Randall, Donald Charles (Oral history)

British private served with 1st Bn Liverpool Scottish in GB, 1938-1940; served with 4 Independent Coy in Norway and GB, 1940; NCO served with 2 Commando in GB and during St Nazaire Raid, 3/1942

REEL 1 Background in Dublin and Liverpool, 1919-1938: family; education. Aspects of period with 1st Bn Liverpool Scottish in GB, 1938-1940: reasons for joining Territorial Army; role with signals company; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 9/1939; reasons for turning down commission. Recollections of operations as private with 4 Independent Coy in GB, 1940-1941: reasons for volunteering for unit, 22/4/1940; training in Suffolk, spring 1940; voyage from GB to Norway aboard Ulster Prince; landing at Mosjoen; use of Bergen frame packs; voyage in coaster to Bodo, 5/1940. REEL 2 Continues: attitude of Scots Guards officers; 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 4 Independent Coy in GB, 1940: morale after Norwegian campaign; bathing facilities at Kirkwall, Orkney, 6/1940; rapid move to Sandwich; defensive positions at Sandwich, summer 1940; German shelling of Kent coastline. REEL 3 Continues: formation of 2 Commando in Paignton, 2/1941. Recollections of operations as NCO with 2 Commando during 'Operation Chariot' St Nazaire Raid, 3/1942: preparations for raid; 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.