Berry, William Stanley (Oral history)

British stores clerk served in City of London Volunteer Corps in London, GB, 1915; cook and clerk served with Royal Flying Corps in GB, 1915-1916; NCO served with 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps/RAF in GB and France, 7/1916-11/1918

REEL 1 Recollections of period as civilian clerk in Purley and London, GB, 1914-1915: work with Export Department of American Trading Company; reasons for not volunteering on outbreak of war, 4/8/1914; reasons for volunteering for military service, 1915; prior failed attempt to join 1/4th Bn, East Surrey Regt at Mitcham Road Barracks, Croydon, 1914; training with City of London Volunteer Corps, 1915, including camps, night exercises and trench digging on North Downs. Recollections of enlistment and training at Royal Flying Corps Recruits Depot Farnborough, GB, 10/1915-12/1915: reason for enlistment in Royal Flying Corps as cook, 30/10/1915; cancellation of initial offer of recruitment as wireless operator; reception; story of untidy recruit on parade. REEL 2 Continues: subsequent punishment for laughing at untidy recruit on parade; conditions of service; drill; question of calibre of recruits; canteens run by Salvation Army and Church Army. Aspects of period training at Rath Camp, Curragh, Ireland, 1915-1916: wet conditions; cooking duties. Aspects of period as stores clerk at Royal Flying Corps Station Beaulieu, GB, 1916: duties issuing and organising stores; shortage of petrol for vehicles. REEL 3 Continues: problem with monitoring and issuing coal supply for scattered billets; view of non fatal flying accident immediately prior to first flight in aircraft. Aspects of period as NCO with 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps at Royal Flying Corps Station Gosport, GB, 7/1916-10/1916: reorganising stores; ordering spare parts for Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8; new recruits; adaptions to lorries in preparation for embarkation to France, 10/1916; unit vehicles. Recollections of period as NCO with 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps/RAF in France, 10/1916-1/1919: role supplying replacement parts for damaged Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8s; relaxation of accounting rules on active service; daily reports on condition of every Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8; question of Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8s being written off. REEL 4 Continues: question of frequency of Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8s being written off; state of landing field at Hondschoote; re-equipment of squadron with Airco DH.5 aircraft; re-organisation of stores on re-equipment with new aircraft; problems with engine in Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5; changes to bombs and ammunition stored; German objections to use of Pomeroy incendiary ammunition.