Object description
British seaman served as radar operator with HMS Bulolo in Mediterranean and during Normandy landings, 1942-1944
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Gloucestershire, GB, 1923-1941: family; reasons for volunteering for Royal Navy, 1941; education. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Navy in GB, 1942: selection process; reserved occupation in aircraft industry; basic training at HMS King Alfred, Skegness; selection for radar training on Isle of Man; pattern of radar training; drafting to Devonport. Recollections of operations as radar operator aboard HMS Bulolo in GB coastal waters, Mediterranean and off Normandy, 1942-1945: drafting to ship on River Clyde; character of ship; radar personnel on board; voyage from GB to Mediterranean, late 1942; attack on Oran including bombing by German aircraft. REEL 2 Continues: damage to ship in harbour; hostility of French civilians in Algeria; burial of dead at sea; return to Devonport; voyage from GB to Egypt via South Africa; participation in Italian landings, 7/1943; move to Naples; on watch during landings at Anzio, 2/1944; move to Bombay; return to GB; degree of knowledge of forthcoming landings in Normandy. REEL 3 Continues: sailing for Normandy, 6/1944; visit of VIPs at Southampton; improvements in radar equipment; amusing story relating to radar officer; presence of chaplain on board; accommodation on board; sight of troops embarking at Southampton, 6/1944; reaction to naval bombardment, D-Day, 6/6/1944; under shellfire from German battery, D-Day, 6/6/1944; degree of awareness of situation; D-Day, 6/6/1944; prior recollection of bombing of ship by German aircraft during North African landings; return to Portsmouth, 6/1944. Aspects of period as radar operator on shore duties in GB, 1944-1945: further radar training; coaling ship at Devonport. REEL 4 Continues: VE Day celebrations, 5/1945; attitude to demobilisation; demobilisation and return to civilian life; story of disciplinary action at Devonport; attitude to naval service.
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