Description
Object description
British private served with 16th Bn Welch Regt in GB and on Western Front, 1915-1916; NCO served as driver of water carts with Army Service Corps on Western Front, 1917-1918
Content description
REEL 1: Background in Cardiff, Wales; family; education; employment as printer; memory of relief of Mafeking, 1900; reaction to outbreak of war and question of volunteering, 8/1914; story of enlistment with 16th Bn Welch Regt, 12/1914; medical examination and problem of having only one eye; reaction of parents. Aspects of training with 16th Bn Welch Regt in GB, 1915: posted to Colwyn Bay and description of basic training including machine guns; problem of false teeth; question of uniform; attitude to army life and discipline; amusing story of baths; further training in Winchester and role as No. 2 in machine gun team; opinion of officers; recreational activities and relations with local civilians; posted to Hazel Down camp and opinion of accommodation and food; memory of send-off from Cardiff; story of journey to France and problem of seasickness. Recollections of operations with 16th Bn Welch Regt on Western Front, 1915-1916: description of journey from Rouen to Givenchy, Somme area, France; first impressions of trenches and problem of obtaining rations; story of man killed on parapet; description of trench system; sleeping arrangements; memory of 21st birthday; daily routine; story of death of Bn CO.
REEL 2 Continues: story of accidental shooting in trenches; story of role in repairing wire at night; problem of boredom; memory of finding skeleton; daily routine in and out of line; amusing story of souvenir; personal hygiene and shaving; problem of lice; description of role in attack on Mametz Wood, Somme, 7/Jul/1916; memory of shelling; description of Mametz Wood and surrounding area; memory of going over top and advance across No Man's Land; description of being wounded in leg and taking shelter in shell hole; loss of consciousness and medical treatment; memory of German fire from Mametz Wood and copses; question of smoke screen; role as No.2 in machine gun team; further description of leg wound and medical treatment.
REEL 3 Continues: description of journey from Mametz Wood to Southampton, GB; memory of 'Woodbine Willie'. Aspects of period in GB, 1916-1917: attitude to returning to GB; memory of Gracie Fields concert in Rochdale; opinion of medical treatment; posted to Kinmel Park, Wales. Recollections of operations as driver with Army Service Corps on Western Front, 1917-1918: description of role as driver of water carts; story of attack by plane; method of filling water tanks; story of hearing news of Armistice and memory of French civilians. 11/1918; description of terrain in Somme area; memory of visit to Mametz Wood, 1987; demobilized, 2/1919; reflections on period of military service; further description of living conditions on Western Front; opinion of rations; rum ration; cigarettes.
REEL 4 Continues: communication with home; washing facilities; amusing story of rat; role as bearer at funerals; problem of trench foot and care of feet; question of physical condition; memory of remains of soldier in sandbag; attitude to medal awards; opinion of French; question of Welsh identity; opinion of Lloyd George; memory of visit by Prince of Wales; story of boots.
