Bardell, Samuel Valentine (Oral history)

British NCO served as clerk with No 2 British Ordnance Depot in Le Havre, France, 1940 including sinking of HMT Lancastria off Saint-Nazaire, 17/6/1940; served with General Headquarters, Middle East in Cairo, Egypt, 1940-1945 including role as Secretary to Forces Parliament, 1943-1944

REEL 1 Background in Birmingham, GB, 1915-1939: family; education; reasons for volunteering for British Army, 9/1939; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Recollections of period as Secretary to Forces Parliament in Cairo, Egypt, 1943-1944: background to concept; election, 3/1944; 'Music for All' organisation; subjects chosen for discussion; weakness of right wing; left wing feelings amongst officers; meetings at home of Henri Curiel; South African troops' parliament; work of Brains Trust; ban on circulation of Beveridge Plan; suppression of Forces Parliament; formation of Labour Government in Forces Parliament. REEL 2 Continues: attempts by army authorities to suppress it; D N Pritt's question in Parliament; appearance before Brigadier John Chrystall because of his letter to D N Pritt; feeling that great changes would occur after war; atmosphere after 1945 Election; reputation of D N Pritt in army; organisation of Forces Parliament; spread of the idea of Forces Parliament; impressions of Leo Abse; possible reasons for suppression of Forces Parliament; attempt to forge links with American troops; effect of experience of Forces Parliament; his liaison between D N Pritt and those accused of mutiny at end of war. Aspects of period as clerk with No 2 Base Ordnance Depot, Royal Army Ordnance Corps in Le Havre, France, 1940 including sinking of HMT Lancastria off Saint-Nazaire, 17/6/1940: memories of sinking of HMT Lancastria, 17/6/1940. REEL 3 Continues: rescue after sinking; quarantine on return to GB; injuries amongst survivors; German Air Force strafing of survivors in sea; loading of arms for Finland at Le Harve, winter, 1939-1940; British Army search for volunteers for Finland. Aspects of period as Secretary to Forces Parliament in Cairo, Egypt, 1943-1944: reasons for mutiny of Greek forces in Egypt, 4/1944; attempt of Henri Curiel to get supplies to mutineers; concealing of leading mutineers in Cairo; memories of Henri Curiel.