Wray, James "Jim" (Oral history)

British private served with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1931-1933; private and NCO served with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in India, Sudan and GB, 1933-1937; NCO served with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, France and Belgium, 1939-1940; served with Royal West African Frontier Force in West Africa, 1940-1942; served with 6th Bn Gold Coast Regiment in West Africa, 1942-1943; served with 7th Bn Gold Coast Regiment in West Africa, India and Burma, 1943-1945; served in GB, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Background in Fencehouses, GB, 1913-1931: family; father's service in First World War; education; 1926 General Strike; weekend work in grocer's shop; visiting ships with mariner uncle; reason for not becoming a sailor; work at Lumley Sixth Pit; move to and work at Rising Sun Colliery at Wallsend; testing for gas and gas precautions; leisure activities; reason for leaving Wallsend pit; period unemployed; decision to join army; process of joining army at Durham Recruiting Office. REEL 2 Continues: signing of attestation form; reactions of parents to his joining army. Aspects of period as recruit with Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1/1931-5/1931: return to recruiting office; journey to Fenham Barracks; issue of uniform and equipment; adjustments made to uniform; marking of uniform and kit; army haircut; settling in period; description of barrack rooms; lockers; recruitment squads; population of barrack room; cleaning of barrack room; preparation for kit inspections and help from NCOs; kit inspection; methods for polishing boots and kit; ease of adjusting to army life and army attitude to theft and lending of equipment; inspections before leaving barracks; visits into Newcastle and details of pay; morning procedures; breakfast; opinion of rations. REEL 3 Continues: learning of drill; building up of pace to Light Infantry; rifle drill; enjoyment of drill; help given to troops having problems; length of drill training; introduction to Lee Enfield rifle and its component parts; description of the pull through; maintenance and inspection of rifle; learning to aim; firing on a range; firing at Whitley Bay; results from annual range practice 1931-1938; details of a rifle course; dinner; duties as right hand man of squad; bayonet training. REEL 4 Continues: training on Lewis Gun; grenade training; accidents with grenades; grenade fuses; practice throwing grenades; cross country runs; physical training; bayonet fencing; route marches; care of feet; gas precaution training including anti-dimming of gas masks; tactical training; army education; passing out parade. REEL 5 Continues: memories of NCOs in Aisne Squad; officer at Fenham; posted to Catterick. Aspects of period as private with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 5/1931-9/1933: posting in A Company; reception in barrack room; morning procedures; welcome from Company Commander Captain Cousins; differences with life at Fenham; fatigue parties; exercises on moor; opinion that tactics based on First World War; umpires; contact with Royal Air Force; fire and movement; rapid firing; opinion of Lewis Gun; make-up of Lewis Gun team; grenade practice; learning of semaphore; working day; rota for guard duty; preparation for guard duties; inspection of guard and selection of stick orderly. REEL 6 Continues: guard duties; supply of meals to guard; cell in guardroom; daily checking of notice board; church parades and religion; camp cinema; NAAFI; swimming; stories from secret swimming during childhood; swimming lessons and water polo at school; other sports played; gambling; relationship with other troops; opinion of NCOs; memories of Captain Cousins; reasons for trying out for bugles; tryout for bugles; interview with Cousins about transfer; make-up of bugle section; learning to play bugle and location of practice; common calls. REEL 7 Continues: words put to calls; bugle marches; playing with band; range of bugle and playing by ear; duties of buglers; commanding officer's bugler; competitions for role of commanding officer's bugler; infantry role of buglers; role on Inkerman Day; opinion of officers; reason for offer of posting in India; reasons for wanting to go abroad; volunteers for draft; embarkation leave; reactions of parents to his going abroad. REEL 8 Continues: advice from father. Aspects of voyage from Southampton, GB, to Bombay, India, aboard the Dorsetshire, 9/1933: troops on voyage; trooping season; conditions onboard; description of mess deck; sleeping arrangements; storage of hammocks; reveille; washing facilities; breakfast; rations; bugler duties on deck inspections and fitness training; bingo; seasickness; contact with other units onboard; story of Private Henty falling overboard; route taken to Egypt; refuelling at Alexandria; journey through Suez Canal; climate change in Red Sea; troops getting sunburned; conditions below decks; activities during day; first impressions of India. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in India, 9/1933-2/1937: disembarkation; gifts from Indian Government. REEL 9 Continues: scenes around Bombay; wait for train journey and equipment carried; interior of train carriages; length of journey; rations and tea breaks; latrines; views from train; start of monsoon season; arrival in Calcutta; journey to Barrackpore; description of barrack rooms and sleeping arrangements; problems with prickly heat; wait for battalion; morning procedures; topical kit issued; description of topee; difference between topee and pith helmet; bugle practice in park; rations; physical training; afternoon activities; sports played; relaxed attitude in India; leisure activities in evening and visits to Calcutta; bugler duties. REEL 10 Continues: annual bugle contest to become commanding officer's bugler; methods for playing well; reasons for not carrying on contest in India; civilian workers in barracks; relationship with civilian workers; details of pay and stoppages; items and services pay spent on; relationship with civilians; visits to Anglo-Indian clubs; marriage of soldier to Indian woman; VD lectures and precautions handed out; relationship with European community; relationship with buglers; opinion of officers and NCOs; enjoyment of time in India; seasons; hill station at Lebong; description of journey to Darjeeling. REEL 11 Continues: staff on narrow gauge train to Darjeeling; description of Lebong; march from Darjeeling to Lebong; barracks; Lebong race course; near assassination of Governor; week of acclimatisation; reason for posting; activities; physical proficiency tests; bout of malaria suffered at Barrackpore; malaria precautions; story of Hutchson; morale of battalion; hobbies among troops; story of oboe player; story of tree squirrel caught and released into a bed; wildlife in India including problems from bed bugs. REEL 12 Continues: memories of kite hawks at mealtimes; birds in India; terrier kept by troops; length of stays in Lebong; combined exercise at Deolali; effects of Quetta earthquake during tattoo at Fort William Calcutta; visit to black hole of Calcutta; promotion to as Lance Corporal; changes to duties; posting in Kalabhar Barracks; location of barracks; swimming; land reclamation; society in Bombay and beggars; duties during civil unrest in Bombay; ceremony for changeover of viceroy; contact with other units and Indian troops; reaction to leaving India; reason for posting in Sudan; voyage to Sudan. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in Sudan, 2/1937-11/1937: arrival in Port Sudan; scenes on train journey to Khartoum; climate and coping with heat. REEL 13 Continues: activities; guards at Governor's Palace and description of interior; description of barracks; model of troopship; swimming pool; fishing trip on Nile; stories from camel trip into desert from Gebeit; cap badge hill; topographical exercise; size of excursion groups; contact with civilians; leisure activities and sites in Khartoum; friends in bugles; areas guarded; troops finishing on return to GB; return voyage to GB. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 11/1937: arrival in Woking; leaving battalion; reasons for not staying in army; destinations of friends. Aspects of period as civilian in GB, 11/1937-9/1939: return to civilian life at East Rainton; work pipe fitting and at colliery; leisure activities. REEL 14 Continues: marriage; outbreak of Second World War and reactions; call-up papers. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Bn with Durham Light Infantry in GB, 9/1939: arrival at Fenham Barracks and issue of uniform; accommodation; return to battalion in Woking; role of buglers; comparison of Bren and Lewis guns; mechanisation of battalion; Boyes anti-tank rifle; wife's experience at time; organisation of journey to France; voyage to Boulogne. Aspects of period as NCO with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in France, 9/1939-5/1940: first impressions of France; train journey to Lille area; rank; accommodation; relationship with civilians; supply of water and water on farm; rations; washing facilities; latrines; description of anti-aircraft defences built. REEL 15 Continues: description of prowling guard; leisure activities; opinion of phoniness of war; numbering of vehicles; promotion to Motor Sergeant; make-up of section; description of baths at colliery; comparison with pit- head baths in GB; accommodations around Lille; digging of anti-tank ditches; building of pill boxes; visits to battlefields and graveyards at Vimy Ridge; relationship with civilians; leave in GB; transfer to A Company; company commander; description of trenches dug on border on River Dyle. REEL 16 Continues: terrain along River Dyle; spread of battalion; positions dug. Aspects of operations as NCO with 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry in France and Belgium, 5/1940: arrival of Germans and observation balloons; reactions to approaching action and support given to Lance Corporal Nelson; shelling from Germans and penetration of line; effects of preliminary bombardment; actions of Lieutenant Annand; order for withdrawal from positions; reasons Germans could not get close to British positions; company frontage; start of withdrawal; artillery support; withdrawal from river; stopping of German pincer movement; description of attack from Messerschmitt; position taken at Hal; attack on German spotter plane; shelling from Germans; memories of Lieutenant Peel and Captain Cousins; equipment carried on march to Brussels; availability and supply of rations; scenes in Brussels; position taken on Albert Canal; orders given to hold bridge; story of search for rations. REEL 17 Continues: return and sharing of finds; story of civilian shot approaching lines; concerns about Fifth Columnists; explosives left by Royal Engineers and discussion over whether to blow bridge; withdrawal from canal through and away from Brussels; morale; refugees on roads; sleeping arrangements and condition; proximity to Germans; knowledge of situation; morale; contact with another unit; attitude of Belgian and French troops; defensive positions at St Venant; Germans disguised as women; chickens shot and meal made; fire from German occupied copse and air activity; sniping activities of Lieutenant Peel; anti-tank gun brought up; advance of German troops; start of engagement; capture of maps; casualties; report sent back to Captain Cousins. REEL 18 Continues: becoming platoon commander; discussion of troop's performance in battle; proximity and nature of firing on Germans; reactions to fighting; creation of defences; opinion of Bren gun in action; weapons used by Germans and nature of attacks; treatment given to German soldier shot in knee; activities between attacks; wounding from mortar shrapnel; evacuation and treatment from Private Hurst; platoon casualties after wounding; state of Private Fisher; evacuation to Headquarters; action while resting in barn at Headquarters; orders to get away if could; crossing of canal. Aspects of hospitalisation in France and GB, 5/1940-8/1940: treatment at Regimental Aid Post; journey to Dunkirk and opinion of battalion's chances; events in abandoned school; evacuation from school; scenes on docks; boarding of Oxfordshire; treatment on ship; bombs falling in harbour; voyage across Channel; arrival in GB; disembarkation and reception; postcard sent home. REEL 19 Continues: journey to hospital in Woking; discomfort from wounds; events and treatment arrival in hospital; rations; story of having x-ray taken; story of night time trip to toilet; description of shrapnel removed from spine and its impact; convalescence; visits from sister and a colonel; news of battalion; leave. Aspects of period as NCO with Durham Light Infantry Depot in GB, 9/1940-10/1940: orders to report to Brancepeth Castle; reunion with comrades; details of 3" mortar course; opinion of reason no debriefing was needed on return; opinion of weapons used against Germans; German use of artillery; opinion of officers and NCOs in action; opinion of battalion in action; learning to drive bren carrier; problems with back; interview with Major Hasliel and news of posting to West Africa as instructor; reactions to posting. REEL 20 Continues: journey to London; arrival at Grand Central Hotel in Marylebone; welcome lecture; reasons for near confinement to hotel; separation of officers; background of troops at Grand Central Hotel; activities in hotel; issue of tropical kit and equipment. Aspects of journey from Southampton, GB, to Freetown, Sierra Leone, 10/1940: journey to Southampton; description of ship; embarkations and route taken; conditions and accommodation onboard; boats doing target practice in Freetown harbour; duties on ship; arrival in Freetown. Aspects of period as NCO with 6th Bn Royal West African Frontier Force in West Africa, 1940-1942: first impressions of Freetown; hotel used for leisure; accommodation; rations; activities in Freetown; relationship with civilians; memories of Pat Morley; Free French attempt to enter Dakar; arrival and impressions of Free French troops; posting and bus journey to Accra; scenes in harbour at Accra; arrival at and description of fort; commanding officers; troops in fort; accommodation for Europeans; African NCOs; size of A Company. REEL 21 Continues: overcoming language barriers; recruitment and background of troops; settling of troops into barracks and description of a charpoy; uniform issued to troops; teaching troops to wear boots and puttees; capacity of troops to learn; relaying orders and drill taught; squads in A Company; working day and week; teaching English to troops; learning of Hausa; relationship with troops and teaching of drill to beat; drills taught to squad; comparison of pace with British recruits; gradual build up of battalion; training of troops to fire Lee Enfield. REEL 22 Continues: bayonet training; office work; breakfast; personal boys; evening activities; dressing for dinner; dinner and leisure time in Sergeant's Mess; visits into town; story of fixing up of car bought from South African NCO; dances troops taken to; description of European Club; European civilians in Accra; training of European Voluntary Reserve; health; length of time in fort; battalions raised; posting to Takoradi and Gold Coast Regiment. Aspects of period as NCO with 6th Bn Gold Coast Regiment in West Africa, 1942-1943: layout of barracks. REEL 23 Continues: accommodation; profit made on car; memories of Captains Cave and Howlett; duties; memories of Colonel Hilliard; memories of Company Sergeant Major Robert Turpin; story of the mysterious recruit; story of Captain Kirby giving cavalry commands; relationship with African troops. REEL 24 Continues: transport; tactical training in bush; reasons for posting in 7th Battalion; interview with commanding officer; other troops transferred; preparations for move. Aspects of period as NCO with 7th Bn Gold Coast Regiment in West Africa, 1943: journey to and arrival with 7th Battalion; accommodation; troops in battalion; setting-up of camp; rations; conditions in bush; length of time in camp; fitness training; wildlife; water supplies; movement order; embarkation; route taken on journey toward Lagos; story of visit to French commandant for estaminet permit; wine drinking at estaminet; final part of journey to Lagos. Aspects of journey from Lagos, Nigeria, to Bombay, India, aboard the Britannic, 1943: description of ship; accommodation and rations; washing facilities; latrines; canteen; other units on ship; health problems on ship; shore leave in Durban; visit to opera; arrival in Bombay. REEL 25 Continues: talk with Colonel on approach to Bombay; disembarkation. Aspects of period as NCO with 7th Bn Gold Coast Regiment in India, 1943: time on docks; conditions on train journey to Calcutta; latrines on train; stops on journey; track on railway; scenes in Calcutta; disembarkation; people living in pipes; journey on paddle steamer to Chittagong. Aspects of operations as NCO with 7th Bn Gold Coast Regiment in Burma, 1943-1945: march to Chiringa; activities in camp; jungle training in India; march into Burma. Aspects of operations as NCO with 7th Bn Gold Coast Regiment in Burma, 1943: arrival in Tongezar; expectation of what was ahead; previous action in area; role in Burma; support from 5th Indian Division; details of division; positions taken up near Cox's Bazar; make-up of patrols sent out; equipment and weapons taken on patrols; role of patrols; help from Burmese including Burmese intelligence in unit; description of jungle terrain; movement of patrol; advance forward; Japanese remains left after air strike. REEL 26 Continues: nature of advance; tracks and bamboo in jungle; awareness on patrol; reasons for not getting ambushed; use of trackers; taking patrols into villages; maintenance of tracks; machete carried; length of patrols; movement of advance; reasons for not occupying villages; situation and events in Burma; aim of advance; B Company's patrols; supply of rations; rations; description of self-heating soup cans; explaining cans to troops; strange mixing of rations by troops; meals made with rations; K Rations; water supply and purification; building of fires; memories of Platoon Sergeant Fred West; sleeping arrangements; guards through night. REEL 27 Continues: wildlife in Burma; malaria precautions; treatment for septic toe; description of box formation; defences made around box; movement along Kaladan River including description of river; crossing of river including problems laying telephone lines across it; leeches in river; defensive positions taken up; destruction of rafts used to cross river; details of carriers and boy servant taken to Burma; digging in on hills; position and activities of Japanese; story of attack on Japanese boat; reactions to failure; Bren guns in platoon; arrival on ridge and position of Japanese; start of fight with Japanese troops; opinion of Japanese and African fire; Captain Cave's call for A Company and wounding of Lieutenant Brown; retreat of Japanese troops; casualties; evacuation of wounded. REEL 28 Continues: consolidation of ridge; Japanese mortar attack on Regimental Aid Post and death of Captain Cave; roads and airstrip made; activity on airstrip; clearance and marking of land for dropping zones; items dropped from air; accuracy of drops; building of roads when in reserve; clearances made for airstrips; terrain; responsibilities of company; movement of advance; suspicions about civilian in Thaletua; booby trap set in Paletwa; gong heard in distance and dispersal of civilians; start of fight with Japanese at Thaletua and wounding; cover taken behind tree; casualties; commanding of Bren gun crew; preparations for attack on Japanese mortar position; retreat of Sergeant Osborne with troops; own retreat after firing on mortar; problems with communication; time in Thaletua; visit to doctor and treatment received; later removal of shrapnel in arm; troops use of razors; morale of troops; talk with Percy Osborne about his retreat from Thaletua; movement onto plains; use of airstrips on plain; Americans in area. REEL 29 Continues: promotion to Regiment Sergeant Major; memories of Major Jeffries of 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry; duties as Regiment Sergeant Major; story of help with lighting operation; searching out pockets of resistance; orders to lead a long patrol and role of patrol; make-up of patrol; equipment taken and problems with maps; progress made on first day; marking off progress on maps; reporting to V Force; summary of patrol; reasons V Force could not do patrol and other forces contending with; role of patrol and report on return; state on return; Mention in Dispatches received for patrol; news of victory in Europe; reason for return to GB and reactions; departure from platoon; mortar shelling on Hill 113 and death of boy servant; opinion of Japanese troops; screens made for guns; story of an attack on a Japanese camp on a reconnaissance patrol. Aspects of journey from Burma to GB, 1945: flight to and stay in Calcutta; contact with American troops. REEL 30 Continues: train journey to Bombay; time in Bombay and change of uniform; boarding of troopship; description of ship; ship's crew; rations; watching for submarines in Bay of Biscay; route taken; arrival in Liverpool. Aspects of period as NCO in GB, 1945-1946: reactions to being home; journey home; period at West Hartlepool before demobilisation; return to colliery.