Evans, Charles (Oral history)

British guardsman trained with Guards Depot, Caterham and 2nd (Reserve) Bn Welsh Guards in GB, 4/1916-12/1916; NCO served with 1st Bn Welsh Guards, 3rd Guards Bde, Guards Div on Western Front and in Germany, 1916-1919

REEL 1: Background in Wales, GB, 1896-1916: family. Aspects of enlistment and training with Guards Depot, Caterham and 2nd (Reserve) Bn Welsh Guards in GB, 4/1916-12/1916: enlistment under Derby Scheme, 4/1916; reasons for joining Welsh Guards; posting to Guards Depot at Caterham; issue with equipment; squad training; opinion of instructors; drill; posting to 2nd (Reserve) Bn Welsh Guards; rifle training; medical examination; journey from Southampton, GB to Le Havre, France, 12/1916. Recollections of operations as with 1st Bn Welsh Guards, 3rd Guards Bde, Guards Div on Western Front, 12/1916-11/1918: training at camp in Flers, France; memory of Regimental Sergeant Major Bland; conditions in the Somme and Ypres, sectors, 1916-1917; sight of dead German; problem of trench foot; story of wounded runner; memory of Lieutenant Griffiths; duties building railways with Canadian troops; opinion of rations; role in Third Battle of Ypres; opinion of French Army; duties as Lewis Gun operator; description of attack on Bourlon Wood. REEL 2 Continues: further description of attack on Bourlon Wood; problem of lack of tank support; casualties; return to battalion in Arras; leave in GB; sight of cap badges carved in chalk; in trenches at Arras; effects of storm on tents; preparation for attack at Ypres; effects of artillery barrage; death of friend; in pill-box in Baboon Trench and description of conditions; visit by Prince of Wales; billeting in rest camp; description of Battle at Gouzeaucourt, 11/1917; casualties and POWs; billeting at Arras, 1/1918; retreat after German offensive, 3/1918; wet weather; death of Lieutenant The Honourable Philip Howard, 24/5/1918; further training and sporting activities; story of American platoon in line; position in St Leger reserve trench on Somme. REEL 3 Continues: leave in Paris; period in hospital in Rouen, 11/1918. Aspects of period as NCO with 1st Bn Welsh Guards in Germany and GB, 1918-1919: story of ceasefire draft; transfer to Cologne, Germany, 12/1918; duties and accommodation; issue of new kit; return to GB and description of guard duties at Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace, 1919; story of obtaining month's leave; participation in parade at Mansion House; story of Old Comrades Association; question of discipline; opinion of officers; singing in choir; opinion of rations; attitude to French civilians; opinion of Germans; opinion of Lewis Gun; memories of Armistice, 11/11/1918; story of German student. REEL 4 Continues: question of food shortages and inflation in Germany.