Description
Object description
British sapper served with Royal Engineers in GB, 1942-1945, including being witness in Freedom Press sedition trial at Old Bailey in London, GB, 4/1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1924-1942: family; childhood in Wanstead; education; employment; political influences; experiences with British Union of Fascists; awareness of anti-war movement during 1930s; opinion of George Lansbury; attitude towards Spanish Civil War; opinion of anarchist interpretation of history; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Recollections of period as sapper with Royal Engineers in GB, 1942-1945: initial call-up to Essex Regiment, 1942; attitude to army life and discipline; description of training; opinion of military training; influence of Herbert Read and Freedom Press pamphlets on developing Anarchist ideas; nature of Freedom Press publications; story of being only member of unit to subscribe to Freedom Press.
REEL 2 Continues: content and issues covered by War Commentary section; opinion of Freedom Press journalists and editorial team; story of John Olday's desertion from the Pioneer Corps; extent of desertions during Second World War and post-war amnesty scheme; use of own home as accommodation for deserters; opinion of John Olday's 'Bulletin for Soldiers' pamphlet; story of origins of anarchist movement; differences with Communist Party of Great Britain over attitude to role of state and war; effect of Anarchist beliefs on military service; trade union activities; contacts with anarchists in Glasgow; story of persuading Frank Leech not to go on hunger strike in Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow; opinion of Glasgow anarchists' anti-war propaganda; effect of wartime conditions on status of industrial workers; comments on the term 'movement' in relation to anarchism; description of organisation, security and subscriptions; positive effect of war on self-education; opinion of George Orwell's 'Homage to Catalonia' (1938).
REEL 3 Continues: description of wartime publications aimed at the Armed Forces; opinion of propaganda in wartime films; reason for postings to remote areas; posting to Royal Engineers maintenance company at Stromness, Orkney Islands, 1944; composition of maintenance company; duties at Army School of Hygiene, Aldershot Garrison; relations between anarchists and Independent Labour Party, Socialist Party of Great Britain and Trotskyites; attitude to influence of revolutionary ideas during war; relations between Anarchists and pacifists groups; story of Anarchist conscientious objectors being advised to plead exemption on moral not political grounds; story of split in Peace Pledge Union and role of John Middleton Murry; comparison of anarchist and Marxist attitudes towards Adolf Hitler and Nazis; effect of Jewish persecution on some pacifists changing stance on war; reasons for liberation of European Jewry not being a British Government war aim.
REEL 4 Continues: attitude of Anarchists to concept of patriotism; reason for anarchist opposition to policy of unconditional surrender; comparison of levels of bellicosity during First and Second World Wars; attitude to concept of freedom during Second World War; question of right wing extremists posing greater danger to British Government than Anarchists; role of Communist Party of Great Britain in industrial disaffection; story of Herbert Morrison banning 'The Daily Worker' newspaper; attitude to stance of Communist Party of Great Britain during Second World War; question of Communist domination of National Council for Civil Liberties; relations between Communists and Anarchists; events leading up to period of military detention on Orkney Islands; description of detention camp, including inmates and living conditions; return to military camp at Stromness; search of personal possessions and confiscation of anarchist publications; story of interview with inspector from Special Branch, Metropolitan Police; story of letter sent to Freedom Press bookshop being censored and returned; arrest and trial of Freedom Press staff, 3/1945; contacts with police during military service; role of Special Branch of Metropolitan Police in detaining Anarchists.
REEL 5 Continues: reaction to British Government's arrest of Anarchists; nature of Freedom Press trial at the Old Bailey, 4/1945; role as witness for the prosecution; effects of the trial; story of formation of Freedom Press Defence Committee to collect funds and support the defendants; comments on publication of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' (1945); attitude of George Orwell towards Anarchists; reaction to result of General Election, 7/1945; impact of Freedom Press trial on life; description of articles written for War Commentary during military service; presence of Spanish internees in GB during Second World War; problem of delay in demobilisation.
REEL 6 Continues: Post-war life and career: further comments on demobilisation; story of riots in military prisons after war caused by failure to implement amnesty policy; effect of war on liberation, social class and Anarchism; changing relationship between violence and Anarchism; relations between feminists and Anarchists; summary of career; question of experiencing discrimination due to Anarchist beliefs; opinion of Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament; story of death of brother-in-law Roderick Barry while working in coal mine; summary of Anarchist beliefs; opinion of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
