Boardman, Arthur Douglas (Oral history)

British NCO served with No 4 Independent Coy in GB and Norway, 1940; served with No 4 Special Service Bn, Special Service Bde in GB and Malta, 1941-1942

REEL 1 Background in Newton le Willows, GB, 1920-1939: family; education; employment; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939; reasons for joining Territorial Army. Aspects of operations as NCO with Support Section, No 4 Independent Coy in GB and Norway, 1940: background to joining No 4 Independent Coy, early 1940; move to Norway; equipment in Support Section; retreat to Bodo, Norway and evacuation to GB; contact with Norwegian civilians; situation in Norway, 5/1940; training in Scotland; move to Sandwich area, summer 1940. Aspects of period as NCO with No 4 Special Service Bn, Special Service Bde in GB, 1940: formation of Special Service Bns; submarine course in Holy Loch, 1940. Recollections of voyage aboard Bonaventure from GB to Malta, 12/1940-1/1941: attack on convoy by German raider Admiral Hipper in Atlantic on route to Malta, 25/12/1940; sinking of German merchantman by HMS Bonaventure REEL 2 Continues: Axis air attacks on convoy in Mediterranean, 1/1941. Aspects of period as NCO with No 4 Special Service Bn, Special Service Bde on Malta, 1941-1942: arrival in Malta; plans for raid on Italy; plans to attack Axis supply route in Italy; return to GB, 1942; reasons for leaving unit in GB; question of being returned to unit. Question of contrast between regulars and territorial army personnel in British Army.