Description
Object description
British schoolchild in London, GB, 1939-1945; marine served with 41 (Independent) Commando, Royal Marines in North and South Korea, 10/1950-11/1951; served with Royal Marines in Antarctic and Falkland Islands, 1953-1954
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of period as schoolchild in London, GB, 1939-1945: German Air Force attacks on Pimlico, 1940-1941; collecting and swapping war debris; sight of incendiary attack on Hammersmith, 1941 including casualties; sight of aircraft tipping over German V1 Flying Bomb with wing tips at Harrow, 1944; effect of German V2 Rocket attacks, 1944-1945; memories of VE and VJ Days, 1945. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Marines in GB, 1949-1950: enlistment at Charing Cross Recruitment Office, 1949; seamanship training at Portsmouth; infantry training; commando course at Commando School, Bickleigh; climbing course; abortive posting to 3rd Commando Bde in Malaya and diversion to Korea, 8/1950. Aspects of period with 41 (Independent) Commando, Royal Marines in Japan, 9/1950-10/1950: formation of unit under American Vice-Admiral Charles Joy's command; flight from Singapore, Federation of Malaya to Japan, 8/1950; issue of American weapons and equipment; transfer from British to American rate of pay.
REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of operations as marine with 41 (Independent) Commando, Royal Marines in North and South Korea, 10/1950-11/1950: amphibious role of unit on Korean coast; preparations for first raid, 10/1950; landing from United States Navy destroyer using rubber boats; attack on tunnel on North Korean coastal railway line; abortive raid when party detected and embarked under fire; reaction to being under fire; narrow escape from North Korean patrol during raid on troop train. Recollections of operations as marine with 41 (Independent) Commando, Royal Marines, attached to 1st Marine Div, United States Marine Corps in North Korea, 11/1950-12/1950: allocation to mopping up role on advance towards Hagaru-ri; Chinese counter-attacks at Koto-Ri; deterioration of weather, late 11/1950; support by United States Air Force using napalm; realisation that unit was facing Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) not North Korean troops, 29/11/1950; contrast between American and British infantry tactics.
REEL 3 Continues: detection of developing mass Chinese attack; orders to relieve Hagaru-ri; Chinese ambush of relief vehicle convoy; reaction to arrival in Hagaru-ri; casualties to column on route to Hagaru-ri; construction of makeshift airstrip in Hagaru; scarcity of helicopters; regrouping of unit reserve; United States Marine Corps tank's elimination of sniper; successful Baker Troop attack on East Hill including sight of frozen Chinese corpses; personal morale in action; nature of Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) mass attacks; weapons used during defence of Hagaru-ri; retrieval of artillery howitzer.
REEL 4 Continues: Royal Marines' use of green beret; American field kitchen; opinion of United States Marine Corps at Chosin; relations between United States Marine Corps marines and Royal Marines; withdrawal from Hagaru-ri, 6/12/1950; discovery of Allied dead on withdrawal; weather conditions; danger of frostbite; sight of Chinese dead; United States Air Force's dropping of bridge sections by air to cross ravine in Fuchilin Pass, 12/1950; foraging for rations; arrival at United Nations' lines. Aspects of voyage aboard USS President Jackson from North Korea to Japan, 12/1950: embarkation; morale within commando; sleeping system; American troops' gambling. Aspects of period as marine with 41 (Independent) Commando in Japan, 12/1950-4/1951: arrival and regrouping of commando; Christmas, 25/12/1950; reaction to actions during Battle of Chosin Reservoir, 12/1950.
REEL 5 Continues: relations with Japanese civilians; selling army blankets to Japanese civilians; benefits of being on American rate of pay; demand for commando to be transferred to 28th Commonwealth Bde in Kure. Recollections of operations as marine with 41 (Independent) Commando in North Korea, 4/1951-11/1951: raid on Sonjin from USS Fort Marion; attack on railway line using Amtraks; raid on Wonsan Bay, 8/1951; holding island in Wonsan Bay; raids on North Korean coastline; daily life on island; attempt to destroy North Korean railway guns; visit to HMS Belfast in Wonsan Bay; craving for British corned beef.
REEL 6 Continues: loss of landing craft and commandos taken prisoner of war; treatment of prisoners of war; leaving island, 11/1951. Aspects of period as marine with 41 Independent Commando, Royal Marines in Sasebo, Japan, 11/1951-12/1951: Japanese attempt to raise money from American servicemen; 'Battle of Yokuska Beer Hall'; reasons for unit leaving Japan, 12/1951; award of American Presidential Unit Citation for commando's role during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, 12/1950. Recollections of operations with Royal Marines in Antarctica and Falkland Islands, 1953-1954: orders from Prime Minister Winston Churchill to raid Argentinian camp on Deception Island; dawn raid on Deception Island from HMS Superb; capture of Argentinians.
REEL 7 Continues: volunteering to guard Falkland Island Dependency Survey personnel; confrontation with Argentinians; living conditions including diet; improving living conditions; work helping surveyor map Deception Island; role in setting up first Royal Marines camp at Moody Brook, Falkland Islands; nature of Royal Marine Falkland Islands Force; liaising with Falkland Islands Defence Force; getting to know terrain and distances.
