McLane, Martin (Oral history)

British NCO served with 5th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers in GB, 1929-1932; NCO served with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1932-1938; NCO served with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West GB, Europe, India and Burma, 1939-1945; NCO served with 4th (Holding) Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1946; NCO served in POW Camps in GB, 1947-1949; NCO served with Army School of Cookery in GB, 1949; NCO served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1950-1951; NCO served with 1st and 2nd Bns Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1952; NCO served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry from 1952

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Byker area, Newcastle upon Tyne, GB, 1912-1932: family circumstances and father's unemployment difficulties as hand riveter; scavenging for coal; mother's death from blood poisoning, c1926; rented terraced house accommodation; father's means tested unemployment money; risk of malnutrition and provision of school dinners; shoes and clothing; community spirit; childrens' street games; education; effects of First World War, 1914-1918, including impact of casualties; presence and send off given Northumberland Fusiliers training in area, providing billets for soldiers and uncle's death after leg amputation. REEL 2 Continues: effects of First World War, 1914-1918, including view of Zeppelin raid; Armistice street parties and bonfires across Newcastle; search for work on leaving school, 1926; background to refusal of work as machine riveter at Swan Hunter shipyard due to father's status as hand riveter; work as factory hand at engineering foundry until redundancy during miners' strike, 1927; factory work in Gateshead, 1927-1932; rugby and sporting activities; Boy Scout's activities; mother's funeral, 1926; question of being put in children home; role in caring for family. Recollections of recruitment and training with 5th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers at Walker Drill Hall, Church Street, Newcastle, 1929-1932: reasons; procedure; uniform; rifle training. REEL 3 Continues: rifle maintenance and training; Lewis gun training; drill; route marches; bayonet drill; grenade lectures; weekend firing range course; territorial bounty payment; absence of gas drill; annual summer camps; demonstration from regular platoon; illustration of scouting role in intelligence section during exercises; nature of intelligence section training; application to be transferred to Vickers machine gun section and attending course. REEL 4 Continues: Vickers machine gun course including elevation and ranging, firing methods practised on range and method of carrying and setting up position; relationship with officers, NCOs, instructors and other ranks; sporting activities. Background of recruitment to Durham Light Infantry, 9/1932: redundancy from gear making factory; refusal on height grounds from Tank Corps; medical and written tests. REEL 5 Continues: Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle and daily routine during training with Salamanca Squad, Durham Light Infantry Depot, Fenham Barracks, Newcastle, 9/1932-2/1933: barrack accommodation; kitting out and standard method of laying it out; typhus inoculation; uniform and kit maintenance; basic drill and saluting; ban on civilian clothes; rejection of inadequate recruits and suits issued; reaction to army lifestyle; nightly kit inspections and consequent privileges and punishments; mess orderly duties and disputes over food; fights over prevalence of swearing; beatings administered to thieves; relationship with fellow other ranks and team spirit; officers' lectures on regimental history and administration. REEL 6 Continues: pay and deductions; reveille; breakfast; kit inspection; 3rd class education certificate training; physical training and boxing; increasing loyalty to Durham Light Infantry; uniforms; learning to put kit on; rifle and bayonet training; heavy infantry pace used in initial training; lunch and orderly's role in giving out food; adequacy of rations; gymnasium. REEL 7 Continues: shared gymnasium with Northumberland Fusiliers; tea; cleaning barracks; stealing incident; rugby activities; adaptation to Durham Light Infantry greatcoats and special cap; inspection prior to pass out to visit family; attending Catholic church; preparations for commanding officer's kit inspection and parades; posting to 1st Battalion at Catterick Camp, 2/1933. REEL 8 Continues: Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle, training and daily routine with 10 Platoon, C Company, 1st Bn, Durhm Light Infantry at Catterick Camp, 2/1933-11/1934: reception; first impressions and contrast with Fenham Depot; posting specially to join battalion rugby team; arrival of rest of camp; recollections of Sergeant Cowell and story of wearing his uniform for photograph; role of 1st Battalion as feeder for 2nd Battalion in India; individual and tactical training as platoon; company training and tactical formations used; route marches, drill parades, church parades and question of use of light infantry pace; 2nd Class Education Certificate training; rugby activities; battalion training under Colonel Greenwood. REEL 9 Continues: battalion training and acting as Greenwood's runner; brigade training; army manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain disrupted by weather, 8/1934: experimental uniforms and kit issued; scouting role following amphibious exercise landing from HMS Lucia at Hornsea; posting to Intelligence Section; organisation and training of Intelligence Section; trench warfare training; practical weapons training including hand grenades at ranges; gas training; opinion of training; period preparing sports ground at Hipswell; assignment to garrison fire brigade, duties at camp cinema and desire to return to battalion duties. REEL 10 Continues: dislike of fire brigade duties and return to battalion duties; extra guard and sentry duty drill; sporting activities and physical fitness test; effects of promotion to lance corporal including reaction, section duties and need to maintain distance from privates; purpose of sand table lectures; shooting course on ranges, 8/1934, including skill with revolver, winning champion company competition and light infantry pace employed during march back to Catterick; inter-linked stories of battalion leave period at Catterick Camp, 8/1934, including decision not to take leave, duties as company and battalion orderly corporal supervising rear details, desertion of returned military prisoner Private Gill, opinion of military prisons, arrival and unofficial accommodation of brothers, barrack room fight and arrest of Gill. REEL 11 Continues: inter-linked stories of battalion leave period at Catterick Camp, 8/1934, including Gill's assault on Colonel Churchill, sick parade inspection of battalion orderly corporal, acting as witness at Gill's court martial and prior run through of evidence; story of being put on charge for fighting during night exercise; duties on defaulters and assistance of friends in preparing kit for inspection to avoid further charges; selection of 'stick' man following officer's inspection of uniform, kit and rifle on guard duty. REEL 12 Continues: guard duties; relationship between NCOs and other ranks and general lack of bullying; NCOs responsibility for discipline, weapons training and drill; use of junior NCOs cadre system; officers' responsibility for overall supervision, inspection of standards and tactical training; question of financial improprieties amongst NCOs and officers; canteen 'chits' system. REEL 13 Continues: canteen 'chit' system; case of misappropriations from Regimental Association funds following its establishment in 1933; general absence of financial co-operation; attending Vickers machine gun course as acting corporal at Small Arms School, Netheravon, 10/1934, including comparison of Durham Light Infantry's standards of appearance with other troops, value of territorial training, handicap of 'Geordie' accent, exercise on Salisbury Plain and course results; conversion of unit to experimental machine gun battalion on move to Blackdown Camp, 11/1934; success of Vickers training; increasing mechanisation of unit; subsequent end of mechanisation experiment, 1936. Recollections of period as third instructor to Salamanca Squad at Durham Light Infantry Depot, Fenham Barracks, Newcastle, 1935: reactions to posting; responsibility for barrack rooms, kit and recruits' appearance; polishing and burnishing of tables. REEL 14 Continues: barrack room improvements; extra drill sessions; reasons for early promotion to corporal; dispute over training methods. Period with C Company, 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry at Blackdown Camp, 1935: unarmed Austin 7s issued as scout cars on conversion to reconnaissance unit; passing driving course; car crash during reconnaissance exercise and subsequent punishment; Bren Gun training. REEL 15 Continues: Recollections of period with 2nd Bn, Durham Light Infantry at Woking Barracks, 1938-9/1939: background to posting on move of 1st Battalion to China, 1938: role as NCO of band boys; music practice; dispute with other NCOs over band boys' smoking; transfer to D Company and subsequent incident of band boys' indiscipline; course in 3" mortars at Netheravon; method of firing 3" mortar; posting to Mortar Platoon, Headquarters Company; quality of mortar platoon other ranks; promotion to lance sergeant; assignment of mobilisation store 3" mortars to another unit and inferiority of mortars subsequently issued; background to marriage, 11/1938. REEL 16 Continues: background to marriage and subsequent celebrations; married quarters provision; wife's return to Newcastle during difficult pregnancy; attitude to approach of war and Hitler; story illustrating British lack of tanks; inadequacy of Boyes Anti-Tank Rifle; reactions to introduction of conscripts; 48 hours compassionate leave to visit wife, 5/9/1939; role as part of embarkation advance party; emergency vacation of married quarters and consequent loss of belongings, wife's continued ill health and disillusionment with army. Role in advance party in crossing to St Nazaire, France, ca 6/9/1939. REEL 17 Continues: carelessness of British stevedores; impressions of French troops and civilians; unloading ship at Nantes; rejoining unit at Nomaine. Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle, and daily routine at Nomaine, 9/1939-5/1940: billets; preparation of defences including mortar positions on Belgian border; routine guard duty and standard of appearance expected; fume danger from billet heating; food rations and supplements; pay and deductions; visits to Douai cinema; question of troops visits to Douai brothels and its value to morale; visits to estaminets; story of French mayor's visit to sergeants mess. REEL 18 Continues: relationship with French troops and civilians; sergeants' mess; drinking habits; disciplinary punishments; delayed issue of battledress uniforms by quartermaster; letter contacts with GB; Wellington boots sent from GB; promotion to platoon sergeant major of Mortar Platoon; improved billets; reaction of other NCOs to McLane's relative youth; organisation of Headquarters Company and opinion of Captain Mann and Major Simpson; incident whilst digging anti tank ditch; state of morale; German air raid on Douai, 5/1940; refusal of French to allow radio networking. Period on detachment to checkpoint duty at Mouchin border post, Belgium, 5/1940: absence of orders; return to unit. REEL 19 Continues: Recollections of preparation of defensive positions and subsequent German attack at La Tombe on River Dyle, 11/5/1940-15/5/1940: situation; establishing mortar position despite opposition from Mann; problem with unserviceable mortar and quartermaster's inability to secure tripod; Mann's responsibility for sending essential equipment back to B Echelon and consequent problems; German mortar fire on ammunition party; successful use of mortars and subsequent change in officers' attitude; view of 2nd Lieutenant Richard Annand's actions in defending bridge and capturing German pill box; account of accidentally mortaring Royal Welch Fusiliers during their counter attack including initial suicidal reaction and question of shared responsibility with Simpson; use of horse and milk float to move mortar during retreat; personal morale. REEL 20 Continues: question of unit state of readiness for war. Recollections of retreat from River Dyle to St Venant/Rochelle, 16/5/1940-25/5/1940: reactions to orders to retreat; route out of valley; fatigue; temporary detachment to C Company; absence of orders for 3" mortar platoon; lack of briefing for ranks below company commanders; lack of anti-tank weapons; destruction of mortar and transfer of platoon to D Company; inadequacy of pre war command system; opinion of unit performance in action; absence of suitable maps; opinion of French troops; rearguard defensive positions and lack of anti tank weapons; foraging for food. Account of battle in defensive positions at St Venant/Rochelle and subsequent retreat, 26/5/1940-27/5/1940: situation; preparing defensive positions and reluctance to use French civilians homes; reconnaissance activities; wounding of Colonel Gregson. REEL 21 Continues: organising assistance for Gregson; appointment as second in command of D Coy and reactions of senior Platoon Sergeant Majors; report from night reconnaissance patrol that Germans had crossed La Bassee Canal; ammunition shortages; German artillery barrage; troops' attitude to facing German tank attack; shooting at German infantry; story illustrating Lieutenant J W Rudd's inadequacies on arrival; retreat of right flank battalion and ex mortar platoon; casualties; refusal to counter-attack; giving order to retreat; method of retirement in rushes; inactivity of machine gun section; moving through Nieppe Forest; meeting B Echelon transport and their lack of co-operation; story of meeting unit not involved in fighting, criticism from their officer and their subsequent retirement without warning overnight; rejoining Battalion Headquarters; state of morale; Rudd's refusal to take responsibility as an officer. REEL 22 Continues: situation on rejoining remnants of battalion. Recollections of retreat from River Dyle to St Venant/Rochelle, 16/5/1940-25/5/1940: effect of bombing at Brussels; surprise at failure to employ defensive positions at Nomaine; defensive positions at Tournai and explosion of Albert Canal bridge; situation of Belgian refugees. Recollections of retreat from Nieppe Forest to Poperinghe, ca 27/5/1940-28/5/1940: single file formation; abandonment by Rudd and senior NCOs; reactions to news of evacuation planned via Dunkirk; lift in lorries; exhausted troops; abandoned vehicles, equipment and horses; situation at Poperinghe and German air attacks. REEL 23 Continues: Recollections of retreat from Poperinghe to Dunkirk, 28/5/1940: abandoned vehicles; situation of Belgian refugees under air attack; foraging for food. Account of involvement in defence of Dunkirk, 28/5/1940-1/6/1940: situation on beach; digging in; dispute with French over efforts to destroy lorry; organising impromptu unit and decision to retain weapons and equipment; German air supremacy and question of absence of support during campaign from RAF; serious dispute with officers over orders to return to defend perimeter; opinion of officers' performance in action; forming, arming and commanding impromptu company from retreating elements of Durham Light Infantry and other troops to defend outer canal Poperinghe road bridge under supervision of Cameron Highlanders; review of Durham Light Infantry units present at Dunkirk; officers' refusal to join company; organising defensive positions. REEL 24 Continues: Sergeant Bob Bulmer's role in foraging for food; rescue of brigade major and Durham Light Infantry quartermaster; defensive preparations; relief by French marines and return to Dunkirk beach with Cameron Highlanders; situation on beach; reporting to Headquarters of 6th Brigade; presence of B Echelon personnel and reaction to their refusal to join mixed platoon of Durham Light Infantry, Royal Berkshire Regiment and Royal Welch Fusiliers under McLane to defend Poperinghe road bridge on inner perimeter canal; preparing defensive positions and use of 25pdr gun; order from Brigadier Lawson to divert French troops to another bridge and consequent dispute with French officer; blocking bridge with truck; getting food from Cameron Highlanders; handing out food and rum to stragglers; meeting Major McBain; introduction by Lawson to French Brigadier Fagalde and their orders to defuse bridge demolition charge. REEL 25 Continues: defusing bridge demolition charge; distributing food to stragglers; dumping ammonol found in lorry; destroying abandoned transport; suppressing threat of mutiny from non Durham Light Infantry sections of platoon; presence of Cameron Highlanders moved back into line; officer's unwillingness to take responsibility; reaction to absence of German attack including possible role of Durham Light Infantry counterattack at Arras; return to Dunkirk; opinion of French and Belgians troops; discipline of Coldstream Guards; helping establish first aid post; machine gunned ambulances; situation at Dunkirk; failure of attempt to evacuate from Dunkirk mole 6/1940 including loss of ships and effect of shell fire on mole. REEL 26 Continues: situation following day; evacuation from Dunkirk mole on HMS Silvarros; retention of personal weapons; ignorance of destination. Reception at Dover, train journey to Aldershot and initial period in camp, 6/1940: notification of family; regret at disposal of Boyes Anti-Tank Rifle; personal morale and symptoms of shell shock; value of alcohol as relaxant; surrendering personal weapons under protest. Recollections of period at Huddersfield, GB, 6/1940: concentration of remnants of unit remnants; civic reception; billets; interest in accounts of Dunkirk; meeting with Quartermaster Pearson; reaction to casualties; reinforcement drafts and attitude of some NCOs. REEL 27 Continues: reinforcement drafts and attitude of some NCOs; opinion of national servicemen; officer's new regulation over forage caps; disillusionment over Hanmers attitude to possible medal for McLane; relationship with new and old officers. Recollections of period in Bridlington area, GB, 6/1940-9/1941: unit dispositions; initial position and activities of Headquarters Company at Carnoy; story of dispute with Regimental Sergeant Major Rafferty over use of phrase 'Dunkirk runners'; story of reception from civilians during visit to pub and being given password for free phone calls to wife; cinema visits, reaction to Dunkirk, D-Day and Desert Victory newsreels and opinion that film of troops in action was faked. REEL 28 Continues: resentment over promotion of NCO proved inadequate in action; billets; meeting Richard Annand following award of Victoria Cross; story of emergency stand to including failure to find Regiment Sergeant Major and state of defences, 15/9/1940; attachment to C Company on Hamilton Hill and dispute with Colonel Wiehe over siting of defensive positions; account of shooting incident on Hamilton Hill, 2/7/1940, including unofficially allowing soldiers to visit pub whilst on Hamilton Hill, unrelated relief as platoon commander by officer, fatal shooting incident during stand to, subsequent police investigation, arrest of deserter and earlier arrest of soldier for hitting Royal Welch Fusiliers officer in pub. REEL 29 Continues: account of shooting incident on Hamilton Hill, 2/7/1940, including police explanation of accidental nature of shooting, unrelated case of desertion, reason for replacement by officer as platoon commander and being put under house arrest; subsequent justification of defensive positions sited on Hamilton Hill; absence of officers; method of wiring and mining beach and story of fatal accident to brigadier; re-equipment; news of introduction of sticky grenades; exoneration by coroner over shooting incident on Hamilton Hill, 2/7/1940; delayed promotion and reaction; issue of new 3" mortars; participation in review as to function and composition of 3" mortar platoons; winter billets in Bridlington. REEL 30 Continues: ammunition stores including Molotov cocktails at billets; giving weapons training to local Home Guard unit, near accident with mortar bomb and opinion of military efficiency; patrol to enforce night curfew; bombing raid on Bridlington and refusal of permission to open fire; forced march to exercise at Saltburn; problems in mortar platoon with bad marchers; 'O' Groups; lack of communication on appointment of new officer to command mortar platoon; relationship with officers and opinion of Colonel Wiehe; question of division of responsibility between officers and platoon sergeant; relationship with civilians; unexploded bomb incident. REEL 31 Continues: mobile exercise using Canadian transport; lack of effective street fighting exercises; promotion to company sergeant major and move to A Company; hut accommodation; mobile role and exercises using Canadian transport; role as Company Sergeant Major including maintaining company's nominal role, drill and discipline, responsibility for ammunition and work in company office; story of dispute with company commander over treatment of junior officers; dispute over training priorities and assignment to train Pickering Home Guard; continued threat of invasion. Period at Bury St Edmunds, 1941: posting as mechanised unit with 127 Brigade, 42nd Division; question of driving aptitude tests; dispute with company commander over conduct of Company Sergeant Major's parade. REEL 32 Continues: dispute with company commander over conduct of Company Sergeant Major's parade and demotion to Platoon Sergeant Major of Headquarters Company; period on detachment to 127 Brigade Headquarters near Thetford, 1941, including maintaining personal fitness, background to promotion to Company Sergeant Major and role improving hygiene, drill and discipline of Headquarters troops; rejoining unit as Platoon Sergeant Major; end of unit mechanised role on return to 2nd Division at Rillington, 10/1941; preparations for posting overseas, 10/1942-4/1942. Recollections of voyage on Empress of India to Cape Town, South Africa, 4/1942: ignorance of destination; dispute over allocation of space for Reserve Company; NCOs' accommodation; food rations; opinion of Colonel Stobart; training, lectures and observation game; submarine watch procedure; seasickness; bingo. REEL 33 Continues: memorising company personnel; attitude of draft from Liverpool to Durham Light Infantry; seasickness. Period at Cape Town, South Africa, 5/1942: visit ashore and punishment for soldiers returning late; reception from local civilians; training at Retreat Camp; route march; swimming. First impressions on arrival of Empress of India at Bombay, India, 6/1942. Story of deserter whilst at Cape Town, 5/1942. Recollections of period at Ahmednagar, 6/1942-11/1942: prior impressions of Bombay; difficulties in securing pay and supplies from Indian government; shortage of petrol and temporary use of bullock transport; initial pre-war style training and dress conventions; return to full training; course in battle drill, its methods and training unit; conversion to amphibious battalion and combined operations training at Kharakvasla, 9/1942; jungle training at Thana, ca 10/1942, including map reading and compass directed marches. REEL 34 Continues: jungle training at Thana, 10/1942, including compass reading and directional methods, snake problem, ban on drinking water on march, nature of bamboo, use and reliability of machetes, 'shit' beetle problem, mosquito problem and precautions, attack of malaria and brief hospitalisation, jungle tactics and communications; use of steel helmets; food and water rations; heat exhaustion symptoms and use of salt in water; order of feeding by rank on active service; Indian servants' duties and 'char wallah'; impressions of Ahmednagar and Indian civilians. REEL 35 Continues: relationship with Indian civilians; accidents during practice night assaults on Indian villages; ill trained reinforcement draft from East Yorkshire Regiment; opinion of National Servicemen and comparison of unit in 1939 and 1942; sporting activities; successful attempt to improve military standards in Reserve Company typified by improvement on guard duty; Colonel Stobart's posting after dispute with brigadier over guard inspections; reorganisation of officers and NCOs including posting as Company Sergeant Major of C Company and dispersal of Reserve Coy; question of rapid promotion in base camps of NCOs not suitable for active service; question of contact with Anglo Indian and English civilians; leave in Bombay; rejection of opportunity to become officer and friend's acceptance. REEL 36 Continues: friend's commission after initial rejection. Period at Juhu Beach, 11/1942-12/1942: initial impressions and establishing camp with advance party; swimming lessons; landing craft training; drowning of Captain Lyster-Todd and auction of his effects for relatives benefit; issue of Thompson machine guns including maintenance training, advantages and story of breech explosion during test firing. Return to Ahmednagar and formation of Independent Brigade, 12/1942. Recollections of train journey to Calcutta, 12/1942. REEL 37 Continues: reactions to Indian beggars; rations; impromptu showers and prickly heat problem; railway stations; use of derzi mats. Troopship voyage to Arakan, 12/1942. Recollections of period at Chittagong, Arakan, 1/1942-3/1942: preparations for amphibious attack on Akyab Island; refusal of sailors to co-operate in security precautions; issue of battledress khaki drill; problem with red ants; learning unpleasant Japanese expressions; problems with snakes; inadequacy of machetes; abandonment of Akyab landing plan due to shortage of landing craft and inadequacy of rowing boats and motor boats in tidal waters; rescue of soldier in water by Colonel Theobalds; situation; appropriateness of British equipment for jungle fighting; story of officers joke in getting McLane drunk. REEL 38 Continues: Recollections of night march to relieve Indian troops in Mayu Peninsula, 3/1943: British troops' opinion of Japanese troops; marching problems exacerbated by hangover; halts. Recollections of initial operations in Donbaik sector, Mayu Peninsula, 3/1943: assessment of quality of ammunition and grenades issued; instructions not to open fire unless absolutely necessary; reserve positions; terrain and nature of Japanese defensive positions; failure of Royal Welch Fusiliers attack and absence of debriefing procedure; failure of tank attack; failure of Thompson sub-machine guns during guerrilla platoon's attack on Japanese supply line at Foul Point; consequent replacement of all small arms ammunition with that produced at Kirkee Arsenal; suspicions over quality of brass used; attack by Japanese patrol. Account of failure of attack by C Coy on Japanese defensive positions Sugar Loaf 4 and 5, 18/3/1943: situation and McLane's position with C Company Headquarters; failure of McLanes Thompson machine gun; failure of rifle and Bren ammunition; communication with battalion HQ; wounding of Major Hutton. REEL 39 Continues: helping Hutton back; failure to get rum ration prior to attack; communication with Battalion Headquarters; near miss from shell and damage to radio; reconnaissance of position; description of nature of fault in Bren guns and rifles caused by faulty ammunition; decision to withdraw and opposition from Battalion Headquarters; faulty construction of Kirkee Arsenal SAA rounds; withdrawal with wounded and shelling from British artillery; casualties; issue of rum ration; personal morale; question of medal recommendations; shell shocked state and collapse; absence of de-briefing prior to further attack by Royal Scots; disposal of Kirkee Arsenal SAA and question of its faulty nature. Recollections of period in reserve positions, 3/1943: effects of shell shock; state of unit morale; possible causes of faulty SAA ammunition; near grenade accident; malaria precautions; problem with leeches whilst bathing. REEL 40 Continues: friend's return as officer; advising reinforcements on marching technique in jungle and advisability of dirtying uniform as camouflage; question of replacement SAA; mule transport. Period in front line in Donbaik sector, 3/1943-4/1943: positions and terrain; failure of RAF efforts to set fire to Japanese hill positions; preparations to use howitzer to attack Sugar Loaf 4 and 5 from below; destroying military stores and sudden retreat due to Japanese success in cutting supply routes, 4/1943. Recollections of retreat to Brigade Headquarters at Indin, 4/1943-5/1943: illustrations of soldiers requiring assistance after collapsing during forced march; review of situation and terrain at Indin following Japanese attack; skirmish with Japanese unit; transferring rum to water cart; view of Japanese corpses. REEL 41 Continues: Recollections of evacuation of Indin, 5/1943: death from British shells of Brigadier Cavendish and Brigade Major Fanshaw after capture by Japanese and use as human shield whilst constructing defensive positions overlooking British line of retreat; subsequent controversy; role of artillery in retreat. Period in temporary defensive positions following evacuation of Indin, 5/1943: attempt to set example to Indian troops passing through under shellfire; attempt to use abandoned Vickers machine gun; nature of positions; accidental firing on party of British troops; lack of food. Recollections of continued retreat and various temporary defensive positions, 5/1943: ruined food from air drop; water supply; reaction to case of self inflicted wound; patrol procedure under attack and rescue of wounded man; shooting of lost Japanese soldier. REEL 42 Continues: strategic situation; a peace time conduct of relieving Indian troops; question of officers' conditions of service and their relationship with other ranks; personal morale; missed opportunity of firing on Japanese troops; question of visibility of Japanese uniform. Period in rest area, 6/1943: question of return to 2nd Division; dispute over disposal of dead man's kit; kit taken into action; story of effort to rescue typewriters at Indin; question of competence of colour sergeant of C Company. Recollections of periods at Ahmednagar, Mahabaleshwar and Bombay, 6/1943-2/1944: prevalence of malaria, food poisoning and sores; reception from other 2nd Division units; recreations; question of value of debriefing; attending 2nd Division Battle School. REEL 43 Continues: withdrawal of Thompson sub-machine guns; malaria problems and treatment of whole battalion at Mahabaleshwar hill station; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1943: parcel from GB; severe food poisoning attack during amphibious training exercise; cancellation of 2nd Division planned involvement in Salerno offensive in Italy due to state of health in 6th Brigade; question of effect of anti malaria treatment and level of personal fitness. Recollections of amphibious landing and jungle training in Belgaum area, 3/1943-4/1944: issue of jungle camouflage uniform; old Durham Light Infantry graveyard; burying of Indian civilian corpse; overnight laagers; issue of Sten guns; abandonment of planned divisional exercise because of Japanese offensive. REEL 44 Continues: return to Ahmednagar and preparation of kit for active service. Recollections of train journey to Dimapur, Assam, 4/4/1944: commandeering train; US control of railways; reception and reaction to base units' requests for defence. Recollections of period in Dimapur area, 4/1944: preparing defensive positions on hill; reconnaissance patrol and contact with neighbouring Gurkha troops; presence of Assam civilians and their assistance in carrying stores; delay whilst 2nd Division completed concentration. REEL 45 Continues: recollections of period in Dimapur area, 4/1944: situation; method of preparing splinter proof defensive positions; anti personnel grenades used on wire. Recollections of operations on Dimapur-Kohima road, 4/1944: order and method of march; Sten gun and magazines carried; use of leaves as heat insulation in helmet; unit morale; Dimapur's role as US base for supplying China; terrain; successful assault by divisional troops on Japanese road block and defensive positions; role of Indian National Army; order and method of march; relieving 161 Indian Brigade at Lancaster Gate; successful assault by B Company on Japanese defensive positions on Terrace Hill (Garrison Hill); opinion of officers and comparison with France, 1940; unit morale; presence of Grant tanks; allowing Indian troops to relieve Kohima for political reasons; relieving 161 Brigade troops; situation. REEL 46 Continues: Account of operations at Kohima, 4/1944: preparing defensive positions on Kohima Hill (Garrison Hill); situation; carrying in extra water in chaghulls; failure of air drops; entry into Kohima and situation; state of original garrison on leaving; nature of defensive positions taken up by C Company; preparations for attack by C Company with D Company in support; Japanese defensive positions; arrangements for sleep prior to attack; direct hit by phosphorous shell in McLane's trench; attempting to remove phosphorous from body; Japanese attack including their tactics to disclose British position and failure of Milan's Sten gun; phosphorous hand wounds; flames from phosphorous shell hitting collected parachute dump; failure of Japanese attack; casualties; visit to field dressing station and decision to return to line; order to report as wounded. REEL 47 Continues: absence of communication trenches; terrain; role of Japanese bunkers; nature of fighting and opinion of Japanese troops; problem in dealing with phosphorous burns. Recollections of evacuation to Dimapur, 4/1944: effect of McLane's departure on those remaining and handing over to Company Sergeant Major; field dressing station at Lancaster Gate; medical dressings; friend's wounds and their post war effects. Recollections of period in Dimapur military hospital, 4/1944: absence of medical care due to evacuation of medical personnel; reactions; volunteer untrained staff; dispute with colonel of Royal Army Medical Corps and threat of court martial; organising tea for wounded; death of Brigadier Theobalds; reporting situation indirectly to 2nd Division Headquarters; evacuation on ambulance train; reports of later improvements to medical situation. REEL 48 Continues: Evacuation on hospital train to Panatola, 4/1944. Recollections of period in Indian military hospital at Panatola, 4/1944: reception from US troops during visit to US base and concert show; US troops visit to hospital. Return to Dimapur, 5/1944: state of burns; hospitalisation with attack of malaria, food poisoning and dengue fever, 6/1944; news of casualties at Kohima; seeing Assam fertility symbols; officer's lectures concerning kukri. Period of hospitalisation in various hospitals, 6/1944: nature of health problems and threat of various parasitic worms; move to Hyderabad Hospital, 6/1944. REEL 49 Recollections of period in Hyderabad Military Hospital, 1944: assisting with hospital radio; success in organising canteen activities including concerts, whist drives and bingo; refusal to continue canteen activities following treatment during visit by Lord and Lady Mountbatten; opinion of Mountbatten; news of relief of Imphal. Period in Deolali convalescent camp, 1944: meeting Regiment Sergeant Major Brooks and Ralph Rookes; question of supplies not reaching frontline troops. Period at No 1 Convalescent Depot at Poona, 12/1944-11/1945: problem with bed bugs; visit from ex Durham Light Infantry commandos; initial desire to return to unit; promotion to Regiment Sergeant Major following medical inspection and reclassification as C. REEL 50 Continues: initial lack of duties as Regiment Sergeant Major; involvement in reorganising activities in camp to increase numbers participating in fitness training, educational programme, parades and regular medical inspections; reaction to news of atomic bombs being dropped on Japan and peace negotiations, 8/1945; reaction to news of surrender of Germany, 5/1945; period detached to 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry in Urilly Camp, Poona, 11/1945-12/1945, including reasons for refusing permanent posting and role in re-establishing regular methods; role in organising facilities for soldiers of all denominations at St Patrick's Church including overcoming initial opposition and entertainments provided. REEL 51 Continues: role in organising facilities for soldiers of all denominations at St Patrick's Catholic church; reasons for rejection of offer of commission as welfare officer for Poona area in Indian Army; reasons for rejection of position as Regiment Sergeant Major, in Durham Light Infantry, 12/1945. Period in Indian military hospital at Panitola, 4/1944: dispute over treatment of patients during visit to tea planters' club; visit to US cinema; recognition of British role in Burma. Aspects of flight back to GB, 12/1945. Period of leave at home in Newcastle, ca 12/1945: physical and mental state; overcrowded family accommodation. Various aspects of periods with 4th (Holding) Bn, Durham Light Infantry at various camps, GB, 1946: situation; second hand story of soldier smuggling snakes from India to GB for London Zoo. REEL 52 Continues: second hand story of soldier smuggling snakes from India to GB for London Zoo; rumours of unification of light infantry units including Durham Light Infantry; dispute over shadow ranks for returned POWs and consequent possibility of demotion to sergeant to make room for them. Period as sergeant major at Fenham Barracks, Newcastle, 1947: situation; story of deserter prisoner barricaded in cell and later attempt by his civilian friends to break him out; story of deserter prisoner who used children to gain press publicity, ruse to resolve situation and threats made whilst escorting him to military prison; efforts to secure correct rations for troops by preventing stealing from stores. Period at Newtown St Boswells POW camp, 1947: system of employing NCOs at junior ranks. REEL 53 Continues: opinion of German POWs; efforts to improve running of camp; dispute over inadequate transport provided for German POWs; story of discovering German court martial subsequent investigation and removal of SS POWs from camp. Period as Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant in charge of all POW camps in Kelso area, 1948: shooting game to supplement family food; dispute over confiscations during repatriation of German POWs; destroying hidden wartime underground sabotage base on Duke of Macluse's estate. Period running stores at Army School of Cookery at Blandford Camp, 1949: absence of proper control of stores; refusing to take over stores without stock check; deficiencies discovered and solution adopted; refusal of offer to transfer to Army Catering Corps with prospects of commission. Period with Mobile Recruiting Exhibition in Southern Command area, 1949-1950. REEL 54 Continues: recruiting display and backup vehicles; initially inadequate allowances. Period with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry at Durham, 1950-1951: situation of regulars attached to territorial battalions; duties with Support Company and administrative role; dispute with lecturer whilst studying for 1st Class Education Certificate at Welbeck Abbey, Worksop. Period as Company Sergeant Major to 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry at Barnard Castle, 1952: reformation of unit and background to losing position initially offered as Regiment Sergeant Major; story of confusion over cancellation of posting to 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry; story of forgetting words of drill command. Period as Regiment Sergeant Major to 8th Bn, Durham Light Infantry at Durham, 1952-1957: encouragement of sports activities; refusal of offer to attend university and transfer to Army Education Corps; reasons for leaving army, 1957. Subsequent career, 1957-1988: work for Post Office in Newcastle; civil defence training; continued interest in army voluntary organisations.