Crawford, Douglas (Oral history)

British officer served with 235 Bty, 359th (4th West Lancs) Medium Regt, Royal Artillery in GB, France and Belgium 1927-1941; sister unit to Toosey's 236 Bty; reflections on Toosey's character and experiences as Japanese POW

REEL 1 Explanation of Davies' research of Toosey. Meeting Toosey through Sir Alan Tod and circumstances of Crawford and Toosey joining TA 1927. Service with 235 Bty, 359th (4th West Lancashire) Medium Regt, Royal Artillery 1927-1941: annual camp in Wales; Tod's introduction of Fordson tractors to tow guns; enjoyment of TA service; Toosey's leadership qualities and physical fitness; cooperation between Crawford and Toosey during retreat through Belgium 5/1940; build up to Toosey's unit (236 Bty, 359th MR, RA) winning King's Cup in 9/1935; increase in personnel during pre-war years; mobilisation 1/9/1939 and journey to France 10/1939. REEL 2 Continues: training period in France winter 1939-1940; soldiers' reactions to first experience of active service; strength of knowing troops; escape from France 1/6/1940 and being attacked by Stukas on beach; confusion at Dover and splitting up of 235 Bty; posting of 235 and 236 Btys to East Anglia 1940-1941; Toosey's appointment as CO 135th (Herts Yeomanry) Field Regt 8/1941; opinion of Toosey as successful man; extract from morale-boosting talk given by Toosey in Nong Pladuk after Allied air raid 1944; Toosey's experience of fighting Japanese in Malaya 1/1942-2/1942. REEL 3 Aspects of Toosey's TA service and personality: Toosey's confidence in own ability to command men even in POW situation; carrying on routine Army discipline during imprisonment; Toosey's post-war TA service; other aspects of Toosey's character and his achievements; circumstances of Toosey asking Davies to write biography and scope of research.