Infantry Training Depots and Centres

Second World War

Before being assigned to a Machine Gun Training Centre for their machine gunner specific training, the majority of men would have been through and infantry training facility, such as an Infantry Base Depot or a Primary Training Centre.

The Infantry Base Depot included an Instructional Wing that included a member of the Small Arms School Corps as well as a qualified machine gun instructor.

• VI/375/1, 7th January 1942, Instructional Wing (Infantry Base Depot)

The Primary Training Company and Wing was where the soldiers undertook their initial training.

• V/691/1, 18th June 1942 – Primary Training Wings and Companies

They were then sifted to one of the training centres for their particular specialism, including the Machine Gun Training Centre.

• V/692/1 18th June 1942 – Infantry Training Centre, Machine Gun Training Centre, Motor Training Battalion, Reconnaissance Training Centre, Headquarters of a Primary Training Centre.

Sources

• The National Archives, WO 24/943 War Establishments 1942 January to June.
• The National Archives, WO 24/944 War Establishments 1942 July to September.