Sills, Sidney William (Oral history)

British aircraftman served at No 1 Depot, Royal Air Force at RAF Uxbridge in GB, 1933; served with Balloon School, Royal Air Force at RAF Rollestone, Larkhill in GB, 1933-1934; served as wireless operator at Electrical and Wireless School, RAF at RAF Cranwell in GB, 1934-1935; served with 9 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1935-1936; served with 84 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Shaibah in Iraq, 1936-1938; served with Royal Air Force Depot, Karachi, India, 1938-1939; NCO served with 39 Sqdn, RAF in India and Singapore, Malaya, 1939

REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training at No 1 Depot, Royal Air Force at Uxbridge, GB, 7/1933-11/1933: reasons for enlistment in Royal Air Force; character of basic training; reasons for recruit failure; accommodation; daily routine and pay. Aspects of period as airman with Balloon School, Royal Air Force at RAF Rollestone, Larkhill, GB, 1933-1934: posting to school; role of unit; reaction to posting; description of operating balloons and balloon flights; character of station; grouping of Royal Air Force trades. Aspects of period as wireless operator with Electrical and Wireless School, RAF at RAF Cranwell in GB, 1934-1935: background to becoming wireless operator; status of wireless operator; training and private Morse Code practice; living conditions; free time. REEL 2 Continues: air training; character of wireless equipment and operating problems. Recollections of period as wireless operator with 9 Sqdn, RAF in GB, 1935-1936: posting to squadron at RAF Boscombe Down; different characteristics and qualities of wireless operators; description of Vickers Virginia; wireless operator's cabin aboard aircraft; reputation of squadron; communication aboard Vickers Virginia; character of RAF Boscombe Down; participation in annual Air Defence of Great Britain exercise; role of squadron in training searchlight units. Recollections of period as wireless operator with 84 Sqdn, RAF at RAF Shaibah in Iraq, 1936- 1938: reaction to posting; voyage and journey to Baghdad; joining squadron at RAF Shaibah; nature of station. REEL 3 Continues: squadron's role; duties as wireless operator; recreational activities; Christmas celebrations; visits to cinema; drinking habits; flying conditions in Iraq; effects of sand on wireless operation; character of landing grounds; character of Westland Wapiti and Vickers Vincent; show of force in Mosul area; morale; relations with local population and barrack servants. Aspects of period as wireless operator with Royal Air Force Depot, Karachi, India, 1938-1939: posting to unit; social life. REEL 4 Continues: Recollections of period as wireless operator with 39 Sqdn, RAF in India and Singapore, Malaya, 1939: posting to squadron at RAF Risalpur in India; flying accidents and lightning damage during squadron move to Singapore, Malaya; accommodation at Kallang Airport; sea navigation training; impressions of Bristol Blenheim Mk I; wireless operator's accommodation in Bristol Blenheim, Mk I; remustering as observer; duties of air gunner; character of Vickers Gas Operated Machine Gun; accuracy of air gunnery; cameras used for photographic work; incident of being shot at on North West Frontier of India; issue of parachutes; prior recollections of problems of venereal disease in Iraq.