• Departure: Departed Garrison at Gosford Castle at 0012.
• Road Journey: Travelled 8 miles by motor to Armagh, arriving at 0115.
• Rail Journey: Departed Armagh at 0130; travelled by rail and arrived at Belfast at 0245.
• Embarkation: Boarded trucks at 0250 and arrived at the harbour quay at 0310;
• Boarded the ship USAT James Parker at 0355.
• Sailed at 1630 for an unknown destination.
• Conditions: Weather cloudy;
• Morale Good; Sea Calm.

• Officers: 1 Captain assigned and present.
• Enlisted Men: 11 Total (7 Present for duty, 4 Absent).
• Authentication Signature: Osbourne D. Butler Jr, Capt FA

• Med Det: Medical Detachment.
• MD: Medical Department.
• USAT: United States Army Transport.
• Quay: A platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships.

18th April 1944 - Medical Detachment, 12th FA Bn

Personnel Changes

No Change

Record of Events

• Arrived and docked at Newport Harbor, England at 1610.
• Weather: Foggy and cloudy to clear.
• Sea Conditions: Calm.
• Morale: Good.

Personnel Strength

• Officers: 1 Assigned and present (1 Captain).
• Enlisted Men: 11 Total (7 Present for duty, 4 Absent).
• Authentication Signature: Osbourne D. Butler Jr, Capt FA

Explanation of Shortened Text

• Med Det: Medical Detachment.
• 12th FA Bn: 12th Field Artillery Battalion.
• MD: Medical Department.
• USAT: United States Army Transport.
• Capt FA: Captain, Field Artillery (Note: Captain Butler signed for the detachment).

Summary

The morning report for the Medical Detachment, 12th Field Artillery Battalion, dated 18 April 1944, marks their arrival in the United Kingdom. After their journey from Northern Ireland, the detachment docked at the harbour in Newport, England, at 1610 hours. While the weather began as foggy and cloudy, it cleared as the day progressed, and the sea remained calm throughout the crossing. Under the command of Captain Osbourne D. Butler Jr, the detachment of 1 officer and 11 enlisted men maintained "Good" morale as they prepared to disembark for their next station.

19th April 1944 - Medical Detachment, 12th FA Bn

Personnel Changes

• Returning Detail: The following four men returned from DS (Truck detail, destination unknown) to duty per VOCG at 1430:
  • Lopez (18029389) T/3
  • O'Brien (17067536)
  • Cpl Drobut (36340142) T/4
  • Charanza (38090347) T/5

Record of Events

• 1000: Debarked from USAT James Parker.
• 1015: Entrained at Newport, Eng (Correction Wales).
• 1105: Departed Depot Newport, Eng (Wales)
• 1315: Detrained at Bridgend, S. Wales.
• 1345: Arrived at garrison on foot; station established at Island Farm, Bridgend.
• Conditions: Weather rainy,
• Morale good.

Personnel Strength

• Officers: 1 Captain assigned and present.
• Enlisted Men: 11 Total (all 11 present for duty).
• Authentication Signature: Osbourne D. Butler Jr, Capt FA

Explanation of Shortened Text

• Med Det: Medical Detachment.
• MD: Medical Department.
• DS: Detached Service.
• VOCG: Verbal Order of Commanding General.
• T/3, T/4, T/5: Technician 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade.

Summary

The morning report for the Medical Detachment, 12th Field Artillery Battalion, dated 19 April 1944, confirms their arrival at Island Farm in Bridgend. After debarking from the USAT James Parker at the Newport harbour, the detachment travelled by rail and arrived at the Bridgend station at 1315 hours. Despite the rainy weather, the men completed the final leg of the journey to the garrison on foot, with morale remains "Good". Additionally, four enlisted men who had been away on a truck detail rejoined the unit, bringing the detachment to its full strength of 11 enlisted men and one officer.

20th April 1944 - Medical Detachment, 12th FA Bn

Personnel Changes

• Banker, John D. (36673177) Pvt: Assigned and joined from Hq Btry, 108th Inf per SO#84 Hq 28th Inf Div.
• Effective Date: Change was effective 1430, 19 April 1944.

Record of Events

• Activity: Usual garrison duties.
• Weather: Clear.
• Morale: Good.

Personnel Strength

• Officers: 1 Captain assigned and present.
• Enlisted Men: 12 Total (all 12 present for duty).
• Authentication Signature: Osbourne D. Butler Jr, Capt FA

Explanation of Shortened Text

• Med Det: Medical Detachment.
• M.D.: Medical Department.
• Asgd & Jd: Assigned and Joined.
• Hq Btry: Headquarters Battery.
• SO#84: Special Order Number 84.

Summary

The morning report for the Medical Detachment, 12th Field Artillery Battalion, dated 20 April 1944, shows the unit settling into its new station at Island Farm in Bridgend. The detachment's strength increased to 12 enlisted men with the assignment of Private John D. Banker, who joined from the 108th Infantry. Under the command of Captain Osbourne D. Butler Jr, the detachment performed usual garrison duties under clear skies, with morale remaining "Good" as they integrated into the camp.

24th April 1944 - Medical Detachment, 12th FA Bn

Personnel Changes

No Change

Record of Events

• Activity: Usual garrison duties.
• Weather: Clear.
• Morale: Good.
• Status: ALERTED FOR DEPARTURE.

Personnel Strength

• Officers: 1 Captain assigned and present.
• Enlisted Men: 12 Assigned and present for duty.
• Authentication Signature: Osbourne D. Butler Jr, Capt FA

Explanation of Shortened Text

• Med Det: Medical Detachment.
• MD: Medical Department.
• Capt FA: Captain, Field Artillery.

Summary

The morning report for the Medical Detachment, 12th Field Artillery Battalion, dated 24 April 1944, marks a significant shift for the unit while stationed at Island Farm in Bridgend. While the day was spent performing usual garrison duties under clear skies, the detachment was officially ALERTED FOR DEPARTURE. Led by Captain Osbourne D. Butler Jr, the unit maintained a strength of 12 enlisted men with "Good" morale.

30th April 1944 - Medical Detachment, 12th FA Bn

Personnel Changes

• Attached for Quarters and Rations: The following three personnel were attached to this organization for quarters and rations from Hq Btry, 2nd Inf Div Arty per VOCG at 1400:
  • Mueller, William L. (O-452817) Capt
  • Cheesman, James R. (33354113) T/5
  • Schmidt, Floyd (37673432) Pvt

Record of Events

• Activity: Usual garrison duty.
• Weather: Cloudy.
• Morale: Good.
• Status: Det ALERTED FOR DEPARTURE.

Personnel Strength

• Officers: 1 Captain assigned and present.
• Enlisted Men: 12 Assigned and present for duty; 2 additional men attached for rations. Total Present: 14 Enlisted Men.
• Authentication Signature: William C. Hays Jr, Captain

Explanation of Shortened Text

• Hq Btry, 2nd Inf Div Arty: Headquarters Battery, 2nd Infantry Division Artillery.
• VOCG: Verbal Order of Commanding General.
• Det: Detachment.

Summary

The morning report for the Medical Detachment, 12th Field Artillery Battalion, dated 30 April 1944, marks the unit's final status update at Island Farm. The detachment was officially ALERTED FOR DEPARTURE as they prepared to move from Bridgend. On this day, three members from the 2nd Infantry Division Artillery, including Captain William L. Mueller, were attached to the unit for quarters and rations. The report was authenticated by a new signature, Captain William C. Hays Jr, noting "Good" morale despite cloudy weather as the unit readied for its next mission.