STEVENSON, JOHN (Oral history)

British NCO served with 2nd Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in North West Europe, 1944-1945 and Palestine, 1945-1947; served with 1st Bn Royal Green Jackets during Brunei Rebellion, 1962-1963

REEL 1 Recollections of operations as NCO with 2nd Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in North West Europe, 1944-1945: memories of enlistment in Northern Ireland, 1935; memories of D-Day, 6/6/1944; glider landing during crossing of River Rhine, 3/1945; types of gliders used; casualties during River Rhine crossing; character of fighting; role as sergeant-major of D Coy. Question of how British Army has changed and relations between officers and NCOs. Role of sergeant-major with a regiment. Recollections of operations with 1st Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in Palestine, 1945-1946: move to Palestine, summer 1945; briefing about Jewish insurgent groups and illegal immigrants. REEL 2 Continues: internal security duties; question of searching vehicles and women; use of 'lightening platoon'; areas tours conducted in; guarding illegal immigrant camp; character of Camp 6 in Transjordan; exercise of Transjordan; tour in Jerusalem; off duty activities; unit casualties; transfer to 7th Bn Parachute Regt and return to GB; civil disturbances in Tel Aviv area; clearing women demonstrators. Period with 1st Bn Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in Canal Zone of Egypt, 1950s: posting to Egypt after period in Cyprus; duties in Canal Zone; regimental customs. Aspects of operations with 1st Bn Green Jackets during Brunei Rebellion, 1962-1963: problems collecting unit at Peneng; move to Singapore. REEL 3 Continues: journey through jungle in Brunei; duties in Brunei. Attitude to having served in British Army. Question of comradeship in army.