February 1940

1-3 February

No parades on Thursday as the parade square was completly covered with snow. Pipe-Major Andy Anderson off to Edinburgh for the piping course. Gas training being emphasized in unti lines. Kit inspection held on Saturday morning and 25% of the unit granted a week-end pass.

4-10 February 1940

Church parade held in miserable weather-fog and drizzle and the band was on parade as usual. Gas alarms being called at indiscriminate times. Band still split up but we have to gather each day for training under Sgt. Alex Marr. Weather a bit brighter and warmer later in the week. First draft of 10 men arrived from Canada for the unit and they arrived without all their documents. Attended lecture on range discipline as we are due on ASH ranges next week.

11-17 February 1940

Cumpulsory church parade this Sunday and the C of E's attended their own special service. The band was split up for Company parades and we are required to parade with the various companies we are assigned to and I am assigned to B Company. A surprise gas alarm was called on the 15 of February and a lot of people were caught unawares. The Governor-General of Canada (Lord Tweedsmuir) died this week and Officers of the unit are to wear black amr bands on their uniforms. Heavy snow storm on Saturday bit it melted almost as soon as it was on the ground.

18-24 February 1940

Battalion church parade as usual. A selected group of Officers, NCO's and men were selected to visit Windsor Castle on Sunday afternoon. New sick parade time established at 0730hrs. We were given a demonstaration of trench digging and wiring. A memorial service for Lord Tweedsmuir was held on the parade ground and the Padre, Capt. Nicoll, took the service. Part of the unit went to Henley Park for LMG firing. Staff band of the Salvation Army gave a concert at the Garrison Theatre on Sunday. Lt. D.A. MacKenzie was married at St. Andrews Church on Saturday. The band supplied pipers for the Regiment. Lt. MacKenzie became Colonel of the Regiment in Italy and when the unit was fighting on of the last battles of the war at Apeldorn in Holland he was killed. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Service Cross (USA) and his decorations are now in the 48th Highlanders museum in Toronto.

25-29 February

Church parade on the 25th. Another series of innoculations started this week for all ranks. The Commanding Officer, Lt Col E.W. Haldenby M.C. V.D. ADC gave a talk to all ranks in the Stanhope Theatre on Thursday afternoon and spoke about the fighting in France in the First World War. Night training started this week. Captain Mert Plunkett of the Dumbells fame in WWI and my mother's first cousin, came around looking for talent to get a show together. I did not speak to him at this time but seen him and spoke to him another time.