Nash, Charles William Bertie (Oral history)

British driver with Arab-Iranian Oil Company 1938-1939; served as NCO with 2nd Bulk Petrol Transport Coy, Royal Army Service Corps in GB and North West Europe 1939-1940. Evacuated from Dunkirk 3/6/1940

REEL 1 Period as driver with Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, ca 1938-1939: commitment to enlist in event of war; failure to realise approach of war; arrival of call up papers on wedding day and impact on reception. Recollections of initial period with 2nd Bilk Petrol Transport Coy, Royal Army Service Corps in GB, 10/1939-11/1939: attestation and journey to Aldershot; formation of unit; kitting out; use of petrol company executives as officers; types of petrol tankers. REEL 2 Continues: lack of tactical training; preparation of petrol tankers fro war; competitive attitude to cleaning vehicles; promotion to corporal; professional nature of drivers and maintenance skills; unit organisation and workshop section; unit role and subsequent development sin petrol handling techniques in North West Europe, North Africa and Italy campaigns, 1940-1945; use of 4 gallon flimsy cans; gas training; convoy discipline during drive to Southampton; adjustment to military lifestyle. REEL 3 Recollections of period in France, 12/1939-5/1940: voyage out and disembarkation at Cherbourg; first impressions; drive to Beamont sur Le Sarr; village hall billet; efforts to keep warm; estaminets; French military wine; unit morale and discipline. REEL 4 Continues: acclimatisation; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1939; difficulties on icy roads during move to Morlaix; ; billet; work salvaging contaminated petrol from old dumps; leave lottery system; voyage on leave ship. REEL 5 Continues: recall of leave ship due to threat of German attack, 5/1940; period in holding camp at Rennes prior to unofficial return to unit, 5/1940; recreations; brothels. Recollections of operations in France, 5/1940-6/1940: move north; delight at having re-joined unit; confusion over orders; deployment to Calais Mart Aerodrome; shell fire from German tanks and consequent destruction of petrol tankers; drive to Dunkirk. REEL 6 Continues: encounter with German motor-cyclist and armour during drive to Dunkirk; refugee problem during prior BEF move into Belgium. Evacuation from Dunkirk, 3/6/1940: situation on dunes; effects of German air attacks on beaches; role of Military Police; assisting wounded to embark; evacuation aboard fishing smack to Ramsgate; reception; train journey; story of getting message to family having been reported as missing; recovery in Chester and question of psychological effects of campaign.