Coglan, James Edward (Oral history)

British private served with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, North West Europe, Cyprus, Iraq, North Africa and Italy, 1938-1944; served with Infantry Training Depot in Skipton, GB, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Background in Bishop Auckland and Bath, GB, 1920-1939: family; education; leisure activities; free suit received while at school; time in Boys Brigade; work in Morley's Marine Store including story of being sacked; pay and working week; work with soap dealer; transport; meals; period in dole school; work with haulage contractor; pay; reason for getting sack; return top dole school; job gained in Bath; journey to Bath and accommodation; joining of Territorial Army. REEL 2 Continues: reason for joining Territorials including process of joining and commitment to army; work in Bath including ammunition dump built; realisation of coming war; outbreak of war; receiving of call-up; journey to Co Durham; holiday. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 9/1939-1/1940: arrival in drill hall; issue of uniform; sleeping arrangements; punishment for being late; posting in intelligence section; routine while on fatigues; training received in intelligence section; NCO and officer in section; move to Durham cinema; departure of older soldiers; journey to Chipping Norton; opinion war would be over quickly; settling into army life; accommodation and sleeping arrangements; methods of keeping warm and latrines; equipment issued; storage of equipment; lighting; washing facilities; keeping blankets clean; cleaning of room; kit inspections; replacement of lost items; details of pay; pay parades; rations; opinion of cooks; rations and details of route marches; band and bugles on route marches; state of feet and stragglers. REEL 3 Continues: foot inspections; problems with feet; troops weeded out of battalion; march required for proficiency pay; march to Whitburn; firing for proficiency pay; firing of .303 Lee Enfield; bayonet training; description of bayonet; fixing of bayonet; training with Bren gun; opinion of Bren gun; use of Bren gun in anti-aircraft platoon; firing of PIAT; opinion of Boyes anti-tank and Stratheley guns; opinion of mills bomb; gas precaution training; carrying of gas masks; opinion that training along First World War lines; attitude towards discipline; difficulties of some troops adapting to army life; help given to struggling troops; reason for not taking promotion; discussion of bullying in army; comradeship; opinion of Territorial and regular officers and NCOs; examples of good and bad officers; NCOs in battalion; training and activities in Chipping Norton; role as Motorised Division and vehicles in battalion; intelligence section training; duties in section; memories of Lieutenant Cookson; relationship with civilians; football. REEL 4 Continues: vehicles before and after France; work for proficiency pay; pace on marches; fitness of troops; reinforcements from Shropshire Light Infantry; loss of key workers; search for drivers; transport; piquet duties; attempts to break into cookhouse; selection and duties of stickman; organisation of time during guard duty; visits from officer; process of challenging; work of NCOs with guard; periods on guard at door; saluting while holding rifle; presentation of arms; refreshment while on guard; methods of keeping self awake; changing of guard and rest following guard duties; visit from King George VI; journey to France via Southampton. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France, 1/1940-5/1940: journey from Cherbourg to Molliens Vidame; reactions to posting in France; first impressions in France; conditions in accommodation; opinion of cooks; cleanliness; relationship with civilians; resentment towards officers; latrines; opinion of training; fate of intelligence section at Arras; posting in Emmerin; training; later drive to Belgium; gas mask training; role of fitness training; sport. REEL 5 Continues: leisure activities including visits to Lille; relationship with civilians. Aspects of operations as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France and Belgium, 5/1940-6/1940: journey into Belgium and back; march into action at Arras; role in action; posting in Headquarters Company; commanding officers; memories of Lieutenant Cookson; opinion that Germans waiting for them; reactions before action; arrival of Germans and cover taken; prisoners taken from battalion; crawl down ditch; joining with Queen's Regiment troops; journey to La Panne; reunion with Durham troops on beach; plan of one soldier to row back to GB; shelling from Germans; trucks destroyed in Boulogne harbour; disorder among troops; opinion would not get away; effects of shelling; dive bombing of transport; reactions to refugees; opinion of German troops; opinion of Allied chances in France including opinion of Boyes anti-tank rifle; voyage to Dover; boarding of ship; arrival at Dover. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 6/1940-5/1941: reception; train journey to Knutsford; sleeping arrangements; processing following morning; length of stay and troops at Knutsford; morale; report he was missing; reunion with battalion at Abbotsbury; beach defence role; Stand To; role with searchlight; problems with lice; sleeping arrangements; equipment situation; description of slit trenches; bivouacs; supply of meals; visits to Abbotsbury; contact with civilians; minefields; accommodation of officers; permanent placing on beaches; reinforcements including problems settling in; length of time on beaches; reorganisation at Uffculme; reasons for getting rid of intelligence section; posting to and role in Anti-Aircraft section; make-up of section; description of troops in section. REEL 6 Continues: opinion of what section needed in a sergeant including examples of ill discipline among section and memories of Harry Blanc; memories of Regiment Sergeant Major Page and Lieutenant "Punk" Redway; cross country runs and schemes; schemes with artillery; accommodation at Uffculme; spread of battalion; sleeping arrangements; opinion of rations; latrines; bath parades; discussion of cleanliness in army; relationship with civilians; entertainments; replacement of older troops; air activity; air raids in Bristol; leave; reason for delaying return from leave and arrest; details of escorted return to regiment; taken to guardroom on return; sentenced to spell in Shepton Mallet Military Prison; description of cell; movement around prison; punishment for failing to carry out orders; opinion of discipline; rations; return to cell in evening; spell in Aldershot for same offence; pack given on arrival at Aldershot; runs with packs and punishment for failing; morning procedures; banned items; hair cuts; complaints about doubling-up after dinner; leisure activities; time spent in cell; sleeping arrangements; punishments; cleanliness; cell inspections. REEL7 Continues: opinion of prison life; visits from padre; population of cells; lights out and reveille; acceptance of punishment; staff of prison; separation of prisoners; bullying among prisoners; attitude of staff; smoking of boot laces; strip and search on arrival; prisoner telling tales to staff; procedure for complaints; return to unit; journey to Scotland; issue of khaki drill; send-off from Uffculme; reactions to posting abroad. Aspects of journey from Gourock, GB, to Port Said, Egypt aboard the Duchess of Richmond, 5/1941-7/1941: length of voyage; seasickness; activities onboard; conditions on mess decks; rations; beer in canteen; stop in Freetown; 21st birthday in Durban; details of convoy; boat drill; lectures; story of soldier who shot his toe off before departure; reception on arrival in Durban; contact with civilians; troops who stayed; sack of oranges bought; length of stay; discipline on ship; visit to Table Mountain; troops taken on board; voyage toward Red Sea; crossing the line ceremony; change in climate; conditions on mess decks and resentment of officers' comfort; health of battalion; effect of journey on troops; arrival at Port Said. Aspects of period in transit through Egypt, 7/1941: first impressions of Egypt; role of Qassassin Camp; facilities in camp; fitness training. REEL 8 Continues: journey to Cyprus. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Cyprus, 7/1941- 11/1941: role in Cyprus; arrival in Famagusta; posting to Larnaca; swimming in sea; duties on Nicosia aerodrome; story of beating barman in NAAFI; work given as punishment; doubling to and from meals; complaints and reprieve from doctor; memories of Provost Sergeant Wiltshaw; opinion of Cyprus and civilians; punishment given for altercation in NAAFI; guards during detention; memories of guard who became prisoner. Aspects of period in transit between Cyprus to Iraq, 11/1941: movement of prisoners to Haifa; setting up of camp in Haifa; parade and inspection; activities while locked up; length of time on Cyprus; story of guard's trial; story of inspection from Captain Eardley-Wilmott before release and complaint made; release and loan of money from Captain Eardley-Wilmott; formation of vehicles on journey to Iraq; driving lessons given en route; work of traffic control officer; terrain; maintenance of vehicle; sleeping arrangements; route taken. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Iraq, 11/1941-2/1942: weather conditions; precautions taken against theft of rifles; sport; role in Iraq; work of Royal Engineers; winter conditions; smell from donkeys; Christmas dinner; gazelle hunting; posting in anti-aircraft platoon; accommodation; rations; methods of keeping warm; health of battalion; presence of Field Ambulance; mail. REEL 9 Continues: visits into Mosel; methods of relieving boredom; reveille; physical training and breakfast; duties; lectures; length of time in Iraq; routine on journey to Gazala; tiring nature of driving. Aspects of operations as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 2/1942-11/1942: conversion of anti-aircraft platoon to an anti-tank platoon; anti-tank training in Tobruk; opinion of anti-tank guns; make-up of gun crew; role in crew; ability to do jobs of others; story of cowardice amongst crews and threat to shoot him at Mersa Matruh; life in box; stones taken on patrol; role of patrols; troops lost during patrols; method of finding way to box when lost; story of getting lost on patrol including policy of scattering when spotted and leaving behind of wounded; listening to Italians; passing on of information; volunteering for patrols; briefing; preparations for patrols; weapon taken; story of almost being peed on by an Italian including visibility during night; improvements from experience; password on return to gap; discussion of officers on patrol; patrol fatigue and rest following patrols; debriefing; taking of prisoners; raiding patrols; story of rescuing Billy Wilson from a burning portee during a Jock Column including readiness to shoot Captain Redway if he stopped the rescue; congratulations from Captain Redway. REEL 10 Continues: discovery of being awarded Military Medal for rescue of Billy Wilson; reactions to award; process of having medal awarded; presentation of award from King George VI; report in local paper; bounty received on leaving army; life in the box; accommodation; going to toilet at night; Stand To; breakfast; hot meals; freedom of movement; air activity; minefield gaps; visits of NAAFI; problems with flies; burning of sewage; digging of latrines; health problems among troops; medical staff; tablets given each day; water supplies; later visit to Sidi Bish; losing track of dates; coping with boredom; effects of mail; visits from padre; best drinkers in battalion; presence of doctor; church services; importance of religion in action; discipline; fights among troops; dealing with stealing among troops. REEL 11 Continues: discussion of troops and comradeship; opinion of officers and NCOs; troops whose lost nerves; reasons for refusing promotion; visits from and opinion of high ranking officers; weapons used in box; opinion of rifles; reason for taking Thompson Sub-Machine Guns on patrol; travelling of sound in desert; opinion of chances against Germans; details of listening posts; attack on box; breakout from box; time in Tobruk and group travelling with; shelling of road on leaving Tobruk; positions taken at Mersa Matruh; positioning of anti-tank gun; Military Crosses won at Mersa Matruh; approach of German patrol; Stand To; disappearance of anti-tank gun grew; firing on Germans and reaction of anti-tank crew; background of crew; armoured cars hit; congratulations from officers; troops captured; orders from Captain Kirby to breakthrough German lines; position in convoy; pass through German lines; request of troops who left on own for him to join them; journey to Alamein and on to Delta; troops captured and reinforcements; settling in of reinforcements; morale and reasons for later improvement; impressions of German and Italian troops; positions at Alamein; new equipment arriving; opinion of Commonwealth troops; leave at Sidi Bish. REEL 12 Continues: movement between line and Camp Amarea; physical training; changes among officers; work driving an ammunition truck following troops; shelling and exploding of truck; size and contents of truck; lining up for and start of Operation Supercharge; scenes during advance; supporting unit troops; thoughts during advance; noise on battlefield; destruction of truck; joining with infantry; movement forward under fire; involvement of tanks; dealing with pockets of resistance and Italian troops surrendering; casualties; wounding from mortar bomb; reaction to wounds; description of wounds; evacuation. Aspects of hospitalisation in Middle East, 11/1942- 5/1943: treatment at in field and at 23rd Scottish Hospital in Alexandria; voyage to Haifa; opinion of staff; help given by walking patients; fellow patients leaving for GB; ongoing problems with back; transfer to Sarafan; infection and discovery of part of shirt in back; more on ongoing problems with back; Americans in hospital; duties when walking including visits out of hospital and from troops; hospital uniform; letter written to Colonel Watson. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Egypt, c5/1943-7/1943: rejoining of battalion; morale in battalion; reactions to loss of friends; discussion of prisoners shot in anger. REEL 13 Continues: posting as Major Kirby's driver and excused wearing equipment; duties of Major Kirby; battalion training; make-up Headquarters Company; opinions of and relationship with Major Kirby; duties; knowledge of invasion role; dive bombing of ships in Avola Bay; seasickness. Aspects of operations as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Italy, 7/1943-10/1943: landing and advance including work of engineers; exchange of fire with an American patrol; opinion of pre- invasion briefing and landings; contact with civilians; opinion that easier to fight in Sicily than in desert; street fighting; opinion of chances against Germans; morale; advance until Primosole Bridge including German unit faced; briefing from Major Kirby at Primosole Bridge; crossing of bridge and arrival in farmyard; direction of carriers into farmyard; carriers carrying straight on and lost; description of bodies found later; friends lost in this event; Germans surrendered and searched; items taken from POWs; care taken with fountain pens; booby traps; attitudes of German POWs; capitulation of Italy; picking up of wounded from battlefield; reactions of wounded troops; need to evacuate wounded; hardening to gruesome wounds; activities and reactions following battles; method of dealing with troops cracking in battle. REEL 14 Continues: stress in battle and encouragement of inexperienced troops; process of battle and importance of rest; taking cover; opinion that advancing soldier is a better soldier; dealing with nervous troops; experienced soldiers; opinion that medals won by men not responsible for their actions; attitude towards action; supply of rations during battles; need to confuse opposition; loss of nerves; methods of troops seeking to avoid action; punishments received by deserters; nature of front line fighting; discussion of bad feeling among troops; advance to Catania and expectation of fighting in Italy; cessation of advance; rest; journey to Syracuse; ships in harbour; activities in Syracuse; news of posting to GB; visit from Montgomery; amphibious jeep captured; memories and opinions of Major Field; change in command of battalion; contact with colonels; officers and NCOs in Sicily; characters amongst troops; medals winners; criticisms of medal awarding process. REEL 15 Continues: journey to and events at Syracuse; medical; visits of prostitutes to camp; keeping behind of troops with VD; reactions on leaving Sicily; knowledge of forthcoming invasion; opinion of 50th and 51st Divisions; relationship with and opinion of 51st Division troops. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 11/1943-6/1944: arrival at Greenock; activities and conditions during voyage; length of journey; disembarkation; luggage stolen by dockers or railway workers; description of Shudy Camp; health problems on train home and malaria precautions on Sicily; reception on return home; contact with American troops at Shudy Camp; waterproofing course at Great Yarmouth; new weapons in battalion; night training; schemes; training with live ammunition; reinforcements; return to regimental life; accommodation; rations; training in street fighting and camouflage; punishment for returning late from leave. REEL 16 Continues: opinion of preparation for France; street fighting training received including learning to deal with snipers; usefulness of desert experience; splitting up of recruits through battalion; inexperienced troops and officers; roles of tanks and infantry; different resistance met; training with artillery; reactions to selection for invasion; morale in battalion; situation in Nightingale Wood camp; reaction to being locked up; briefing for invasion; lectures; supporting units; boarding of landing craft; role; plan for movement forward on arrival; voyage. Aspects of operations as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 6/1944-3/1945: track on beach; shelling of beach; initial advance; opinion of street fighting; activities during advance and passengers in jeep; role in movement forward; attack across cornfield at Verriere; reason for battalions suffering in action; role during attack and weapon carried; morale following battle; communications; success of battle; terrain; need to keep with main body of attack. REEL 17 Continues: discussion amongst troops following action; grieving for friends; reactions of troops and need for rest; morale during advance; attitude of German troops; groups formed among German POWs; periods of rest; reinforcements; activities in Brussels; relationship with civilians; contact with resistance fighters; fighting against tanks on Albert Canal; flags hung in village; problems with snipers; house clearance; casualties in brigade; story of officer's watch taken from a POW; opinion of Major Fields; performance of troops in battalion; need to work as a team; relief of Americans in Nijmegen; shelling of bridge and cover taken by military police; pontoon bridge used by tanks; troops and activity in Nijmegen and weather conditions; news of return to GB; splitting up of battalion and brigade; role on return to GB. REEL 18 Continues: reactions to posting in GB and break-up of battalion; reason for return to GB; troops returning to GB including memories of "Bomb Happy" Bennett; stay in Ostend including accommodation; return to GB. Aspects of period as private with Infantry Training Depot in Skipton, GB, 3/1945-3/1946: vehicles picked up in Derby; story of journey to Skipton and night out in Bradford; role in advance party; arrival of recruits; staff of depot; transportation of troops from station to camp; problems of troops with training; opinion that being trained too fast; discipline and attitude of troops; confinement of troops to barracks; successes among troops; staff dances; reason for taking belt and bayonet from troops; length of time at Skipton; troops sent to India; story of nearly being sent to India after refusing an order; punishment given; request to join army; delivery of trucks to Scotland; cleaning up of camp; work driving wagon; work in NAAFI canteen; demobilisation at Sedgefield; selling of demobilisation clothing in pub.