Description
Object description
British officer commanded Abbey Wood, Dartford, Coombe Hill and Castle Bromwich Anti-Aircraft Stations, Royal Garrison Artillery in GB, 1915-1918; served with mobile artillery battery in Italy, 1918
Content description
REEL 1: Background in Dorking and London, 1892-1913: problem of health; education and military training; description of further education in electrical engineering at Imperial College London; question of joining Territorial Army. Apprenticeship with British Westinghouse Company, Manchester, 1913-1914. Reaction to outbreak of war, 4/Aug/1914: story of offer of commission in Royal Engineers and recruitment to Royal Engineers detachment of Royal Naval Division, 9/1914; posted to Martin Mill Camp, Walmer, 9/1914. Description of training with Royal Engineers in GB, 9-12/1914.
REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of training with Royal Garrison Artillery in GB, 12/1914-5/1915: commissioned into Royal Garrison Artillery and posted to Falmouth, Cornwall; description of training on 6-inch guns; daily routine and recreational activities; posted to Shoeburyness for further training, 5/1915. Aspects of period in command of Abbey Wood Anti-Aircraft Station, 7/1915-1/1916: description of station and location; Cornish background of gunners; relations between officers and other ranks; daily routine and duties; story of Royal Naval officer and Cross Ness pumping station.
REEL 3 Continues: reaction to Zeppelin raid and bombs. Aspects of period in command of Dartford Anti-Aircraft Station, 1-11/1916: story of shooting down Zeppelin and commemorative medal; description of 3-inch guns and location; daily routine and conditions; problem of rats at Abbey Wood Station; Zeppelin raids and co-operation with searchlight battery; use of box barrage; rate of fire; duties of gun crew and morale.
REEL 4 Continues: frequency of Zeppelin raids; inspections of Station; relations with senior officers. Aspects of period in command of Coombe Hill Anti-Aircraft Station, 11/1916-12/1917: description of guns used at Station; comparison of 77mm and 3-inch guns; ammunition supplies; description of accommodation in huts; relations with gunners; recreational and sporting activities; role of Anti-Aircraft Station.
REEL 5 Continues: question of danger to civilians and reliability of shells and guns. Posted to Windsor Anti-Aircraft Station, 11/1917. Aspects of period in command of Castle Bromwich Anti-Aircraft Station, 11/1917-3/1918: description of arrival at Station and personnel; frequency of air raids; attitude to discipline; gunnery course. Aspects of period as gunnery instructor at School of Gunnery, Isle of Wight, 3-6/1918: story of requesting posting as gunnery instructor and nature of duties. Aspects of operations with V Battery in Italy, 6-10/1918: posted as battery second-in-command; description of journey to Verona area, Italy; living conditions; transport; relations with Italian civilians; and military personnel.
REEL 6 Continues: memory of Italian Count; drinking habits; relations with Italian civilians; moved to Treviso, 5/Nov/1918. Aspects of period in Italy, 11/1918-2/1919: billeted with priest; daily routine and recreational activities including gambling; description of journey to GB and demobilisation, 3/1919.
REEL 7 Continues: Post-war life and employment. Aspects of period as NCO with Sutton Park Anti-Aircraft Station, GB, 1940-1945: question of commission; problem of inexperienced personnel at Station.