Description
Object description
British private served with 5 Commando in GB and during capture of Madagascar, 1940-1943; NCO served with 5 Commando in India and Arakan, Burma, 1943-1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in East Molesey, 1920-1940: family; education; employment. Aspects of period with 70th Bn Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt in GB, 1940: reasons for volunteering for military service, 6/1940; attitude to conditions in Kempston Barracks. Aspects of training with Commandos in GB, 1940: volunteering for commandos; training in Scotland; belief in eventual British victory; nature of training in Scottish Highlands. Aspects of period with 5 Troop, 5 Commando in GB, 1940-1942: lodgings in Barrhead; commanding officer's address at Falmouth; rumour of potential posting to Azores; impressions of Lord Lovat, 2/1942; unit's contribution to St Nazaire Raid; meeting future wife in Falmouth; posting to Bognor Regis. Recollections of operations as private with 5 Troop, 5 Commando during capture of Madagascar, 1942: embarking on board Winchester Castle; voyage to South Africa; prior knowledge of Madagascar.
REEL 2 Continues: character of landings at Diego Suarez; reasons for removal of commanding officer; reasons for opening fire of faking Vichy French POWs; impressions of Madagascar; hunt for German political agents; capture of Japanese submarine in Diego Suarez; move to Bajunga; treatment of British troops by Vichyites; attack on Vichy French gun emplacements at Tamatave; foraging for eggs at Tamatave. Period as NCO with 5 Commando in GB, 1942-1943: return to GB; compassionate leave to see his dying father; story of how his wife fell victim to suspicious wife of regimental sergeant-major; suicide of rejected commando at Boscombe; move to Isle of Wight; sight of shooting down of German aircraft at Shanklin; promotions and move to different troops; damage done to Ventnor by unit members.
REEL 3 Continues: Voyage from GB to India via Mediterranean including learning Japanese phrases. Memories of tented camp at Kedgaon, 1943. Recollections of operations as NCO with 5 Commando in Arakan, Burma and India, 1944-1945: effect of Japanese shelling of unit at Alethangyaw; duties clearing dead bodies; sight of Vultee Vengeance dive bombers in action; casualties; move to Silchar, 6/1944; question of African unit being on point of mutiny at Sylhet; patrol into Naga Hills; hospitality of Indian civilian; re-grouping at Trincomalee; landings at Akyab; last appearance of Japanese Air Force; character of landings at Myebon; digging in on Hill 170; water shortage at Hill 170.
REEL 4 Continues: role of Gurkhas at Hill 170; problems of relieving oneself on Hill 170; shooting down of RAF aircraft; arrival of mail and hearing of V2 strike on parent's home; opening fire on group of Japanese; discovery of wounded naval forward observation officer; relief of unit on Hill 170; end of war and move to Hong Kong, 8/1945; return to GB; attitude towards Japanese. Attitude to having served with 5 Commando during Second World War.