Description
Object description
British civilian nurse with international Gulf Peace Team in Iraq and Jordan, 1-2/1991.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1925-1991: description of activities with peace movement prior to outbreak of Gulf War, 1991; first awareness of Gulf Peace Team (GPT) and reasons for deciding to join; description of interview and meeting other members; financial situation of GPT; reaction of family to joining GPT; story of writing to Saddam Hussein; attitude to politics and politicians; environmental concerns and membership of Green Party.
REEL 2 Continues: further comments on environmental activities; attitude to use of terms pacifist and peacemaker; concerns over image of GPT; reaction to local media coverage of joining GPT; description of preparations and departure from Sheffield; press conference in London; description of journey to Amman, Jordan, 1/1991. Aspects of period in Jordan and Iraq, 1-2/1991: reaction to joining GPT; story of first meeting with Ivy Phillips and nature of her disability.
REEL 3 Continues: description of constructing special bed for Ivy Phillips in camp; various memories of other disabled and elderly members of GPT; description of journey to Baghdad via Amman and arrival at Peace and Friendship Camp, 1/1991; description of journey to Judiyyat Arar and first impressions of camp; relations with guards; problem of large number of cats and dogs; opinion of cooking facilities and food; story of sharing food with guards; description of sanitary conditions and sleeping arrangements; organisation of camp and prominent role of Pat Arrowsmith; role of Affinity groups.
REEL 4 Continues: daily routine in camp; communication with outside world; reaction to start of Gulf War and effect on camp life, 8/1991; reason for night patrols being discontinued; division of opinion among GPT members over evacuation of camp; description of religious services, workshops and social activities in camp; relations with other camp members; meetings; opinion of Pat Arrowsmith; range of skills within camp.
REEL 5 Continues: further comments on other camp members; discussions about pacifism and war; description of journey back to Baghdad and arrival at Peace and Friendship Camp, 1/1991; opinion of accommodation and conditions at Al-Rasheed Hotel, Baghdad; story of visit to dried milk factory and hospital treating bomb casualties; question of medically qualified GPT members offering to help in hospitals; story about speech of thanks from Iraqi official being interrupted by bomb explosion; description of bomb shelters; story of returning to Amman, Jordan, 1/1991; story about son William's operation for cancer; situation in Amman; story about American hunger striker Dr. Ellen Rosser.
REEL 6 Continues: further comments on son William's cancer; description of return from Jordan to GB, 3/Feb/1991. Aspects of period in GB, 1991: reaction to apathetic attitude of friends and public to Gulf War; reflections on period with GPT and religious beliefs; attitude to situation of the Kurds; opinion of importance of GPT and influence on other peace groups.
REEL 7 Continues: description of anti-war activities including protest at Birmingham Arms Fair; attitude to young people joining the armed forces; story of involvement with case of soldier Vic Williams; attitude to paying proportion of tax for defence; reflections on Gulf War; attitude to idea of the 'just war'; story about demonstration at Naval Arms Fair.