With the start of February, replacements arrived from Catterick:
After the march from Catterick Camp we boarded the train at Richmond Station, bound for Poole in Dorset and the Queen’s Bays.
When the train arrived at Poole we were paraded in one long line. Someone of authority walked down the line he stopped and said, “You men over there.” Then he walked further along, stopped and repeated this. We didn’t realise what was happening, but then were enlightened: “The first group will join “A” Squadron, the second “B” Squadron, the third group “C” Squadron, and the last “H.Q.” Squadron.”
Ronnie and I were separated in the general mêlée that resulted after we got off the train – and Ronnie found himself in “B” Squadron and I was in “C” Squadron.
We rookies had been sent from training camps to increase the strength of these old regiments, and at first, the regulars were a little resentful of us. We weren’t too keen on some of them either, particularly the N.C.O.s.[i]
Training was the focus of activities in February and March and recommenced with the new Mark VIc Light Tanks, the guns of which, the 7.92mm and 15mm BESAs were ‘to follow’ being unavailable, ‘and a sheet of plywood covered the place where the gun mounting would fit into the turret.’[ii] The Regiment started a ‘Young Officer’s’ course, to instruct on gunnery, driving and maintenance drill and the Unit’s administration, including accounts, and so on. This cadre, along with nineteen N.C.O.s and 52 Other Ranks attended a rifle and light machine gun course at Squob Wood, Romsey. A gunnery class of eight N.C.O. s also started a short course under an instructor from the A.FV. School, Lulworth. A group of 12 men each of “A” and “B” Squadrons went to Fordingbridge to the 3 Royal Tank Regiment for instruction on the 2-pound gun.
During January and February 1940, the 48th Division (allotted to 1 Corps), 50th (Northumbrian) Division (2nd Corps), and 51st (Highland) Division arrived in France.[iii]
[i] Merewood, Jack, To War with The Bays: A Tank Gunner Remembers 1939 – 1945, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, 1996. p.22
[ii] A History of the Queen’s Bays (The 2nd Dragoon Guards) 1929…1945, Maj.-Gen. W.R. Beddington, C.B.E., Warren & Son Ltd, 1954. P.10
[iii] Ellis L.F. Major. The War in France and Flanders 1939-1940. 1953. p.19; Crew, F.A., The Army Medical Services Campaigns, Volume 1, NMP Reprint, p. 5; Second Despatch received by the Secretary of State for War from General the Viscount GORT, V.C., K.C.B., C.B.E./D.S.O., M.V.O., M.C., Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force, 25 April 1940. The London Gazette[Supplement 35305] p.5906 Page 5906 | Supplement 35305, 10 October 1941 | London Gazette | The Gazette (Accessed 7 February 2021)
The 1st Armoured Division (UK) 