Berry, William Stanley (Oral history)

British stores clerk served in City of London Volunteer Corps in GB, 1914-1915; served with Royal Flying Corps in GB, 1915; NCO served with 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps on Western Front, 1916-1918

REEL 1 Recollections of period as civilian stores clerk living in Purley, London, 1914-1915: work with Export Department of American Trading Company; reasons for not volunteering on outbreak of war, 4/8/1914; reasons for volunteering, 1916; 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. Aspects of recruitment as cook into Royal Flying Corps, 30/10/1915: reasons; cancellation of initial offer of recruitment as wireless operator. Recollections of training at Recruits Depot, Farnborough Royal Flying Corps Station, c11/1915-12/1915: reception; story of untidy soldier on parade. REEL 2 Continues: story of untidy soldier on parade and sharing punishment for laughing at him; 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: wet conditions; cooking duties. Aspects of period as stores clerk at Beaulieu Royal Flying Corps Station, 1916: duties issuing and organising stores; shortage of petrol for vehicles. REEL 3 Continues: problem with monitoring 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 Gosport Royal Flying Corps Station, 7/1916-10/1916: reorganising stores; ordering spare parts for FE8; new recruits; adaptions to lorries in preparation for embarkation to France, 10/1916; unit vehicles. Recollections of period with 41 Sqdn, Royal Flying Corps and RAF in France and Belgium, 10/1916-1/1919: role supplying replacement parts for damaged FE8s; relaxation of accounting rules on active service; daily reports as to condition of every FE8; question of FE8s written off. REEL 4 Continues: question of frequency of FE8s written off; state of landing field at Hondschoute; re-equipment of squadron with DH5 aircraft; re-organisation of stores on re-equipment with new aircraft; problems with SE5 engine; changes to bombs and ammunition stored; German objections to use of Pomeroy incendiary ammunition.