Francis, John Leonard (Oral history)

Sound: © IWM (9962)

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Sound: © IWM (9962)

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
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Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
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Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
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Sound: © IWM (9962)

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

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Sound: © IWM (9962)

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

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Description

Object description

British NCO served with 38th Engineer Regt, Royal Engineers on Christmas Island, Gilbert Islands, 1957-1958

Content description

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1938-1957: family; education; enlistment in Royal Engineers, 1956. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Dunera from GB to Christmas Island, Gilbert Islands, 1957: proposed role of unit on Christmas Island; embarkation at Southampton; conditions on board; ashore in Curaçao; negotiating Panama Canal; crossing Pacific. Recollections of period as NCO with 38th Engineer Regt, Royal Engineers on Christmas Island, Gilbert Islands, 1957-1958: first impressions of island; life in tented camp; problems with insect life. REEL 2 Continues: limited social activities; Motor Transport Section work he did; plans for first nuclear test and escape routes; a case of absence without leave; description of first test experienced; aftermath of test and state of health at time; removal of Gilbert Islanders to HMT Dunera; preparations for second test; witnessing second test. REEL 3 Continues: story of escorting prisoner to Singapore, Federation of Malaya via Brisbane, Australia in Handley Page Hastings; return flight back to Christmas Island via Australia; cobalt bomb test; question of his being used a 'guinea pig' and lack of effects; sight of injured birds. REEL 4 Continues: re-entering explosion zone after tests; recreational activities and attitude to leaving island; return journey to GB; reception on arrival in GB.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1945-1989 (production), 1945-1989 (content), 1945-1989 (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
Wood, Conrad (Recorder)
Francis, John Leonard (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 1987-09-12
Dimensions: whole: Duration 120, Number Of Items 4
Catalogue number: 9962

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

Francis, John Leonard
British Army, Royal Engineers
British Army, Royal Engineers, Engineer Regt, 38
Merchant Navy, HMT Dunera, Troopship, (1937)
Associated places

England, United Kingdom
Woolwich, London, England, United Kingdom
Southampton, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom
Christmas Island, Gilbert Islands, Gilbert and Ellice Islands
Pacific Ocean
Federation of Malaya
Singapore, Federation of Malaya
Australia
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Panama Canal, Panama
Curaçao
Associated keywords

Nuclear Warfare
Associated themes

Cold War, 1945-1991: Nuclear Weapons, Protest and Testing, 1945-1991

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Object Details

Object associations

Associated people and organisations

Associated places

Associated keywords

Associated themes

Our collections information