Description
Object description
British private served with Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) Depot in GB, 1939; served with 2nd Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in GB, 1939; served with Corps of Military Police in GB, 1939; served with The Black Watch (royal Highland Regt) Depot in GB, 1939; served with Royal Army Service Corps in GB, 1939-1940; served with 2/5th Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) Depot in GB, North Africa, Italy and Middle East, 1940-1944; served with 2nd Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in Middle East, 1944-1946
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Darley Dale and Worrington Grange, GB, 1922- 1939: family; education including moves between Darley Dale and Worrington Grange; life as family scapegoat; civilian work including details of railway coach painting in Derby; joining of supplementary reserve including medical; reaction of family to his joining army. Aspects of period as private with Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) Depot in GB, 4/1939-7/1939: accommodation including details of Aisne Squad; sleeping arrangements; storage of kit; clothing issued; drill; opinion of drill; morning procedures; details of meals; drill; army education; weapons training; proficiency with rifle; afternoon activities; help gained from old soldiers; cleaning of equipment and boots; interview with camp commandant and duties given in officers mess; standard of turnout; leisure activities; visits to NAAFI; involvement with hockey team; details of guard duties.
REEL 2 Continues: bayonet training; opinion of bayonet fighting; training with bren gun; relationship with fellow recruits; bullying among recruits; opinion of NCO instructors; contact with officers; kit inspections; punishment for stealing or loss of kit; free time on Saturdays; church parades; posting to Borden Camp. Aspects of period as private with 2nd Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in GB, 7/1939- 9/1939: accommodation; gas precaution training; firing of rifle course including tips given to help firing; opinion of bren gun; grenade practice; description and firing of 2" mortar; opinion of Boys anti-tank rifle; firing of 3" mortar; details of exercises; arrival of reserves and militia; route marches; relationship with militia troops; outbreak of war; reaction to start of war; presence of 2nd Battalion. Aspects of period as private in various posts in GB, 9/1939-6/1939: posting to Corps of Military Police; reaction to posting; duties during two day stint; return to Depot; arrival at Normanton Barracks and posting to Ripon with Black Watch; reception on arrival at Ripon and selection by Cook Sergeant Tolby; duties in cookhouse; relationship with troops and officers; leisure activities; formation of Royal Army Service Corps unit in Chesterfield; accommodation; duties as Company Quarter Master Sergeant; details of rank and pay; opinion of posting; length of time at Chesterfield; return to Normanton Barracks and posting to Haddington. Aspects of period as private with 2/5th Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in GB, 6/1940- 12/1942: reception from unit; reaction to posting with D Company; opinion of Company Sergeant Major Platts; weapon training.
REEL 3 Continues: training with anti-tank guns; firing drill and make-up of team including own role; advantages of 6lb anti-tank gun; route march to Galashiels for next posting; accommodation in Haddington; weather conditions in Galashiels; driving lesson taken with Royal Army Service Corps; relationship with civilians; posting in Wymondham; learning to ride motorcycle; posting in battalion motor transport; opinion of Sergeant Greenwood; painting of battalion vehicles; other duties in motor transport; attempt to join paratroopers; use of scrim; addition of stars to bonnets of trucks; fitter's course attended; learning to drive including lorries in battalion; marriage. Aspects of journey from Liverpool, GB, to Algiers, Algeria, aboard the HMT Derbyshire, 12/1942-1/1943: conditions onboard; duties during voyage; seasickness; submarine periscopes seen; depth charges dropped. Aspects of operations as private with 2/5th Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in North Africa, 1/1943-3/1943: first impressions of Algeria; route march to Maison Carre; method of brewing tea; journey to frontline at Green Hill; camouflaging of lorry; spread of battalion; motor transport duties delivering special rations; activity of German artillery; air raids; air raid precautions; story of netting set on fire; further details of duties with motor transport section; story of an air raid on Sedjenane.
REEL 4 Continues: aftermath of air raid and casualties; reaction to scenes; guard duties; German breakthrough and withdrawal of forces from Sedjenane; role with bren gun; scenes of German advance from position; return of Sergeant Greenwood and withdrawal; capture and return of colonel; pulling prickles out of the colonel; activities of rifle companies; reasons for being left with bren gun; state of battalion following Battle of Sedjenane; distance withdrawn; presence of reporter; reinforcements; background of troops; postings with rifle companies.
REEL 5 Continues: Aspects of operations as private with 2/5th Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in Italy, 1943: movement towards Salerno and situation in town; setting up of 3" mortars; activities in Salerno and movement around rifle companies; story of a reconnaissance patrol; discovery of Italian rifles; searching of houses; army attitude to looting; crossing of River Volturno including opposition faced; advance and activities across river; rest period in Naples; relationship with civilians; view of Monte Cassino; weather conditions and accommodation; Christmas 1943-1944; camouflage work; morale; journey to Palestine. Aspects of period as private with 2/5th Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in Middle East, 1944: training and sports; internal security duties on Mount Carmel; relationship with civilians. Aspects of hospitalisation in Middle East, 1944: hospitalisation for operation on varicose veins; activities in Nathania convalescent camp; time in Feard Transit Camp; leave in Cairo; posting to 2nd Battalion. Aspects of period a private with 2nd Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in Middle East, 1944-1946: changes in battalion; reunion with NCO from Aisne Squad; painting of lorries; advance into Syria; activities of battalion; operation of cinema.
REEL 6 Continues: story of showing Gone with the Wind; length of posting in Syria; leave in GB; duties on return; attempt to extend service; civilian work.