Description
Object description
British drummer and NCO served with 1st Bn Coldstream Guards in GB, Sudan and Egypt, 1926-1939; NCO served with Intelligence Section, Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards, 7th Guards Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in GB, France and Belgium, 9/1939-5/1940
Content description
REEL 1 Background to enlistment and training as bandboy with 1st Bn Coldstream Guards in GB, 1925-1926: initial enlistment in Hampshire Regt; training as bandboy with Corps of Drums. Aspects of period as drummer and NCO with 1st Bn Coldstream Guards in GB, Egypt and Sudan, 1926-1939: transfer to battalion for adult service; drill, weapons and tactical training; use of drummers as anti-aircraft personnel; intelligence section; observation posts; nature of voyage from GB to Egypt, 1926; local civilian burials; construction of Star of Gebeit in Sudan; period in barracks in Cairo, Egypt; effects of Abdication Crisis on unit in GB, 1936; expectations of war. Aspects of period as NCO with Intelligence Section, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards, 7th Guards Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in GB, 9/1939: reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939.
REEL 2 Continues: mobilisation at Pirbright; refresher training for army reservists; gas training; move to Yeovil; use of requisitioned civilian vehicles; motorcycle training; work as intelligence section sergeant including making maps, codes and ciphers, keeping war diary and observation work; communications; unit organisation; equipment and weapons; transport; opinion of Maginot Line; question of role of British Expeditionary Force; visit by Leslie Hore-Belisha; morale; training. Recollections of period as NCO with Intelligence Section, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards, 7th Guards Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in France, 9/1939-5/1940: journey from GB to France; initial impressions of France; effects of drinking calvados; court martial; train journey to Lille; construction of field works.
REEL 3 Continues: billets in Lannoy; food and water rations; air raid precautions; work of intelligence section; observation posts; front line entrenchments; anti-tank weapons; effects of cold weather conditions; training; opinion of French Army troops; recreational activities including Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) shows and cinema; use of band for church parades and celebrations; story of being kissed by French general; invitation to French officer's mess; uniforms; supplementing of rations with local purchases; French girlfriends. Recollections of operations as NCO Intelligence Section, Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn Coldstream Guards, 7th Guards Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in France and Belgium, 5/1940: initially clear roads blocked by refugees; occupation of former Belgian Army positions at Louvain, Belgium; location of battalion headquarters in farmhouse.
REEL 4 Continues: maps; first casualties; withdrawal and evacuation of battalion headquarters; movement to coast and delays caused by refugees; rations and fatigue; orders to evacuate; destruction of transport; march with small party to Dunkirk, France; story of being threatened by French officer; German Air Force attacks on beach at Dunkirk, France; foraging for food; fires in Dunkirk, France; sight of destroyers and one sunk by Junkers Ju 87 Stuka in Dunkirk Harbour, France; embarkation and voyage to Dover, GB; recovery from campaign; question of execution of Fifth Columnists near Louvain, Belgium.