Randall, Donald Charles (Oral history)

British private served with 1st Bn Liverpool Scottish, 165th Infantry Bde, 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Div in GB, 1938-1940; served with No 4 Independent Coy in Norway and GB, 4/1940-1/1941; NCO served with No 2 Commando in GB and during St Nazaire Raid, France, 2/1942-3/1942

REEL 1 Background in Dublin, Ireland and Liverpool, GB, 1919-1938: family; education. Aspects of period with 1st Bn Liverpool Scottish, 165th Infantry Bde, 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Div in GB, 1938-1940: reasons for joining Territorial Army; role with signals company; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; reasons for turning down commission. Recollections of operations as private with No 4 Independent Coy in Norway, 4/1940-5/1940: reasons for volunteering for unit, 22/4/1940; training in Suffolk, GB, 4/1940; voyage aboard MV Ulster Prince from GB to Norway, 4/1940; landing at Mosjoen, 8/5/1940; use of Bergen frame packs; voyage in coaster to Bodo, 11/5/1940. REEL 2 Continues: attitude of officers of 1st Bn Scots Guards; manning defensive line east of Bodo; story relating to fatigue; relations with Norwegian civilians in Bodo area; evacuation in HMS Vindictive. Aspects of period as private with No 4 Independent Coy in GB, 5/1940-1/1941: morale after Norwegian campaign; bathing facilities at Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, 6/1940; rapid move to Sandwich; defensive positions at Sandwich, summer 1940; German shelling of Kent coastline. REEL 3 Continues: formation of No 2 Commando in Paignton, 2/1941. Recollections of operations as NCO with 5 Troop, No 2 Commando during St Nazaire Raid, France, 28/3/1942: preparations for Operation Chariot; reaction of unit to briefing; his job to destroy German gun positions; his position on board HMS Campbeltown; under German fire during disembarkation from HMS Campbeltown; problems of getting onto roof of pumping house; placing charges. REEL 4 Continues: blowing up German guns; actions after blowing up of German guns; missing possibility of returning in motor launches; detailing to form rearguard to cover escape attempt; surrender to Germans; degree of fear during raid; treatment on capture; wounds received during raid; story of how his belt stopped a bullet; reasons for wearing kilt during raid.