Atkinson, Richard (Oral history)

British private served with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, France, Belgium, Cyprus, Iraq, North Africa, Italy and North West Europe, 1939-1946

REEL 1 Background in Jarrow and Felling, GB, 1920-1939: family; community grew up in; education including move to Felling; civilian work culminating in work as apprentice bricklayer; details of pay; working week; conditions and discipline; religious discrimination of council; involvement with trade union; signs of approaching war from 1938; story of joining Territorials after recruiting drive and reason for joining. Aspects of period as private with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 4/1939-1/1940: process of joining in Gateshead; swearing in with Captain Kelly; reaction of parents to his joining army; uniform; location and description of Felling Drill Hall; drill card; drills learned; opinion of Company Sergeant Major Rigg; coping with army discipline; forming of ranks; later learning of Light Infantry pace; course fired at Whitburn Range; activities on weekend camp attended. REEL 2 Continues: uniform and equipment issued; rifle drill; rifle issued and its storage; cleaning and inspection of rifle; training with Bren gun; more on equipment issued including storage; drills including opinion of Boyes Anti-Tank rifle; parade in Gateshead; officers in battalion; memories of Corporal Billy Bell; posting in 13 Platoon; fellow recruits in 13 Platoon; reasons of troops for joining and opinion they had not realised what they had done; attitude of troops; opinion of preparation of war; demonstration; mobilisation and becoming a regular soldier; medical; accommodation; outbreak of war 9/1939; uniform; summary of training; journey to Moreton-in-Marsh; inspection from King George VI at Chipping Norton; issue of battle dress; accommodation in Long Compton; journey to Whitburn and course fired there; first church service in Long Compton; relationship with civilians; storage of equipment; stealing among troops and method of dealing with it; replacement of lost items; supply of meals; opinion and details of rations; washing facilities; latrines; maintenance of 1914-18 spirit; sick parades and common treatment; morning procedures and duties; story of near transfer to 12th Battalion; joining of transport section; meals and morning break; afternoon activities; tea and end of working day. REEL 3 Continues: details of forced marches; falling out of march; care of feet; opinion and memories of Stanley Cunningham; formation of marches; singing during march; attitude of civilians to troops; problems with socialising; gambling; sports; gas precaution training including working with gas mask on; training with grenades; reason for not receiving mortar training; opinion of training; lectures including on transport; role in battalion; process of joining transport section and memories of Sergeant Maddison; issue of truck and learning to drive; maintenance of vehicle; driving in convoy; description of vehicle; routine duties; role of truck; transportation of troops; journey to Castle Bromwich; packing of vehicle; commanding officers of a platoon driver; vehicles in company; motorised training; leave and knowledge of posting abroad; date of embarkation for France; inspection from King George VI at Chipping Norton; role in advance party and journey to Cherbourg via Southampton. Aspects of period as private with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France, 1/1940- 5/1940: accommodation in Cherbourg; impressions of French troops; sleeping arrangements. REEL 4 Continues: reactions to posting abroad and impressions of France; visits to estaminets and pay; contact with civilians; posting in Le Mans and sleeping arrangements during journey; equipment carried in truck; convoy discipline; opinion of French drivers; condition of roads; climate and winter clothing; rations; supply of meals; reunion with battalion in Lens and description of town; visits to pit baths; routine duties; relationship with civilians; leisure activities; ENSA concerts; warnings about VD and reason for not visiting brothels; health of battalion including treatment for scabies and delousing; accommodation; washing facilities; supply of rations; alcohol available; activities of troops; different types of inspections; details of clothing and vehicle inspections; guard duties; battalion commanding officer; events on 10th May 1940; journey through Belgium; withdrawal of Belgian troops; position in convoy; refugees on road and attacks from Junker Ju 87 Stukas; climate; troops falling out and lifts given; morale; knowledge of wider situation; sleeping arrangements; looting; march discipline. REEL 5 Continues: weather; morale; effects of speed on vehicle; supply of petrol; make and peculiarities of truck; journey to Vimy Ridge; Junkers Ju 87 Stuka attack at Canadian Cemetery; reactions to Junkers Ju 87 Stuka attacks; improvement in situation after gaining experience of it; scenes during Arras counter attack; withdrawal to Carvin; small arms fire and death of Sergeant Edwards; reactions to first action and seeing people die including burial of Sergeant Edwards; withdrawal to Poperinge; scenes on roads and concerns during journey; orders received in regard to directions; arrival at Le Panne; town held for stragglers; destruction of truck and equipment; separation from battalion; arrival and events on beach; movement to water and along mole; voyage across channel. Aspects of period as private with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 6/1940-5/1941: reception at Dover; time in Blandford Camp including state and equipment situation; reunion with battalion at Rugeley; re-equipped and posting with Headquarters Company; leave; story of reaction on return home; reaction of civilians; state of battalion and its reorganisation. REEL 6 Continues: reinforcements; requisition of vehicles; role in Lyme Regis area; location of transport; routine duties; wiring on beach; help given to air sea rescue; stories from posting with RAF; air activity; leisure activities and relationship with civilians; contact with other units; accommodation and sleeping arrangements at Green Acres; story of fallout after a post was knocked down; rations; civilians in area; new transport received in Tiverton; sports played; training of Home Guard; exercises on moors and story of escaped prisoner on Dartmoor; accommodation in Tiverton; problems with lice and delousing; work picking up clean clothes; marking of uniform; relationship with civilians; opinion of motor transport officer "Ned" Sparks; contact with officers; opinion of NCOs; friends in motor transport section; memories of Harry Cooper and Sergeant "Tug" Wilson; tricks learned from experience; role of headquarters transport; posting as Captain "Plod" Love's driver; vehicles in headquarters company; removal of refuse. REEL 7 Continues: details of manoeuvres; leave; Christmas 1941; mail; Stand To; constant carrying of rifle; equipment and uniform issued; issue of khaki dress; reactions to issue of tropical clothing; medicals including weekly VD checks; VD lectures; punishment for catching VD; train journey to Gourock; knowledge of destination; troops taken to ship by escort. Aspects of voyage from Gourock, GB, to Port Tewfiq, Egypt, aboard the SS Orduna, 5/1941-7/1941: description and boarding of ship; escort; reactions on embarkation; accommodation and sleeping arrangements; conditions onboard; storage of hammocks; disappearance of convoy; stop in Freetown harbour; duties of transport section; leisure activities; sleeping on deck; collision with Georgic; methods of keeping cool in hotter climates; resentment of officers; gambling; crossing the line ceremony; rations; daily routine; lectures; knowledge of destination; bumboats in Freetown harbour; free time in Durban including relationship with civilians and parade; climate in and journey up Red Sea. REEL 8 Continues: protests during stop at Aden. Aspects of period in transit through Egypt, 7/1941: arrival at Port Tewfik; first impressions of Egypt; journey to Ameriya; description of camp; routine; standard of turnout; discarding of topees; acclimatisation; rations; entertainments in camp; hygiene; problems with flies; length of time in Egypt; journey to Cyprus aboard minelayer; knowledge of destination. Aspects of period as private with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Cyprus, 7/1941-11/1941: arrival in Famagusta and reception from navy; movement during day; journey to Kato Lakatamia; sleeping arrangements; help given to navy; driving duties with "Mad Robbo" Robinson; accommodation; story of Robinson's donkey; story of road accident and hospitalisation; court of enquiry following accident; contact with civilians; problems with VD; activities in Cyprus. Aspects of journey from Cyprus to Iraq, 1941: journey to Haifa; route of journey into Iraq; staging posts; night at RAF Habbaniyah; sleeping arrangements; opinion of transport picked up in Haifa; warnings about civilians; stoning in Baghdad; arrival in Kirkuk; climate and methods of keeping warm; description of Kirkuk; contact with civilians; role in Iraq and duties; role of 8th Battalion signallers; escort of supplies for Russia; Christmas 1942; burners used by cooks; rations; health and morale of battalion. Aspects of journey from Iraq to the Gazala Box, Libya, 1/1942: story of men driven to Damascus; rejoined battalion in Palestine. REEL 9 Continues: journey to Cairo; contact with 1st Battalion troops; journey along coast; description of desert terrain; formation of convoy; navigation to lines; signs of previous engagements; knowledge of war in North Africa; brief dubbing of Rommel as Uncle Rommel; contents of truck. Aspects of operations with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 1/1942-7/1942: minefields around Gazala Box and patrols; navigation in desert; drill following a breakdown; location of transport; role in supply of rations; storage of vehicles; sleeping arrangements; movement during night; reveille and Stand To; breakfast; method of heating food; water rations; cooking rota; duties; visits to Alexandria; fiddles for extra rations and water; lunch; maintenance of vehicles; receiving of orders; make-up of B Echelon and emergency rations in vehicle; end of working day; piquet duty; latrines; adaptation to situation; opinion of war in desert; discipline; washing of clothes; sucking of pebbles; effects of heat during day; sandstorm drill; rainfall; clothing worn in winter and at night; desert sores and problems with wildlife; health of battalion; comradeship; air activity; German use of captured vehicles. REEL 10 Continues: stripping of vehicles for raid on aerodrome; story of patrol; method of sharing water to wash; presence of Salvation Army; entertainment from French women; stealing of emergency water; scenes of fighting; decision to breakout; route taken by 9th Battalion; breakout of 8th Battalion; navigation during breakout; protests against Robinson's hurricane lamp; journey to Mersa Matruh including artillery fire faced; positions taken on escarpment; actions of "Ned" Sparks and Adam Wakenshaw; withdrawal with New Zealanders to Alamein lines; memories of Adam Wakenshaw; wounding from shrapnel; evacuation to South African Hospital in Alexandria. Aspects of hospitalisation in Middle East, 7/1942-c9/1942: period in hospital when he would not speak; transfer to English hospital and change in discipline; uniform worn; opinions of hospital; morning procedures; jobs given to patients; description of Convalescent Depot in Haifa; problems with beds; nurses in hospitals; treatment received. Aspects of period as private at Ameriya Infantry Depot, c9/1942: posting at and description of Ameriya base; base staff; discipline and punishments; opinion of reason for discipline; length of time at Ameriya; daily routine; garrison theatre; accommodation. Aspects of operations with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, c9/1942-7/1943: reception on return to unit; reinforcements received. REEL 11 Continues: location in Alamein line; reinforcements; arrival of motor transport officer Eric Hopper; casualties in motor transport; state of vehicles; changes made by and visits from Montgomery; effect on morale; role of Greek Brigade in line; stirring up of dust and scattering of empty envelopes during patrols; story of Jimmy Squares hitting a mine and protection in vehicles against mines; memories of Greek troops including story of Betty Grable cut-out; routine duties; regularity of mail; army telegrams; censorship of mail; parcels; cigarette rations; importance of cigarettes; opinion of Indian cigarettes received; contents of K-rations; supply of rations; beer; pay; importance of mail and rations; story of mail received by Adam Wakenshaw; recovery of Wakenshaw's personal items and witnesses to his Victoria Cross winning actions; discovery of Wakenshaw's body and its burial; minefields in Alamein Line; dummy mines; German weapons feared; superior German equipment; opinion of 88 guns and S mines; dummy trucks and dumps; morale; accommodation; supply of ammunition before battle; artillery barrage; Operation Supercharge; move to north of line before operation; proximity to start line; supply of ammunition during battle; presence of Military Police; posting as Quarter Master's driver; fixing and cleaning of uniform; breakthrough of troops and reformation following battle. REEL 12 Continues: reorganisation of battalion; journey along coast; time at Castle Benito; supplies taken to forward divisions including problems with petrol tins; journey towards Mareth Line; contact with civilians; method of getting vehicles across soft terrain at Mareth; opinion of terrain at Mareth; scenes of battle; defences faced; apology from officer following battle; state and reactions of troops returning from wadi; role at Mareth; reorganisation and events on journey towards Enfidaville; organisation of return journey to Egypt; knowledge of reason for return; leave at Sidi Bish; impressions of Australian troops; regimental brothels; morale; issue of Harley Davidsons; invasion training; change in uniform; routine; troops left out of battle; rumours of destination; voyage to Sicily including briefings and weather. Aspects of operations as private with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Sicily, 7/1943-10/1943: landing on Sicily; dumping of Harley Davidsons; disembarkation; scenes on beach; chaos of situation; events inland; contact with civilians; role of transport section; terrain including condition of roads; mines and booby traps; German opposition faced; more on motor transport's role; description of roads; accidents; talks from colonel. REEL 13 Continues: organisation following invasion; actions of forward companies; contact with civilians; attack from Italian armoured cars; organisation of advance; casualties; duties; supply of items to rifle companies; work of Captain "Plod" Love; scenes at Primosole Bridge; crossing of bridge following action; battalion morale; indication of losses elsewhere by reinforcements; attitude of German POWs; events in Catania; drawing of supplies for battalion; advance up coast through Acireale to Taormina; activities following end of campaign; entertainment and leisure activities; visit from Montgomery and expectation of continuation to Italy; relationship with civilians; contact with American troops; return to GB and items taken. Aspects of journey from Sicily, Italy, to GB, 10/1943: description of boat; mines dropped in sea; removal of Division flashes; reasons security became a waste of time; conditions and discipline on journey. Aspects of period as private with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 10/1943-6/1944: arrival in Scotland; train journey to Saffron Walden; location of headquarters company; climate; leave; issue of Africa Star ribbon; duties in transport section and story of collecting ATS girls from station; saturation of town with troops; fighting with American troops including reasons for it; attitude of American and British military police; entertainment at American air base; standard of turnout. REEL 14 Continues: exercises with Home Guard; Christmas 1943; New Year leave; return from leave to Halesworth; exercises waterproofing vehicles; defences along coast; dances; courting and marriage of wife; exercises with tanks in Thetford including infantryman's opinion of working with tanks; sealing into camp in Romsey prior to D-Day; reaction to being an assault division again; visits from high ranking chaps; fallout from not saluting Eisenhower; opinion of Montgomery; sealing off and delivery of transport to docks; marriage leave; gaining permission to marry; illness of John Scott when battalion in action; packing of vehicles; scattering of transport across landing craft; navigation on landing; memories of Colonel Wood; regularity of John Scott being left out of battle; boarding of landing craft at Southampton; accommodation onboard; delay of invasion; shackling of vehicle to deck; mooring of landing craft in harbour; briefings for invasion and knowledge of role. Aspects of operations as private with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 6/1944- 8/1944: story of drive off landing craft on D-Day; discussion of thoughts before landing; impressions of beach; activities of beachmaster. REEL 15 Continues: noises on beach; bodies in water and time landed; drive off beach behind battalion; marking of route and work of pioneer platoon; supplies carried; details of rum ration; place landed; damage of coast and marking of minefields; reasons for not worrying about mines in road; attitude of civilians; arrival with battalion; advance of Germans across railway lines; dispersal of battalion in field; cover taken from shelling; surprise at ease of advance; start of contact with German troops; posting with B Echelon and proximity to front; shelling faced; warning signs of hotspots; infantry opinion of transport; offers of opportunities to go on patrol; story of patrol he joined; items picked up and looked for along way including memories of Captain "Plod" Love; drunkenness from Calvados; description of cornfield attack at Lingèvres; artillery support; contact with officers; visits to baths; rations including contents of K-rations; organisation of ration distribution. REEL 16 Continues: period at Tilly-sur Seuilles; running supplies to troops; problems with terrain in the Bocage; opinion of German Panzers; tank support; RAF support and yellow scarves worn and used for aircraft recognition; strafing from American aircraft; wounding from friendly fire on Mont Pincon; description of being hit by shrapnel; call for stretcher bearer and initial treatment. Aspects of hospitalisation in France, 8/1944-9/1944: processing from medical officer; treatment from Field Ambulance; evacuation to Canadian Hospital; description of wounds; make-up of hospital; climate; treatment received; discipline in hospital; rations; convalescence. Aspects of operations as private with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 9/1944-5/1945: return to battalion and routine at Brussels; movement north; routine duties; issue of second wound stripe; gin warehouse liberated in Gheel; items taken from jewellers; looting and currency; reception from civilians; advance to Eindhoven; rescue of Lieutenant General Horrocks by 9th Battalion carriers; story of SAS and American paratrooper met; German cutting of road; road discipline; German mines in Nijmegen; bridges over river; position taken in Elst aka The Island; German shelling; routine duties; air activity. REEL 17 Continues: conditions in Elst; washing facilities; activity at Arnhem; accommodation in Nijmegen; damage to Nijmegen; leave in Brussels; reasons for not wanting promotion; signs of 50 Division break-up and joining of 7th Armoured Division; reactions of troops; changes to role; fighting against young German troops; crossing of Rhine; attempts at shooting ducks; anti-fraternisation rules; relationship with civilians; need for care and discipline; leave and surrender of Germany. Aspects of period as private with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Germany, 5/1945-3/1946: return to battalion in Hanover; preparation for advance to Berlin; duties and victory parade including Russian looting; accommodation; black market; state of Berlin; relationship with Russian troops; relationship with American and French troops; relationship with civilians; duties and police dogs; processing at checkpoints; preparation for election and army education; move to Una for demobilisation; relationship with civilians. REEL 18 Continues: ending of mail censorship; sport; processing of POWs; searches for Nazis; arrival at Belsen concentration camp; film made and shown to all civilians; care needed with inmates; reason for entering and reactions to camp; running down of battalion's numbers; frustration during wait for demobilisation; reaction when demobilisation announced; explanation of A and B release; effect of approaching demobilisation on discipline; announcement of release date; story of coin toss to decide whether to stay in army; equipment taken on journey to York; process of demobilisation in York including removal of tonsils; method of voting in election; clothing issued; gratuity and leave. Aspects of period as civilian in GB from 1946: return to civilian work; changes in civilian life; story of army pension claim; problems settling into civilian life; civilian work.