Verrall, Edgar (Oral history)

British gunner served with 4th (Sussex) Bty Royal Field Artillery in GB and India, 1913-1916; served with 222nd (Kent) Bty Royal Field Artillery in Mesopotamia, 1916-1918

REEL 1: Background in Eastbourne, 1895-1913: employment. Aspects of period with 4th (Sussex) Bty Royal Field Artillery in GB, 1913-1914: story of enlistment and description of training with 15-pounder guns; daily routine including care of horses; reaction to outbreak of war and mobilization, 4/Aug/1914; story of requisitioning horses in Eastbourne and problem of forming gun teams; memory of hauling ammunition boxes from Newhaven Fort; movements of 4th Bty and volunteering for overseas service, 10/1914. Recollections of operations with 4th (Sussex) Bty Royal Field Artillery in India, 1914-1916: description of journey to India via Egypt and Aden, 10-12/1914; memory of loading guns at Southampton; opinion of accommodation aboard ship; arrival in Bombay, India, 12/1914; memory of party for Bty given by Viceroy; gun drill and further training at Ambala, Jullunda and Rawlpindi; opinion of India and attitude to Indians; question of superiority of British to Indians; memory of sign 'No Dogs or English soldiers'; attitude to discipline; posted to Mesopotamia, 1916. REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations with 222nd (Kent) Bty Royal Field Artillery in Mesopotamia, 1916-1918: description of journey from Bombay to Mesopotamia. 8/1916; accommodation in tents at Basra; climate and terrain; moved by barge along River Tigris to Amara; role in unloading hospital boats at docks; description of march to Aligherbi and further training; memory of crossing River Tigris; question of never encountering Turks; further comments on terrain and climate; kit and clothing; problem of heat and insects; memory of swimming in river; memory of Christmas 1916 in Basra; moved to Feluga and training with 18-pounder guns; role in stores, 4/1917; description of 500 mile road journey from Amara to Baghdad, summer 1917; problem of Arab raids on camps; memory of Arch of Ctesiphon; nature of terrain; description of passing through Baghdad 8/1917; description of role in Battle of Ramadi, 9/1917; question of location of 222nd Bty and liaison with infantry; memory of Turkish surrender; story of contracting dysentery and medical treatment; problem of weight loss. REEL 3 Continues: attitude to Turks; opinion of rations; memory of eating water melons and dates; canteen facilities; water supplies; opinion of medical care; nature of transportation; communications with home; story of cigarettes being forbidden on marches but pipes allowed; description of air activity; recreational activities; story of beer; posted back to India, 1/1918; memory of Armistice celebrations at Rawlpindi, 11/Nov/1918; demobilization and problem of influenza epidemic, 4/1919; story of four brothers in war; reflections on period of service and question of comradeship.