Note

Scope and Content

Note by Ridgway on his period in V Corps 26 Jun 1940-27 May 1941; says he returned from Norway to London; revisited Nobel House, where he contacted Francis Stuart; found out shortly afterwards that he was going as a staff officer (G3(I) to V corps which was then commanded by Auchinleck, who had recently moved from IV Corps. He then moved to its base in Tidworth, Wiltshire where met former members of IV Corps and General (Bernard) Nosworthy, the new commander of IV Corps. One of his tasks was to learn to ride a motor cycle, which included having to ride with a senior officer as a passenger. He describes the work of V Corps which was responsible for an area covering Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis, preparing anti-tank trenches in case of a German invasion. Auchinleck was very shortly appointed GOC Southern Command after Ridgway joined . The new commander of V Corps was Bernard Montgomery, which filled some "with a mixture of fear and gloom". In July moved to Melchett Court near Romsey, describes the skills of Edward "Ted" Seago as a camouflage artist. In early September Ridgway moved again to Longford Castle [seat of Lord Radnor] which was nearer Salisbury.