Designated the 689th Quartermaster Company Aviation (LM) on 22 April 1942 with a strength of 50 enlisted men under the command of Lieutenant William Fairbank. Having already been alerted for overseas shipment, the unit sailed aboard the SS Cathay to the UK the same day.



The unit arrived in Newport on 14 May 1942, and were sent to Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire the following day, where they undertook duties of establishing warehouses, unloading, railway cars and the necessary guard duty and fatigue.



On 9 June 1942 the unit were moved to Central Hall in Kettering to establish a mess for 300 US troops, they were then moved to the 2nd Air Depot Group at Molesworth on 17 June 1942.



In August 1942 the unit was moved to Warrington, then Poynton. On 15 September they were redesignated the 689th Ordnance Company, and were moved to Melchbourne Park, near Rushden shortly after.



On 5 November 1942 the unit was assigned to VIII Air Force Service Command, and again redesignated the 1689th Ordnance Supply & Maintenance Company.