Description
Object description
British NCO served with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery in India, 1937-1940; served with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Sudan and Eritrea, 1940-1941
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of enlistment and training as driver and NCO with Royal Artillery in GB, 1934-1939: reasons for joining Royal Artillery in Birmingham, 1934; building up body weight at Royal Artillery Regimental Depot, Woolwich; employment prior to joining army; training as artillery horse driver; work in officer's mess at Colchester Garrison. Recollections of period as NCO with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery in India, 1937-1940: posting to India; voyage to India via Egypt; train journey to Lahore; character of Lahore; barrack accommodation; living conditions; incident with snake; move to hill station; use of heliograph; regiment's use of horsed drawn Ordnance QF 18 Pounder Gun; transfer to BQMS stores; store work.
REEL 2 Continues: uniform and equipment; recreational activities; degree of contact with local population; use of Indian servants; food and health; move to Jubbulpore; working routine; degree of contact with officers; battery commander's system of control; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939; mobilisation and shooting of battery horses; introduction of motor transport; driver training; maintenance of vehicles; character of Chevrolet Gun Tractor; problems with petrol supplied in flimsy tins; posting to regimental headquarters in charge of motor transport stores; accounting system; night driving and convoy discipline; orders to move to Sudan; clearing fuel dump.
REEL 3 Continues: voyage from India to Port Sudan, Sudan, 8/1940 including Italian Air Force attacks. Aspects of period as NCO with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Sudan, 1940-1941: conditions in Sudan; resupply of fuel; overnight stops; impressions of Sudanese forces; conditions at Gedaref, 11/1940; sending telegram from Gedaref; mail supply; visit from Secretary of State for War Anthony Eden; duties with regimental headquarters; transport of supplies. Recollections of operations as NCO with 28th Field Regt, Royal Artillery, 5th Indian Infantry Div in Eritrea, 1941: regimental move into Eritrea, 1/1941; duties during advance; accidental Royal Air Force attack on convoy; terrain during advance and effect of thorns on vehicle tyres; description of road and villages passed.
REEL 4 Continues: the regimental headquarters column; mechanic killed in accidental fire; medical officer; desert sores; build up prior to Battle of Keren; character of logistic area in Happy Valley; acquisition of Italian radio; delivery of mail and rations; battery position; Italian Air Force bombing; rations and water; lack of information on Battle of Keren; comfort in field; move to Asmara; sight of dead Italian; accommodation at Asmara; deficiencies in kit; move by road to Massawa; terrain at Massawa.
REEL 5 Continues: degree of contact with Italian civilians and Ethiopians; positions during Battle of Amba Alagi; effect of rains; boarding French ship at Massawa; voyage to Port Tewfik, Egypt; memories of Brigadier William Slim.