Boileau, Etienne Henry Tudor (Oral history)

British officer served with Sudan Camel Corps, Sudan Defence Force in Nuba Mountains, Sudan, 1929-1934; served as staff officer with Headquarters, Sudan Defence Force in Khartoum, Sudan, 1934-1939

REEL 1 Recollections of period as officer with Sudan Camel Corps, Sudan Defence Force in Sudan, 1929-1934: origins and military background of family; contrast between military service in India and Sudan; secondment to Sudan Defence Force; terms of contract; pay; leave; question of marriage; posting to Sudan Camel Corps; terrain in Nuba Mountains; water supply; transport and communications; description of policing and tax collection duties; reception during visits to Sudanese villages; economic conditions for population in Nuba Mountains. REEL 2 Continues: degree of slavery in Nuba Mountains; opinion of district commissioners of Sudan Political Service; character of civilian police and medical services; precautions against malaria; opinion of Christian missionaries; question of recruitment of Christian Sudanese to unit; method of recruitment; recruitment policy; conditions of service for troops including pay, leave, uniform, accommodation, rations and discipline; Sudanese troops' attitude towards British officers; opinion of Sudanese officers. REEL 3 Continues: role of Sudanese NCOs during training; training of Sudanese recruits; daily routine at Kadugli; use of Arabic language; training exercises; accommodation at Kadugli; personal servant; recreational activities; lack of boredom. Aspects of period as staff officer with Headquarters, Sudan Defence Force in Khartoum, Sudan, 1934-1939: role and duties; recreational activities; accommodation; attitude towards leaving Sudan Camel Corps in Nuba Mountains, 1934; preparations for war and opinion of Italian threat.