Sheppard, William (Oral history)

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Accepted Non-commercial Use

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All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

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Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
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Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
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Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
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Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
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Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
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Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
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All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

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Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1330263053
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1545667952
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.
1779622711
Order this sound recording under fair dealing

All Rights Reserved except for Fair Dealing exceptions otherwise permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

If you would like to use IWM collections materials in a way that is not covered above, require a commercial licence, high-resolution copies, or have manipulation requests, please contact the Image and Film Licensing Team. Digital files of films and sound recordings are available at cost depending on intended use.

Description

Object description

British private and NCO served with D Coy, 2/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in GB, France and Belgium, 1939-1942; NCO served with Carrier Platoon, Support Coy, 5th Bn Sherwood Foresters, 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in North Africa, Italy, Greece and Austria, 1943-1945

Content description

REEL 1 Background in Pratthall and Sheffield, GB, 1918-1939: family; education; employment; recreational interests. Aspects of enlistment and training as private and NCO with D Coy, 2/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in GB, 6/1939-4/1940: background to enlistment in Territorial Army, 6/1939; reasons for enlistment; pattern and nature of training; weapons training including firing Bren Gun; battalion camp at Anglesey, 7/1939. REEL 2 Continues: how camp acted as introduction to military life; attempts to raise Union Flag; duties as orderly corporal; sight of raising of submarine HMS Thetis in Liverpool Bay; method of receiving pay at home; reaction to mobilisation, 8/1939; hearing news of declaration of Second World War at drill hall, 3/9/1939; impressions of officers and senior NCOs; duties guarding railway tunnel against potential Irish Republican Army (IRA) attack at Totley; character of 24 hour guards; range work and firing rifle. REEL 3 Continues: cleaning rifle; shooting ability; move to Belper, 10/1939; airfield defence duties at Direction Finding (DF) station at RAF Hucknall; taking part from crashed Supermarine Spitfire; relations with Royal Air Force personnel; move to Donnington, 12/1940; orders to report to Beckett Street Drill Hall in Derby, 12/1940; reporting to drill hall in Leeds to collect draft; move to Kedleston Park in Derby; move to Alvaston; intake of officer cadets. Recollections of operations as NCO with D Company, 2/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in France and Belgium, 4/1940-5/1940: move to France; duties; march into Belgium, 5/1940; arrival in Bruges, Belgium; German Air Force attacks at Bruges, Belgium. REEL 4 Continues: nature of German Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bomber attacks; state of evacuees; in action on canal; character of retreat out of Belgium; death of NCO; destruction of vehicle and entering Dunkirk Perimeter; obtaining place on board MV Royal Daffodil; arrival at Margate, GB. Recollections of period as NCO with 2/5th and 5th Bns Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in GB, 1940-1942: move to Clay Cross; cleaning up and availability of food; visit to Chesterfield; orders to report to King's Hall, Manchester; in civilian billet in Rochdale; reformation of battalion at Galashiels; character of R Company; encounter with Regimental Sergeant-Major Robert Hennessy. REEL 5 Continues: story relating to Regimental Sergeant-Major Robert Hennessy; attachment to brigade headquarters at Haddington; guard duties at brigade headquarters; placing of comrade on charge; return to Galashiels; story of going to tea with civilian family; marriage, 31/12/1941; in transit at Galashiels after move of unit to East Dereham, 1/1942; request to join Carrier Platoon; problems driving Universal Carrier; convoy work with Universal Carriers; members of Carrier Platoon; exercises with Universal Carrier; move to Wroxham, then Great Yarmouth; exercises with Home Guard; move of unit to Camberley; being placed on charge for being Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL). REEL 6 Continues: disembarkation leave. Aspects of voyage aboard HMS Derbyshire from Liverpool, GB to Algiers, French Algeria 12/1942-1/1943: embarkation at Liverpool, 12/1942; convoy zig-zagging in North Atlantic; volunteering for anti-aircraft spotting; loss of meals after slipping on vomit; disembarkation at Algiers, French Algeria, 1/1943. Recollections of operations as NCO with Carrier Platoon, Support Coy, 5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in North Africa, 1/1943-5/1943: preparations of Universal Carriers; incident of Universal Carrier catching fire; road patrol duties; 'Messerschmitt Alley'; orders to report to commanding officer at Tamera, Tunisia; driving at speed on 'Messerschmitt Alley'; reporting to commanding officer at Tamara, Tunisia; evacuation of wounded from Tamera, Tunisia; destruction of his Universal Carrier by artillery fire and return on foot from Tamera; death of Captain Frank Holbrook by artillery fire, 17/3/1943; formation of battle patrol. REEL 7 Continues: initial meeting with Lieutenant Ellwood; attitude to riding motorbike; capture of Universal Carrier crew; move to Bizerte, Tunisia; Axis Air raids at Bizerte, Tunisia; contact with American troops; waterproofing of Universal Carrier. Recollections of operations as NCO with Carrier Platoon, Support Coy, 5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in Italy, 1943-1944: landing at Salerno, 9/1943; ramming Germans in jeep; encounter with German tank; daily routine at Salerno; move to River Volturno; arrival of Second Lieutenant Thompson; organisation of battle patrol; listening patrol. REEL 8 Continues: request from Second Lieutenant Thompson for bombardment on minefield; accident with phosphorus grenade during patrol, 2/9/1944-3/9/1944; comrade who received a 'Dear John' letter; memories of Sergeant 'Spav' Mee; encountering mined bridge; wounding in leg by German 88mm shell fire, 8/9/1944; medical evacuation to 70th British General Hospital; medical treatment for wounds; evacuation by air to Bari; problems with wound. REEL 9 Continues: period in convalescence camp and medical; visit to wounded Second Lieutenant Thompson; passing assault course test; journey to rejoin unit; situation on arrival at unit; picking up new Canadian built Universal Carrier. Aspects of operations as NCO with Carrier Platoon, Support Coy, 5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in Greece, 12/1944-2/1945: voyage from Italy to Greece, 12/1944; situation in Greece; German snipers; basing of unit near Athens; contact with Greek civilians including attending party with Greek ship owner; amusing story of attempt by NCO to place him on charge. REEL 10 Continues: dropping of charge for being absence from camp; role as driver/fitter. Aspects of operations as NCO with Carrier Platoon, Support Coy, 5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in Italy, 2/1945-5/1945: return to Italy, 2/1945; sight of Mount Vesuvius erupting; fitting out Universal Carriers as Wasp Flamethrowers; meeting with senior officer at crossing River Po, 4/1945; nature of River Po crossing, 4/1945; advance towards Austria. Aspects of period as NCO with 5th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt), 139th Infantry Bde, 46th (North Midland) Infantry Div in Austria, 1945: relations with Soviets; billeting arrangements; rounding up Austrian ex-servicemen; relations with Austrian civilians; reaction of Austrian civilians to compulsory viewing of concentration camp film; rescue of broken down Universal Carrier from Yugoslav territory; question of staying on in British Army; decision to not have an army career. REEL 11 Continues: discovery he had contracted tuberculosis by medical officer; leaving unit; attending courses in Aldershot on return to GB; demobilisation; return to civilian life, 1/1946

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production), Second World War (content), Second World War (association)
Creator: IWM (Production Company)
Hart, Peter M (Recorder)
Sheppard, William (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 1993
Dimensions: whole: Duration 330, Number Of Items 11
Catalogue number: 13455

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Sheppard, William (Oral history)

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