the middle piece and for specialists we have our sources open to us.  We have the Regular Army Reserve.  We have the Territorial Reserve of Officers, and we also have the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve...

It will be unnecessary  to remind the House that it is of the essence of reserves that they re not all used up at once and upon the assumption that this will be a three years' war, many of those with suitable qualifications will in due course have their opportunity.

The splendid women of the ATS, already 20,000 strong, are about to extend their service in replacement of their brothers in arms.

Further openings for the older men will be given in two new directions .... Home Defence Battalions ... and an Auxiliary Pioneer Corps which will take over military pioneer work, both overseas and here.

Pari passu with this pressure upon us to take men in the Army is a pressure in the reverse direction.  We have tried to deal liberally with industry, whose needs we fully recognise just as industry will recognise that an army is a skilled profession and must also, for the safety of the country, have men of specialised knowledge.

Soldiers Back to Industry

We have temporarily released about 10,000 Regular Reservists, and will have shortly in addition have released 12,000 Territorials either temporarily or permanently.  In so far as these releases are helping to accelerate and enlarge the output of our war industries, the loss will have been repaid to us.

Any words of mine that can stimulate and electrify these industies of this country which ar engaged on the output of munitions to out their last ounce into the task of meeting the needs of those in the field and of hastening the day when others can join them will, I am sure, be endorsed by the Minister of Supply.  It is the output of factories making equipment and munitions for the field which will be the ultimate measure of our effort.

It will tell the House what is being done by and for the Army to train as many men as possible o become technicians, and thereby to spare industry the ful drain which would otherwise be made upon it.  The Army is training such men itself.  The Minister of Labour has plans in mind for enabling some of his training establishments to assist in the provision of Army requirements of skilled tradesmen.  With the help of the Minister of Education we hope to use polytechnics, technical schools, and Universities for the same purpose.

Industry will doubtless in its own way be making provision to augment its resources of skilled personnel.  We can look with confidence to these developments.

In 1914 appeals were made for recruits who had neither clothing, nor equipment, nor instructions, nor accommodation, and men were taken regardless of their civilian occupations.  The feat of the first months of the last war we had already achieved in the months of peace preceding this war, and experience had taught us to avoid many of the errors of the last occasion.

Thus at the beginning of September we had in being an Army which was daily acquiring new strength, better cohesion, and greater efficiency.

It has been a privilege to speak of it today and to reveal that while the world was reading of the German advances into Poland British soldiers, resolved to rectify this wrong, were passing silently and in unceasing sequence across the Channel to France.  There we may think of them in positions along a countryside whose towns, whose villages, and whose rivers are familiar to them by memory or by tradition as their own.

How strange it is that twice in a generation men should take this journey and that sons should be treading again upon soil made sacred by their fathers.

They are grumbling about the same things, mispronouncing the same names, making similar jokes and singing songs which seem an echo over the intervening years.  And we may rest assured that they will acquit themselves with the same tenacity, courage and endurance.  However long the struggle and however great the ordeal, they will, as our soldiers did before, take our arms and our cause of freedom to victory.

Problems of 1914 and 1939 Compared

In this section of hi speech Hore-Belisha makes an interesting comparison between the preparedness of the Army in 1914 and the Army in 1939.  He also mentions the Territorial Army of which Frank's Battery was a part.

None of problems existed, excepts in embryo, in 1914.  It was a light army that travelled then.  Nearly 60% of the fighting troops in 1914 were infanrtymen, relying on their rifles and bayonets and two machine guns per battalion.  Now only 20% of the fighting troops are infantrymen, with 50 Bren guns, 22 anti-tank rifles, and other weapons as well, with each battalion.

It will be seen by this one example how much more effectively armed with fire power is the present Expeditionary Force.

There is however, one respect in which our Army has not altered; its relations with our Allies, who have welcomed the men so generously, are as good humoured.  The catchwords of the soldiers are as amusing......

To all those who have co-operated in this military movement, to the various Government departments both in this country and in France, the gratitude of this nation is due.  Especially, however, should the achievement be recorded as evidence that the maritime might of Britain is unimpaired.  The Navy has not lost its secret, and the Air Force had held its protecting wings over another element of danger.

It is not only to France that British soldiers have been transported.  The Middle East has been strongly reinforced, and also our garrisons elsewhere, both in material and in men.

One part of our Army, however, remains stationary in this country, waiting and watching in little groups.  In isolated stations the Anti-Aircraft Units have been on guard since before this war begun, and that their vigilance is not forgotten, under-estimated or unrecognised by this country and by this House must be their great encouragement.

We have a numerous Army.  In that respect we are at the outset of hostilities better situated than we were in 1914.

We had in peacetime taken a precaution, for which we must now be thankful, of instituting a system of universal military training, and thus the even flow of recruits became as well assured to us as to the Continental countries.  We had the foundation on which, after the declaration of war, we could build an even more comprehensive system and we passed the National Service Act, placing under an obligation to serve all male British citizens resident in Great Britain between the ages of 18 and 41.

In peacetime also we had doubled the Territorial Field Army in this country alone, including the Reservists and the Militia, the best part of 1,000,000 men on whom we could call at the outbreak of war.

Never had the total of our armed forces in the United Kingdom approached anywhere near such a total in the time of peace.

When I first introduced Army Estimates to the House in March 1938 we were preparing out of our strategic reserve five divisions - none of them upon a Continental scale.

Subsequently the European tension increased, and in April the plan for 19 divisions became one of 32.  This will not be the limit of our effort.

It is plain that great calls will be made upon our man-power.  How do we intend to proceed?

In the first place we have the method of calling up classes.  His Majesty has already proclaimed the classes between 20 and 22.

Those within the classes proclaimed are being called up in batches, and with each batch we are taking an additional quota of volunteers.  Any man desirious of being a volunteer in the Army, and being above the age of the class called up, may register his name at either a recruiting station or a Ministry of Labour office and he will be treated in exactly the same way as the classes proclaimed....

There is even greater inducement now than in previous wars to join the Army in the way described.  Apart from specialist appointments, virtually all commissions will be given from the ranks.  It must be remembered that the nation is in arms and there is no dearth of ability in the ranks.  On of the best men who has reached the top for the leader's course on the way to a commission is a labourer's son.

"The Brains Behind the Move"

Hore-Belisha's speech continued to describe theorganisation required to transport the BEF to France with some interesting comparisons with 1914.

It was a small body of specially selected officers in the War Office who, with seven confidential clerks and typists, secretly worked out every detail of the plan for moving the Army and the Royal Air Force to France. They foresaw and provided for every need: the selection of ports and docks, of roads and railways, of accommodation of all types, of rest camps and depots, of hospitals and repair shops, at every stage on both sides of the Channel. Their ingenuity, their precision and their patience would have baffled Bradshaw....

The Expeditionary Force has been transported to France intact without a casualty to any of its personnel.

May I describe to the House some aspects in which the task on this occasion has differed from that of 1914, although , as one watches the process, continuing with the smoothness of a machine, one finds it hard to believe that there has been a break of 25 years in the passage of these two armies?

Then the men marched on to the ships, the horses were led, and a light derrick could lift what the soldier could not carry. In those days there were only 800 mechanised vehicles in all, and it was a rare load that exceeded two tons.

We have already on this occasion transported to France more than 25,000 vehicles including tanks, some of them of enormous dimensions and weighing 15 tons apiece or more.

Normal shore cranes could not raise them, special ships were required to carry them and highly trained stevedores to manipulate them. Consequently, as contrasted with 1914, where ordinary vessels took men and their material together from the usual ports, in this case the men travelled separately and the heavier mechanisms had to be transported from more distant ports, where special facilities were available. The arrangements for the reunion of the troops with their material om the other side made an additional complication.

Similarly, and for other reasons also, more remote landing places had to be selcted in France, thus making the voyages much longer.

Again internally, and as a precaution against air attack, more devious internal routes were taken than in 1914. Vehicles and men were dispersed in small groups, halted in concealed areas by day and moved onwards by night.

As with transport, so with maintenance, the problem has become greater than it was a generation ago.

Every horse eats the same food and can continue, like man, to move though hungry. Vehicles come to a standstill when their tanks are empty. There re in France 50 types of vehicle, and most of them require a different grade of fuel and lubricant. Great reserves have had to be conveyed and stored...

How the New BEF Went to France - The War Illustrated 4 November 1939

This is an extract taken from a speech given by Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha, Secretary for War, in the House of Commons on 11 October 1939 and describes how the BEF was transported to France in September and October 1939.  The optimism of the speech makes it clear that the defeat of Frnace in June 1940 was not even considered a possibility.  This is a fascinating read 25 years on from the despatch of the first BEF in 1914.

I will publish further extracts from this speech over the next week.

Within six weeks of the outbreak of war in 1914 we had transported to France 148,000 men. Within 5 weeks of the outbreak of this war we had transported to France 158,000 men.

During this period we have also created our base and lines of communication organisation, so as to assure the regular flow of supplies ans munitions of every kind and to receive further contingents as and when we may decide to send them. The major operation is thus over, and it is possible to speak to the House with frankness. I wish it had been prudent to do so previously.

Night by night at the War Office we have waited for tidings of the arrival of the convoys. These have averaged three every night. It would have been encouraging to have shared at every stage the news as we received it with the nation so uncertain of what was transpiring and so naturally eager for reports about its Army.

The Press, like Parliament, willingly observed a reticence which in itself was a safeguard for out contingents. There is no need for further silence, and a body of war correspondents has just arrived in France with the object of keeping us all informed of day to day impressions and happenings.

24 November 1939 - Letter to Frank's sister Edie

Click on the link below to see Frank's letter written on this day in 1939, 75 years ago today.

http://deardad-lettershome.blogspot.co.uk/2009_11_01_archive.html

Survey of the Siegried Line

The Battery diary records the following:

22 to 27 November 1939 - Consolidation of positions - All guns ready for action.

The War Illustrated continued to give an upbeat assessment of the actions of the British Foces in France, cluding the RAF, which belies what was to happen in May 1940.  It says:

"A complete photographic map of the Siegried Line has been made.  Many photographs taken from only a few hundred feet above the Line, go to the composition this map.  A few days ago our aircraft, taking off from an aerodrome in France, covered the whole length of Germany from the Saar to the North Sea, flew on to Heligoland, all without serious interruptions, and then made safe landings home in England.  All accounts speak highly of the navigating skill of the pilots and crews as of their determinatioon."

The airfields defended by the 157th HAA Battery were behind the Siegfried Line and so it can be concluded that these palnes would have taken off from the airfields in the Reims / Epernay region.

Fairey Battles on an AASF Airfield on the Western Front - Autumn 1939

I found these photographs of Fairey Battles dispersed on an airfield on the Western Front in autumn 1939 in The War Illustrated, 4 November 1939.  Although the airfield is not identified, the pictures will have been taken on one of the AASF airfields that the 53rd HAA Regiment were tasked with defending.  Perhaps it is an airfield that the 157th HAA Battery was defending and although I will never know, there is a good chance, as the Battles were based at the airfields where their guns were dug in.

"Brushwood is extensively used for camouflage purposes at the aerodrome on the Western Front. Above can be seen the way in which a screen is built up in front of the machine when it has finished its day's work."

"The round photograph gives a close-up view of the zigzag steel network which is laid on the runways of an aerodrome.  its purposes is to prevent the wheels sinking into the mud when the machine is taking off.  Grass is allowed to grow over it so that it cannot be detected from the air. The main picture shows an example of complete camouflage. An aeroplane has its tail in a copse, and brushwood has been placed in front of it."

Letter Home - 20 November 1939

Click on the link to see Frank's letter from 75 years ago today:

http://deardad-lettershome.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=34

8 November 1939

Click on the link below to see Frank's letter from 8 November 1939

3 - 10 November 1939

The entry for the 157th HAA Battery Diary is the same between 3 and 10 November 1939.  It records the following:

3-10/11/1939

0800 Consolidation of positions - All guns ready for action.

Life in Villers-Marmery at the Battery HQ - 2 November 1939

Click on the link below to see Frank's letter of 2 November 1939.


The Battery Diary for 2 November 1939 said the following:

2/11/1939
0800 JUVINGY 3 guns ready for action.  Ammunition on site 400 rounds HE, 50 shrapnel.

AUBERIVE 4 guns ready for action.  Ammunition on site 400 rounds HE, 50 shrapnel.

1800 JUVIGNY - 4 guns ready for action.
AUBERIVE - 4 guns ready for action.
Digging in and preparations of positions continues.

1 November 1939 - Postal Orderly Appointed

The Battery Diary records the following for 1 November 1939:

Villers-Marmery

1/11/1939 0800 JUVIGNY 3 guns ready for action.  Ammunition on site 400 rounds HE, 50 shrapnel.

AUBERIVE 4 guns ready for action.  Ammunition on site 400 rounds HE, 50 shrapnel.

Straw shelters being erected as temporary shelters for the manning section pending completion of dug outs etc.

Also on this day frank was issued with a formal authority to act as Postal Orderly for the 157th HAA Battery.  The document, signed by the Commanding Officer of the Battery, Major Jim Chivers RA said:

To whom it may concern. The bearer of this authority No. 881937 Gunner Faulkner F. A. is authoried to collect mail and generally to fulfill the duties of Postal Orderly for this Battery.

31 October 1939

The Battery Diary reports the following:

31/10/1939

0800 Preparations of positions continued.

1800 JUVIGNY - 3 guns ready for action.  Ammunition on site 600 rounds HE. 144 rounds shrapnel.

AUBERIVE - 1 gun ready for action.  Ammunition on site 400 rounds HE. 96 rounds shrapnel.

30 October 1939

The 157th HAA Battery diary records the following for 30 October 1939:

Villers-Marmery 30/10/1939

0800 Preparation of site at JUVIGNY continued.  Right Half Battery complete with guns, stores etc moved from billets in EPERNAY to billets inVAUDESIMCOURT.  First convoy left EPERNAY 0900 hours arrived VAUDESIMCOURT 1115 hrs.  Second convoy arrived VAUDESIMCOURT 1145 hrs.

1300 Four guns on site at AUBERIVE Map ref. T59 74.  Preparatioon of position in progress.  Ammunition on site 200 rounds HE 48 rounds shrapnel.  Two guns ready for action at JUVIGNY (as above for ammunition).

The diary of the Headquarters of 12th Anit Aircraft Brigade recorded the following for the days 25 to 31 October 1939:

Wet weather and lack of towing vehicles slowed preparation particularly in 53rd area.  Not ready until 1/11/39.

The 53rd HAA Regiment formed part of the 12th AA Brigade.

29 October 1939

The entry in the Battery Diary for 29 October 1939 is as follows:

Villers-Marmery 29/10/1939 0800 Preparing of site at JUVIGNY for guns.  Map ret. T46 53.  More orders for Right Half Battery issued.  Move to commence 0900 hours 30/10/39.

I have never been able to find the map that matches these map references so if anyone know, please let me know.

Click below for link to letter of 28 October 1939

Link to letter of 28 October 1939

28 October 1939

Frank finished the letter he started on 27 October 1939 on 28 October 1939.  he provides some insights in to daily life and work in France for a British soldier in 1939.  I posted his letter on my blog in 2009 so scroll down to find it.

The 157th HAA Battery Diary records the following:

Villers-Marmery 28/10/1939 0800 Position at AIGNY abandoned and position at JUVIGNY which is east of V.P. in course of preparation.  Billets in VAUDESINCOURT inspected and arrangements made to take them over from French Air Force a.m. 30/10/39 - Billets here very good - Billets in AIGNY empty houses and barns - fair.  Impossible to move to billets in JUVIGNY as whole village occupied by French troops.

The 53rd HAA Regiment was well away from the rest of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) which was further north in France.  The Regiment was assigned to protect the airfields of the Advanced Air Striking Force which were located around Reims, hence they had greater interaction with French soldiers.

27 October 1939 - Frank writes home

On the day that Frank starts a letter home, the Battery Diary records the following:

27/10/1939 0800 DISPOSITION OF BATTERY - unchanged.  Fresh positions at JUVINGY and AUBERIVE reconnoitered and selected by Battery Commander.

Read Frank's letter which I posted on the blog in 2009.  Follow the links on the left hand side of the page.

26 October 1939

Battery Diary entry for 26 October 1939:

26/10/1939 0800 DISPOSITION OF BATTERY - unchanged.  Preparation of position commenced at AIGNY.

Cooking Utensils for the Battery Left in the UK

The Battery HQ is now based in Villers-Marmery and so that is where the Battery diary is written.  The entry for 25 October 1939 gives the details of the Battery disposition around the various airfields used by the AASF.  I have been to each of these villages and there is no sign of the presence of airfields which must have been basic and temporary and as their name suggests, used grass run ways in fields.

Villers-Marmery 25/10/1939 0800 DISPOSITION OF BATTERY - four guns on site AIGNY - One troop in billets in AIGNY - One troop in billets in EPERNAY.  B>H>Q> in VILLERS-MARMERY.  It is palced on record that the Battery was ordered to leave all stores behind when leaving BRAMLEY consequently throughout the period 8/10/39 to date no cooking utnesils have been in the possession of the Battery resulting in inadequate feeding of the men.  Cooking utensils are still not available.  Cooking arrangements "en route" have been difficult and on many occasions NIL.  There have been no complaints as troops have been able to supplement rations at their own expense.

Battery HQ Deployed to Villers-Marmery

The Battery Diary records the following for 24 October 1939:

24/10/1939 0900 Four guns deployed to AIGNY

1300 One troop couple to be deployed to AIGNY - placed in billets.  Battery H.Q. deployed to VILLERS-MARMERY

The diary entry confirms that after 2 days in Epernay Frank, who was part of the Battery HQ moved to the village Villers-Marmery.

Epernay, France

Frank's letter of 23 October 1939 was written in billets in Epernay.  The letter was censored but the Battery diary identified the location.

Epernay 23/10/1939 0800 All ranks in billets in EPERNAY - positions reconnoitered by O.C. Billeting arranged at AIGNY.

The 157th HAA Battery arrives in Epernay

The Battery diary entry for 22 October 1939 says:

22/10/1939

0800 Personnel Party still on train.

1730 Main Body arrived EPERNAY - taken to billets. Mao PARIS - REIMS SHEET No.8.

The Battery Take the Slow Train to Epernay

Battery diary of the 157th HAA Battery records the following for 21 October 1939:

21/10/1939 0800 Remainder of the Battery personnel moved to Gare Maritime Station to entrain and join vehicle party.

From what I can tell from the letters from Frank he was on this train as his letter of 23 October 1939 refers to spending the night on the train and the Battery arrived in Epernay on 22 October 1939.

The move out starts.

The 157th HAA Battery records the following for 20 October 1939:

20/10/1939 0600 Vehicle train with guns, loaded at Hamet Station, moved off at 1256hrs. drivers and personnel totaling O.C. 3 officers and 175 O/Rs moved on this train.

Not sure where Hamet Station is, so if you do, please can you let me know?

19 October 1939

The Battery diary records:

19/10/1939 0800 Battery still in rest billets preparing to move guns and transport.

Frank also wrote a letter on this day which can be found in the blog.

Preparing to Move Out

The 157th Battery records the following:

18/10/1939 0800 Battery still in rest billets.
                   1400 Billeting party - one officer with driver and one man - sent forward.

The 53rd HAA regiment records the following:

Adjutant of 53rd Regiment with one officer from each Battery (157 - 158 - 159) and 7 O/Rs leave at 1415 to report at A.A.S.F. HQ at Reims driving in 4 cars.  Weather still cold and showery.
Transport ready to be loaded on Transport train.

The AASF is the Advanced Air Striking Force which was based in the Champagne Region of France.  The 53rd HAA was the anti aircraft protection for the airfields.

The 157th HAA Battery Diary reports:

17/10/1939 0800 Battery in rest billets.  Regimental transport and guns in process of being unloaded from ship at Gare Maritime Quay, Cherbourg.

The 53rd HAA Regimental Diary reports:

17/10/1939 Unloading of Transport Vehicles from "Achilles" commences in charge of advance party and 2 Officers.  Vehicles to be lined up on Car Park near the docks and guard mounted.  Weather cold and inclined to rain.  Wind E.

The Battery Arrives in France

Battery Diary entry for 16 October 1939 announces the arrival of the Battery in France.  Sideville, where they are billeted, is just south of Cherbourg.

1030 Main Body disembarked at Cherbourg and joined on the quay by Advance Party.

1500 Complete Battery less unloading parties fro transport, guns etc. marched to occupy billets in Sideville district.

3 September 1939 - Britain declares war on Germany

On the day that Britain declared war on Germany, 3 September 1939, Frank's letter is taken up with fairly mundane domestic issues and details of travel to Bramley in Hampshire.  It does feel incredible to be able hold and read a letter written on such an auspicious day.

Gnr. Faulkner F.A.

157th Battery R.A. (T)

War Dept. Building No.28

White City Road

W12

3/9/39

Dear Dad,

Have been trying to find an opportunity to write you since I arrived here but have not had a chance.  Even now time is limited so if I finish abruptly you'll know I have been called away on some job.

I received your card this afternoon.  It was brought down by some of the A.T.S. girls who I believe are just reporting for duty.

We left G. Park yesterday morning (Saturday) about 11.30am.  The others left earlier but I was one of the last to leave so it seems you just missed me.  What a shame after you had gone to the trouble and inconvenience of travelling to Gunnersbury.

Well, I am now near Bramley, a few miles from Basingstoke.  Actually the nearest village is a place called Sherfield but at present you must address correspondence though the White City.  Apparently this is Crown Land and is normally guarded by regulars who, I understand have been moved to Aldershot.  It is difficult to say how long we shall be here but the general feeling is that our next move, when it comes, will be abroad.

I hope you got my telephone message which I gave to Mrs Martin on the way down here.  I traveled on a civilian lorry with office equipment and following another one similarly loaded.  We stopped at a pub about 1 o'clock for cheese and beer and it was from there that I rang you.  I don't know the name of the place but it was about 10 miles from Hook.

Edie must feel fed up being away from home.  I hope she will stick it out though because it is safer for her.  It seems ages since I saw her and Anne.  Now that I'm so far away I suppose there will not be much chance.

I'm sorry you are getting so much hard work with B. Scty and Lodge work.  I can only thank you for doing the former and would ask you to expalin my absence from the latter.  I really have not the time to write a separate letter on that subject.

Apart from a violent storm last night the weather has been grand and we are not at all badly siuated here in a field under canvas.  It meant a lot of work yesterday, though, putting up the tents for H.Q. staff.

Must finish.  Pass my news on to Edie and Ernie.  Fond love to all.

Frank

"So the balloon has gone up at last"

Frank wrote this letter on the day that Germany invaded Poland and triggered the start of the Second World War.  His hope that war could be avoided must have been based on his experience the previous summer (1938) when he was called up during the Czech Crisis and then stood down when a peace agreement was reached.  His matter of fact comment "so that's that" probably reflects his generation's feeling of the inevitability of war following the 1914-18 conflict and the rise of fascism in Europe during the 1930s.

Frank wrote to Edie (Edith, his sister, my Grandma) who had left London as war became imminent and was in Kidderminister with Anne (her daughter, my mother).

Gunr. Faulkner F. A.

157th A.A Battery R.A. (T)

War Dept. Building No. 28

White City Road

W12

1/9/39

Dear Dad,

Thought I would drop you a short note in case we are moved from here before you arrive this-evening.

So the balloon has gone up at last.  I felt all along that war would be avoided but it has happened so that's that.  We have started packing some of our equipment in readiness for another move.  The Sergeant Major told me confidentially that it may be to a place near Guildford but I have also heard from another source that the 281st A.A. Batty. are moving there tonight so it seems there may be some confusion.  The 281st are a new Battery formed from the overflow of recruits from 157th Battery and have their H.Q. in the same school as us.

It's most probable I shall see you this-evening but thought a note from me would reassure you in case not.

Wrote a long letter to Edie last night - 6 pages.

How did you get on with your "Signals" job?

Trust you and Ernie are well.

Love,

Frank

With the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the World War 2 approaching here is the first letter  Frank sent to his father after being called up on 23 August 1939.  I found this letter along with 2 others in another box of papers since posting the other letters 5 years ago.  His war started in a school in Gunnersbury Park, West London in some comfort, belying what was to come for Frank over the next 6 years.  Nice to see a mention of Woolworth!

26/8/39

Dear Dad,

Am now at Lionel Road School, Gunnersbury Park.  Very comfortable and food excellent.

If you get an opportunity of looking me up I should be very glad to see you (or Edie, Ernie & Anne) but in any case letters must go through White City address as before.

I got your Cleave letter yesterday evening and although it was late it was welcome - it seemed such ages since I heard from anyone but, of course, it really isn't as it was just a week ago I was at 37.

Could you please let me have clean army shirt, socks ( 2 pairs), pants, vest and drying-up cloth which I put in laundry bag last week.  Would also like writing pad and envelopes (in one cover) from Woolworths if it is no trouble.

Will try and phone you Monday morning unless I hear from or see you meantime.

Love to all,

Frank

Telegram dated 13 June 1940 from Frank sent from Finsbury announced his return home in seven word:

FAULKNER 106  WILLIFIELD WAY NW11 =

ARRIVED LONDON SHORT LEAVE TOMORROW LOVE = FRANK

The 157th Unit diary read:

0130  Arrived Euston.  Tea and refreshments for all personnel.

0400  Arrived Finsbury Park Gun Site.

1100  Instructions received for 50% of personnel to proceed on 48 hours leave remainder to have similar leave as from 14/7/40.  Under command of 49th AA Bde.

On 12 July 1940, Frank, together with the rest of the 157th HAA Battery made it back to England having embarked for France from Southampton almost 8 months previously on 15 October 1939.  The Battery moored alongside the Princes Landing Stage in Liverpool at 1800 hrs.

Frank wrote immediately using a postcard showing a picture of the SS City Cairo which he had just disembarked from.

12/7/40

Dear All,

Arrived at L'pool by boat this evening quite safe and sound.  Believe coming to London almost immediately but not sure about leave just yet.  Hope you are all safe and sound.  Fondest love to all and xxxxxxx for Anne.

Frank

The 157th HAA Battery Unit Diary entry for 12 Jul;y 1940 reads:

0800   At sea - convoy now 23 ships and one destroyer.

1030   O.C. troops inspection of Personnel and ships etc.

1800   Arrived Liverpool.

2100   Left Liverpool for London.

The 53rd HAA Regimental Diary entry for 12 July 1940 reads:

            15m off Welsh coast.

            Voyage 1556 miles.

1800   Moored at PRINCES LANDING STAGE, LIVERPOOL.

Diary entry 11 July 1940:

Two (Avro) Ansons seen. 181 miles.  ETA Liverpool 12/7/40 1400 hrs.

England is closer as the Bishop Rock light is sighted.  Bishop Rock Lighthouse stands on a rock ledge 46m long by 16m wide, 4 miles west of the Scilly Isles.  

The diary entry for 10 July 1940 reads:

0030 hours - BISHOP ROCK LIGHT sighted.  Short Sunderland circled boat.  172 miles.

53rd HAA Regimental Diary for 9 July 1940 recorded the following:

Court Martial of two members of 162 LAA (Light Anti Aircraft) Baty - under Section 9 (2) of Army Act. Two Sergts. reduced to ranks. 201 miles.

The 157th HAA Battery had Rifle Drill at 13.30 hours.

On 7 and 8 July 1940 the convoy traveled 134 miles and 130 miles respectively.  On 7 July the seas were moderate but a heavy swell is recorded on 8 July 1940.

The convoy travelled another 130 miles today 6 July 1940 in "moderate seas".  The 157th HAA Battery had tea served at 17.45 hours that day and sat down to a summary of the days news as shown below.  Of particular interest is the mention of Hitler's triumphant return to Berlin to celebrate the fall of France; a hint of Roman triumphs held in Rome two centuries before?

PRECIS OF ENGLISH NEWS BROADCAST 6th JULY, 1940.

            The official French and German News Agency to-day announced the loss of two more French Warships. One warship was sunk off the Isle of Crete. This warship was on way back to French Port when met by a British ship. She refused surrender, and was sunk after a two hour battle. The second is a 2000 ton escort vessel, which was torpedoed by an unknown submarine outside Algiers.

            There is surprise in London at the reports from Washington that the Isle of Martinique is being blockaded by the Royal Navy. It is announced that the Royal Navy's idea was to prevent a consignment of aircraft purchased by France from falling into enemy hands.

            There is no news in London from the French Embassy about the decision of the Petain Government to break off diplomatic negotiations with Great Britain. The British view is that the Petain Government is now nothing but a tool of the Nazi Government in Berlin. This is also the view in America. Free France continues to organise. General De Gaulle to-day visited 700 French men who have arrived in London to form a legion. General De Gaulle was told many stories of the hazardous journies which many of them had undertaken in order to get to this country.

            Another German bomber was shot down this afternoon off the N.E. Coast of Scotland. It was shot down by R.A.F. fighters into the sea. This is the second brought down to-day. This morning enemy planes dropped bombs on a town on the S.E. Coast. Damage was done to some houses, but only slight casualties. One bomber was shot down. In raids on Britain last night, two German bombers were shot down. No important damage was done. Our fighter climbed to the attack, and hit one of the bombers broadside. The second was shot down into the sea. Germany has now lost 36 aircraft since they started raiding Britain three weeks ago.

            From Cairo comes news of three successful raids on enemy territory without loss to ourselves. An attack was made on a motorised column, a petrol store was set on fire, and much damage was done. Bombs were dropped on a building believed to be a barracks. Fires were started.

            Four raids carried out yesterday on Gibraltar by single aircraft. Bombs were dropped, but no damage was done. Another warning was received to-day, but no planes were seen.

            Hitler to-day returned to Berlin, and made another triumphal drive through streets this time to celebrate the downfall of France. The place was a sea of flags. The usual order was issued by Goebbels that bouquets intended for Fuehrer must not be thrown at him, but, laid on the side of the road, where they would be collected by German Storm troopers. He drove from the Station in an open car to the Chancellery, where he appeared on the balcony for a short time but did not make a speech.

            In London there is great satisfaction at the announcement that since the beginning of the war India has supplied us with 750,000 rounds of Small Arms Ammunition, 200,000 shells, 10,000 sets of webbing equipment, 600,000 blankets, 150,000 pairs of boots, as well as large quantities of khaki drill, etc.

To Sheet 2

 - 2- 

            Plans are being considered for sending out to India and Burma children whose parents normally live there, and who wish their children to join them.

            England has agreed to buy the whole of S.Rhodesia's surplus maize crop.

            The fortress of Britain was to-day strengthened by the arrival of Heavy Artillery from Newfoundland. The men were given a very warm welcome as they stepped ashore.

            Further details of the bombing of the "Scharnhorst" have just been made known, by a gunner of the R.A.F. who took part in the bombing. Amongst his remarks were the following :-

            "We crossed over on a very clear night last week. The reflection of the sea could be seen about 60 miles away as we flew over enemy territory. As we flew over enemy territory we encountered A.A. fire and searchlights, but these were ignored. We flew over the target before delivering our attack on the "Scharnhorst". She was so plainly marked that we couldn't miss her. Just at that moment we saw A.A. open up on another of our aircraft. At this time we were flying fairly high. When in position I gave the Captain the word. Shutting off the engines we dived to the attack. I directed my line of sight on the floating dock, and gave necessary corrections to Captain. The searchlights got on us as we dived, but we went under their beam. The Scharnhorst could not be missed, she stood out so plainly. I could clearly see traces of pom-pom from the deck of the Scharnhorst. When we were dead in line I released my stick of bombs. Immediately flames came from the ships deck, and swept right across her. We circled for height, and as we turned for home we could see fires breaking out all along the dockside as our comrades swooped to the attack behind us. As we were returning, the fires could plainly be seen 85 miles away. As the result of these attacks, I am certain that the Scharnhorst will be unserviceable for several months to come".

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY COURTESY OF THE MASTER

S.S. CITY OF CAIRO, AND COMMANDING OFFICER,

53rd H.A.A REGIMENT. R.A. FOR INFORMATION

OF TROOPS AND PASSENGERS.

-----oOo-----

P L E A S E   P A SS ON.

Regimental Diary entry for 5 July 1940:

Mileage of day 130 moderate seas.

The Unit Diary entry for 4 July 1940 records the following:

At sea - Convoy now 23 ships and one destroyer - remainder having taken another course.
10.30 O.C. troops inspection of Personnel and ship etc.

The convoy covered 164 miles on 4 July 1940.

The SS City of Cairo on which Frank was travelling had arrived in Gibralter on 27 June 1940 with members of the 82nd Heavy Anti Aircraft regiment on board.  The ship was owned by the Ellerman Hall Line and was a cargo ship of 8034 tons.  It had cabin accommodation for 150 persons which on the voyage from Gibralter was taken up by 134 civilian refugees and 6 officers.  The diary of the 53rd HAA Regiment describes the SS City of Cairo as much more comfortable than the SS Alma Dawson on which they had escaped from Marseilles.

When they left Gibralter on 2 July 1940 the journey back to England was estimated at 12 days, which was slower than expected but caused by the slow speed of the other ships in the convoy.

The 53rd HAA Regiment diary for 3 July 1940 states:

Mileage of day 120 moderate seas.

The Unit diary for the 157th HAA Battery for 3 July 1940 states:

At sea - ships Standing Orders received.

The deck space reserved for the 157th HAA Battery was the Poop and the Poop Deck at the back of the ship.

The Unit Diary entry for 2 July 1940 sets out the timings of the departure from Gibralter on board the SS City of Cairo.

2/7/40    0800  Preparation for move to U.K. Copy of Embarkation

                        orders attached

              1200  All stores, kits etc. despatched from Europa

                       Barracks Gibralter

              1300  Main body left Europa Barracks.

              1400  Main body arrived Main Quay Gibralter.

              1630  Main body embarked "S.S. CITY OF CAIRO".

              1715  "S.S. CITY OF CAIRO" sailed for U.K. with 120

                    refugees and approx. 650 Officers, W.O.'s, N.C.O.'s

                    and men the majority (450) being members of the 53rd

                    HAA Regt. Convoy of 28 ships. Escort two destroyers

                    - Wishart (?) - Viscount.

The embarkation order is set out below.  Intriguingly, from the list of those on board the SS City of Cairo are the details of one soldier from the French soldier,a Pierre Auguste Lafon.  I wonder what happened to him?

EMBARKATION ORDERS 53rd A.A.

REGIMENT R.A.

URGENT & SECRET

53rd A.A. Regiment strength:

13 Officers

5 Warrant Officers

432 Other Ranks

The Vessel will be berthed at Main Wharf H.M Dockyard.

A guide will meet the Unit at the Dockyard Gate to conduct it to the forming up place.

O/C Troops Lt. Col. V.R.Krohn M.C.

Also on board:

                   

 1 member Royal Signals

 5 Soldiers attached to 4th Bn. Devonshire Regiment

 Pierre Auguste Lafon French Army

---------------------

Ref. S/GIB/1

Accomodation aft is allocated to 157 Battery & RHQ Staff

Remainder of Regiment will parade at Zero hour minus 1¼ hrs on the parade ground at Europa Barracks under O/C 159 Battery, who will march the Party to Main Wharf leaving at Zero minus 1 hour.

Fed on board by two field kitchens - 1 forward & 1 aft. Supplemented by one petrol cooker each.

Parades 

(a) 1030 hrs daily Inspection by O/C troops

(b) Lectures, P.T., rifle Drill, Bren gun Drill and Instruction, knotting and lashing etc.

Also on board RAF personnel of 212 Sqdn.

1 July 1940 saw the preparations for the return of the 53rd HAA Regiment to Great Britain from Gibralter.  The instructions to stand by for the move were received by the 157th HAA Battery in the message below from the CO, Lieutenant Colonel Krohn and were recorded in the Unit Diary.

MESSAGE FORM

1/7/40                                                                                                                                VK/1

Sheet 1

To OC 157

   OC 159

From CO 53 HAA

The Regiment will sail for U.K. per S.S. CITY OF CAIRO on 2nd July - Detailed embarkation instructions will follow - The following cleaning party from each Battery will report to the Chief Officer at 0915 hrs on 2nd July; one officer; 2 sergeants; (Sheet 2) 25 men - In addition the Carpenters who worked on the ship on the 30th June will also be taken down - Parties will march to ship leaving Barracks at 0830 hrs - Kits will be packed before leaving and left (Sheet 3) in charge of BQMS's who will be responsible for their subsequent delivery to the ships with the Battery Bagger - All Parties working with other units will be withdrawn forthwith

Krohn

                                                                                            Lt. Col.

Between 25 and 29 July 1940 the Unit Diary contained the same entry:

Duties as detailed by Battery Commander 3rd Regt. Royal Artillery (R.A.).  Standing by for orders.

On 30 June 1940 the Battery was prepared for the journey from Gibralter to England.  The Diary said:

All working Parties and details withdrawn to Battery.

24 June 1940 - Frank's Dad Relieved he made it out of France

An unusual letter in the collection, being one to Frank from his father, William Faulkner (my Great Grandfather).  The sense of relief is palpable in the letter and gives an insight in to what those waiting at home for news from loved ones were going through.  Even after the massive setbacks to the allied cause in early 1940, William Faulkner acknowledges that Britain has an enormous job to do but says "WE SHALL WIN".  A moving and insighful letter.

The Mr Bowra who is mentioned was a next door neighbour whose wife lived well in to her nineties and I remember helping her in her garden when I was a child.

The Unit Diary for the 157th HAA Battery records that the Battery Commander paid a courtesy visit to HMS Hood whilst it was in the harbour at Gibralter.  Less than a year later the HMS Hood was sunk by the Bismark in the Atlantic.

24/6/40                                                                                                  Golders Green

                                                                                                               N.W.11

My dear Frank,

How very pleased we were to get your wire from Gibralter this morning.

Last Thursday Jack Sulston rang me up to say that all the Battery had been landed at Plymouth the previous day. This news was said to come from the O.C. and again from young John Rich who had telephoned his mother.

I got a special message sent via Golders Green S.O. to No. 37 and was satisfied you would write as soon as possible.

On Saturday morning Edie rang up the War Office and then Foots Gray, the information being that if you were not in this Country you were on the way. This action annoyed me as doubting my previous information but also it had the effect of unsettling me very much over the weekend. I was unhappy and would not stir from the house in case you arrived on leave.

Then this morning I rang Sulston again to confirm what he had told me. Upon returning from the call box Mrs. Foskett said a boy had brought your wire and everything then was rosy.

Uncle Frank took the Plymouth news to father Rogers last week and I was surprised to know that his son was home here in hospital. The old man rang me up this evening for your address as young Rogers wished to write to you. But there you are, we do not know whether you are in Gibralter for good or otherwise. I would have wired you by return if I was certain.

Anyhow if what he told me is correct you all had a turn in the gun pits and had a very rotten time.

You told me not to worry and that together with you being with an ex regular Sergt. Major has helped me. I have said prayers for you all times of day and night.

Fancy the French (above all) and after all the others letting us down!! I still do not believe her Empire or Navy will surrender and that Reynaud will form a government and fight from abroad. I could see your corner of the Maginot Line being turned and that you would all be in a tight corner. When I read of transport being bombed in the Loire - German Communique - I feared for you.

Britain has an enormous job now but WE SHALL WIN.

I am doing the late duty in the S.O. again and it is painful to hear the old women talking over the hedges. I count Meaden amongst 'em - you know he was never a cheerful happy sort. I'm afraid I snubbed him the last time he muttered and as for Bowra I told him our conversation was not doing much good.

Well you are seeing the World son. I remember passing Gib very well and took snaps of the sloping rock that went up to the Sugar Loaf Peak.

And you won't get that leave just yet. The garden and fish pond are absolutely perfection at the moment. Don't arrange it so you come home in a foot of snow next time.

Now I'm looking forward to a line which gives us some idea of how you got to that corner. It looks as though in the shamozzle some got in one boat and some in another.

            Good bye, God bless and keep asmiling chivvy through it all and believe me to remain

                                                            Your ever affectionate, Father

(This letter eventually reached Frank on 17/8/40 at 157th B.H.Q. after first having been posted to Gibralter)