Description
Object description
British sapper served as wireless operator and despatch rider with Royal Engineers Signal Section on Western Front, 1917-1918, including wireless operator on Field Marshal Haig's train, 1918
Content description
REEL 1: Background in Birmingham: story of attempting to enlist with Royal Engineers, 10/1916; posted to Worcester Regt, Norton Barracks, Worcester. Aspects of training as wireless operator with Royal Engineers in GB, 1916-1917: transferred to Royal Engineers Signals Section; issued with uniform and kit; Signal Section identified by blue and white armbands; Morse code; wireless sets; basic infantry training; drill; route marches; musketry; recreational activities as piano player in YMCA: daily routine; messing arrangements; opinion of food; billets in house; route marches in Worcester; tests; physical training and sporting activities; word speed in Morse; posted to France, 9/1917; embarked Newhaven.
REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations as wireless operator and despatch rider with Royal Engineers Signal Section on Western Front, 1917-1918; disembarked at Le Havre; base camp at Abbeville; accommodation in huts; peripatetic nature of wireless section; messing arrangements; attached to machine gun section, Grenadier Guards; location for wireless aerial; attached to 17th Lancers; memory of dead horses; transportation in trucks; summary of movements around Abbeville; story of meeting brother; problem of rats; German booby traps; attached to Life Guards near St Pol; description of 'spark set' wireless set; story of fishing at Abbeville; story of German ammunition dumps and jam tin bombs; posted to Wimereux, France; accommodation and sleeping arrangements.
REEL 3 Continues: memories of home leave in Birmingham, 1918; military operations in St Pol sector; sleeping under trucks; story of eating breakfast rations; problem of lice; story of German railway gun at Cappy; story of baths at Guillemont Farm and learning French from local civilian; further memories of home leave in Birmingham and return to France; bought Kodak camera; story of riding motorcycle for first time and delivering message to Royal Engineers HQ, St Pol.
REEL 4 Continues: appointed relief despatch rider; description of uniform and kit; story of NCO selling petrol to French civilians; duties as wireless operator and despatch rider; communication with other Royal Engineer units; use of message WRU (where are you); memories of Boulogne; use of Kodak camera in France; appointed permanent despatch rider and issued with Triumph motorcycle; story of receiving news of Armistice, 11/11/1918; description of Armistice celebrations in Boulogne; story of brewery.
REEL 5 Continues: returned to camp at Wimereux; reflections on end of war. Aspects of period as wireless operator aboard Field Marshal Haig's train, 11-12/1918: story of being selected for special assignment; description of train and accommodation; opinion of CW (continuous wave) wireless set; operation of CW set sending and receiving messages; food; route of train across France; use of six special trains to carry Allied senior military commanders each flying national flag; description of crossing France in train and encounters with troops; stopped at Metz station and erected aerial; transmission of messages and use of codes; Armistice celebrations in Metz, 11/11/1918; opinion of facilities on Haig's train; memory of meeting Douglas Haig; reason for hostile reception from civilians in Strasbourg; returned to Boulogne.
REEL 6 Continues: returned to camp at Wimereux. Aspects of period as wireless operator and despatch rider with Royal Engineers Signal Section on Western Front, 1918-1919: daily routine and duties; question of using camera on Haig's train; recreational activities; story of CO's missing Triumph motorcycle and court martial; further comments on operating CW wireless set; jamming signals; story of problem with kick-start handle on Triumph motorcycle; 48 hours leaves; demobilised, 10/1919; story of taking German bayonet back to GB as souvenir.