August - The Irish Regiment Of Canada

Battle Diary of The Irish Regiment of Canada
26 August 1939 Camp Borden
Guard marched off from Fort York Armouries at 17.35 hours with 4 Officers and 52
Other Ranks and entrained at Union Station for Camp Borden at 18.35 hours Daylight
savings time. Arrived at Angus Station at 21.05 hours, and were met by Major
Macdonald R.C.A.S.C. with four trucks and all ranks were taken directly to their billets at
Borden. All messing bedding etc. was drawn and the men were given a hot meal. Officers
were fed in P.F. Mess, after supper Major Hughes, O.C. Irish Regiment Guard, had a
private consultation with Wing Commander Stevenson, O.C. R.C.A.F. Station, and
Squadron Leader Middleton, with reference the requirements of the R.C.A.F, Major
Hughes was given a secret map for reference re: important positions etc. Officers
returned at 01.45 hours with final instructions to assemble for a reconnaissance with
Wing Commander Stevenson at 08.50 hours, Sunday.
Strength: Officcers-4 Other Ranks-52 Total 103 (sic 56)
Weather: Clear, visibility unlimited, calm light ground fog.
27 August 1939 Camp Borden
All Officers made a thorough reconnaissance of positions in and around the airdrome
with Wing Commander Stevenson and picked out and noted on the map positions for
sentries and patrols. First Guard was passed at 12.00 hours, relieving the R.C.A.F. Guards
who had hitherto been carrying this duty. The heat was terrific in the heavy tunic and kilt
and a request was made for fatigue outfits. Through the afternoon the work went along
very smooth and we received a visit from our Commanding Officer Col. Duthie, who
expressed himself as pleased with the work thus far. During the night, the patrols were
doubled, and as a result there were two hours on and two hours off all night. We had to
do this on account of the small personnel. In spite of so little sleep, the men carried out
their duties splendidly. Lts. Cornell and Egan alternated as Duty Officers and have taken
keenly to their work. The men are badly in need of boots and these will be here on
Tuesday. The Medical Officer advised us that, physically, our men were the finest to
come into Camp Borden this year, 100%, A1, including Officers. We had to requisition
flashlights and whistles for men on patrols.
Strength: Officers-4, Other Ranks-52, Total 56; Good health hospital nil.
Weather: clear, visibility 5 miles, wind east 2 M.P.H.

28 August 1939 Camp Borden
No eventualities took place during the night other than a number of doors found not
closed in the hangers. This was reported to the R.C.A.F. Orderly Officer. A noise,
apparently falling lumber came from another hanger this was investigated but nothing
was found. We have now established a Guard and Orderly room in the vicinity of the
hangers, which helps a great deal in efficiency. Pte. Selk left camp at 14.30 hours to
return to Toronto. He understood the Duty here was for weekends only. We are
experiencing some trouble with our other ranks. It seems that when they left Toronto,
some the Company Commanders had explained to the men leaving in this detachment
that it would be only weekends. As they left Toronto without an opportunity to see if
their positions were secure, many wish to return home.
Health Good, Hospital Nil.
Strength: Officers-4; Other Ranks-56; Total-60
5 Other Ranks joined this detachment tonight.
Weather: clear, visibility unlimited, calm
29 August 1939 Camp Borden
Boots, fatigue outfits, socks, sun helmets and towels arrived. They were all badly needed
and on issuing them we could not help but notice the different expressions on the men’s
faces; they seemed happier for they were getting somewhat down in the dumps. 5 men
were just leaving Angus Station for Toronto when instructions were received that no
more men could leave Camp without permission. They came back. Pte. Mackenzie was
given permission to return to Toronto on account of his wife’s illness. Welcome news
was received in the evening that 20 other ranks were leaving Toronto at 18.35 hours. The
situation will be handled much better now. Men will have longer reliefs and will be able
to do a big wiring job around the area. The reinforcements arrived and were billeted and
fed by 22.50 hours.
Health Good; Hospital- nil
Strength: Officers-4, Other Ranks-76; Total- 80
Weather: cloudy, visibility unlimited, calm light rain.
30 August 1939 Camp Borden
Word received that our detachment would go under canvas instead of billeting in the
barracks as heretofore. We will apparently do our own messing etc. Twenty men and two
NCOs were detailed as wiring party to wire the area in the rear of the hangers, and a
moveable blockade is to be placed on the main road leading to the hangers. About a
quarter mile of double apron was erected by evening. Three men, Ptes. Marrin, Skull, and

Skill, had to be returned to Battalion Headquarters as medically unfit. Pte. Paine was also
recalled, however four more arrived. A number are worried about their civil jobs; but
every effort is being made by Brigade Headquarters to keep them secure.
Health: several blistered feet. Hospital: nil
Strength; Officers-4 Other Ranks-75 Total-79
Weather; Overcast, visibility 18 miles, calm
31 August 1939 Camp Borden
More wire was erected but the process is slow as considerable under brushing has to be
done prior to fencing. Had an official visit from Brigadier Alexander (DOC MD2) and
learned that we would defiantly go under canvas, but all messing would be done as
before. One large Marquee has been erected and the night Guard consisting of fourty men
and 4 NCOs will sleep there tonight. This will give them more rest, which they need
badly. Lt.-Col. Hennessey, DSO MC, Camp Commandant, made rounds, approached all
sentries and asked them their duties, area, fire alarm, etc. He expressed himself as
satisfied.
Hospital-Nil
Strength: Officers-4, Other Ranks-75, Total-79.
Weather: Overcast, visibility 18miles.
August 1939 Weston Detachment (Number Two Detachment)
No Diary Entries
26 August Hamilton Detachment (Number three detachment)
Hamilton Detachment consisting of one Officer and 19 Other Ranks fell in at BATT.
H.Q., Fort York Armouries, Toronto, at 1800 hrs. Moved off for entrainment 1815 hrs;
Marched to Union Station, Toronto, arriving at 1845 hrs. Entrained immediately on
arrival. Train pulled out thirty minutes late at 1915. Met by bus for Airport at 2015 hrs.
Arrived Hamilton Airport 20 35 hrs. Took over Airport immediately, posted sentries
where necessary. Canvas had not arrived, arranged for meals with Hamilton Aero Club.
Q.M. issued necessary ground sheets and blankets for bivouac.
Sat down to 1 st meal at 2315 hrs. Mr. Clendenning made arrangements for future meals as
follows: Breakfast 0600 hrs, Dinner 1200 hrs, Supper 1800 hrs.
Canvas arrived 0030 hrs. 27 th 8/39.

27 August
Breakfast 0600 hrs. Paraded two parties, one erect canvas, one to erect barber wire
barricade already staked out by Lt. R.D.Clendenning. Administration operating
permanent guard detail arranged- 2 posted. Guard turned over to Cpl. Wallace at 0600
hrs.
1 st permanent detail posted at 0700 hrs.
Made the acquaintance of Mr. E. Taylor of Ham. Areo club and Mr. R. Gibson of Club
Aircraft, and Sqd. Leader McGregor, RCAF.
Guard details changed every two hours till 0500 hrs Monday. All quiet until 2215 hrs. at
this hour the general Alarm (siren on crash truck) was sounded. On taking over command
from Cpl. Wallace was informed that the local police were looking for a man who was
badly wanted and the police requested our assistance in his being located. After searching
the Airport I recalled the party at 2240 hrs. All quiet until 0700 hrs. Guard turned over to
Cpl. Ham 0700 hrs. Guard Report states that at 0400 hrs. Pte. Glenn on #3 post reported
gate fallen down and that it had not been touched by anyone on his tour of duty.
REMARKS: At 1115 hrs. guard was visited by Lt/Col. Duthie left at 1305 hrs. for Camp
Borden.
28 August
Guard Standing Orders issued. Copies sent to RCAF Batt. H.Q., 6 th Inf. Brigade, War
Diary, 2 copies. Guard turned over to Cpl. Ham at 0700 hrs. details changed every two
hours. The three posts were inspected by me at 0800 hrs. General wiring party took
further precaution for the protection of this Aerodrome. An extra floodlight was installed
on the RCAF Hanger and a ceiling floodlight was brought level for night protection
across the landing field direct from post#3. Cpl. Wash of the RCE had instructed Sgt.
Major Keating to see to our Sanitary Arrangements. A plumber and carpenter proceeded
to erect a washstand and shower. Later arrangements made for a bucket type latrine. All
ranks are now using latrine in Guard Room.
ADMINISTRATION Part I and II Orders issued. Tent lines in general clean up. Plumber
and carpenter at work erecting wash table and shower.
DUTIES Performed re sentry re sentry go as per Part I and II Orders.
29 August
Letter from Areo Club Corp. received, signed by R.L. Gibson, President, requesting a
permit to establish an emergency tent outside the main gate for people who want to fly
could buy tickets. This letter sent to Lt/Col Duthie for his decision. Wiring party arranged
for additional wiring near South Boundary. Increased in Strength and attached for rations,
Pte. B. Tate. Sentries posted and patrolled per Parts I and II Orders.
30 August
M.O.’s Parade called for the caring of feet, washing of socks, General Health talk.
Wiring party detailed foe wiring additional wire apron fence North Boundary. Visit from

Col. Thomas and Bde. Major from 6 th Brigade HQ. Sentries posted and duties performed
as per Part I and II Orders.
31 August
Sick Parade called, Major Tice RCAF attending. Erection of wash table and showers
completed. Wiring party detailed for additional wire apron fence West Boundary. Flew to
Weston with Sq. Leader McGregor, RCAF on cross-country hop which he had to make.
Sentries posted and patrolled as per Part I and II Orders issued.