Wear, Joseph (Oral history)

British private served with Durham Light Infantry Depot in GB, 1940; private and NCO served with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, Cyprus, Iraq, North Africa, Italy and North West Europe, 1940-1945; NCO served with 151 Bde in France, 1945; served with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Background in Blaydon, GB, 1919-1940: family; work of mother and money received from parish; help received from elder sister; education; reason for not going on to higher school; job gained in Whickham grocery shop; leisure activities; clothing; details of civilian work; call-up and six month abstention/reprieve; journey to Brancepeth Castle; reaction of mother to call-up; family home. Aspect of period as private with Durham Light Infantry Depot in GB, 2/1940-6/1940: arrival and rations given at Brancepeth Castle; uniform and equipment issued; posted to Spennymoor; accommodation; equipment issued; theft of gaiters; sleeping arrangements; morning procedures; washing facilities; breakfast and method to gain extra food; sharing of food parcels; more on sleeping arrangements; cleaning of billets; concert put on; rations; issue of meals; guard duties; relationship with civilians; drill in streets; weapons training; comparison of German an British weapons; pace of drill; civilian reaction to drill; details of first pay; inoculations and weekend leave; route marches; posting in Esh Winning. REEL 2 Continues: inoculations; settling into army life; sports; leisure activities; taking to discipline; method of dealing with an unhygienic recruit; opinion of NCOs; contact with officers; summary of training in Esh Winning; opinion of Boyes anti-tank rifle; relationship with civilians including accommodation and story of route march; attendance at church and importance of religion; sleeping arrangements; issue of meals; end of training and leave; cancellation of leave; reason for leaving Esh Winning; guard duties in Page Bank and Brandon Colliery; relationship with civilians; reaction to Dunkirk; posting to Hartlepool; story of air raid; journey to Seaton Carew; opinion of training; location of training; tactical training. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 6/1940-5/1941: reinforcements joined 6th Battalion with; morale of battalion; work in minefields at Bridport; posting in B Company; NCOs in battalion; temporary cancellation of leave; story of hospitalisation with tonsillitis; accommodation; problems digging trenches; relationship with civilians; route marches; transport of battalion; activities on beach; bodies washed up on beach; air activity; weather. REEL 3 Continues: parachute scares; memories of Sergeant Robinson and Bren gun training; reveille; equipment situation; details of minefield; attitude of civilians; hospitalisation and rejoining of battalion at Cullompton; exercises; firing of Boyes anti-tank rifle; issue of passes for visits to Exeter; relationship with civilians; leisure activities; story from a manoeuvre; details of signals course attended including description of 18 wireless set; leave; reaction of mother to posting abroad and black buttons; issue of khaki dress; reaction to posting abroad; laying telephone lines including over railway lines and roads; description of telephone; efficiency of communication; preparation for guard duties; selection and duties of stickman; guard duties; make-up of signals section; placement in rifle companies; signals officers and NCOs including memories of Sergeant Freddy Scott; signals casualties at Mareth; football; journey to Gourock. Aspects of journey from Gourock, GB, to Port Suez, Egypt, aboard the Duchess of Richmond, 5/1941-7/1941: conditions onboard; continuation of signals course; sleeping arrangements; climate and smell. REEL 4 Continues: rations; accommodation of NCOs and officers; stop in Freetown harbour; disappearance of escort; crash of HMS Exeter's Supermarine Walrus; boat drill; nickname of ship; washing facilities; canteen; cigarette ration; gambling and bingo; activities including crossing the line ceremony; arrival in Durban and guard duty; visit to Eskhom; treatment of black people; Indian troops on ship and refusal of South Africans to board; parade in Durban; voyage up Red Sea. Aspects of period in transit through Egypt, 7/1941: problems with dysentery; civilian workers in camp; arrival in Egypt; accommodation; coping with dysentery; activities in Egypt. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Cyprus, 7/1941-11/1941: arrival in Famagusta; time in Larnaca and Limassol; movement around island and reception from civilians; swimming pool; hospitalisation and convalescence in Troodos Mountains; telephone duties in Nicosia; leisure activities and out of bounds areas; VD precautions; accommodation and singsongs; joining of signal platoon; opinion of fellow troops and period in Cyprus; discipline; news of posting in Iraq. Aspects of journey from Cyprus to Iraq, 11/1941: journey to Palestine; route taken to Iraq; spread of vehicles in convoy; troops learning to drive; stops on journey; arrival in Mosel. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Iraq, 11/1941-2/1942: problems digging defences; story of charge received on New Year's Eve; punishment; rations; Christmas 1941; methods of keeping warm; latrines; story of shot fired at reveille; cooking of rations. REEL 5 Continues: sports and leisure activities; journey to western desert including stop in Haifa; memories of Regiment Sergeant Major Page; situation in North Africa; change in climate; transport in battalion; breakdown of truck; visit to NAAFI in Mersa Matruh. Aspects of operations as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 2/1942-4/1943: accommodation; water ration; memories of Sergeant Tommy Dawes; trench dug and sleeping arrangements; communication lines set-up; use of lines for navigation; left out of battle at Sidi Barrani; memories of "Stringer" Davies; guarding of airstrip; story of air attack and beer found on journey to Alamein; latrines at Gazala; rations including capture of carrots and brothel; experimentation of cooks; story of sandstorm during turn to cook; problems with flies and desert sores; health of battalion; mail; importance of mail; entertainments; freedom of movement in box; air activity; memories of Harry Richardson; loss of items during breakout; visits from Salvation Army; opinion of Bill "Polly" Watson; arrival at Alamein; erection of tents; morale of battalion; leave in Alexandria; fights with 51st Division troops; story of charge for having dirty knees; reinforcements; role in attack with composite battalions; orders received from sergeant major concerning communications. REEL 6 Continues: opposition faced during composite battalion attack including role in attack; reactions following battle; secondment with Green Howards; work with Major Kirby; rota and duties during Battle of Alamein; advance from Alamein; return to battlefield; Major Kirby's search for loot; communications; effect of Montgomery on morale; visits from Montgomery; story of patrol to find missing troops; memories of Captain Chamberlain; reaction to picking up bodies; washing facilities; clothing situation; activities while out of action; following of advance; memories of Colonel Watson; entrapment in minefield at Mareth; evacuation from minefield; reactions to shelling; casualties including loss of company signallers; stories of own experiences at Mareth; first cigarette following action; later criticism from officer; location and role during battle; story of reprimand from Catholic padre during withdrawal; opinion and memories of padres; cracking up of senior officer at Mareth. REEL 7 Continues: reactions following Mareth; activities after Mareth; return to Egypt. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 6th Bn Durham light Infantry in North Africa, 5/1943-7/1943: invasion training; reinforcements; promotion to lance corporal; improvements in communication; exercises on landing craft; knowledge of destination; description of Windsor Castle; . Aspects of journey from Egypt to Italy, 7/1943-8/1943: journey up Suez; entertainments; rough seas on voyage; meal and rum; boarding of landing craft; naval support; seasickness. Aspects of operations as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Italy, 7/1943: landing in wrong place; march into Avola and reunion with battalion; contact with civilians; attack from Italian tanks; casualties; activities in Avola including contents of K rations; effect on morale of food; Canadian bacon enjoyed in desert; terrain passed through before Primosole Bridge; posting with Captain Atkinson; communications; scenes on advance to Primosole Bridge; description of Stink Alley; patrol with Captain Atkinson at Primosole Bridge; friends in B Company; activities during battle; memories of Captain Atkinson; refusal of Lieutenant Colonel Watson to cross River Simeto; faith in Captain Atkinson; advance to Catania; POWs taken; mortar fire faced and injury to foot; treatment received from Dr Joy; evacuation; description of wounds; treatment of POWs. Aspects of hospitalisation in North Africa, 8/1943- 12/1943: hospitalisation in Tripoli; assumption he was German; opinion of treatment; visit of George Formby; formation of concert party at convalescence camp in Algiers; return to GB including stop at Gibraltar; arrival in Liverpool. REEL 8 Continues: Aspects of period as NCO in GB, 12/1943-3/1944: journey home and reception on return; leave; story of air raid on Newcastle; time in Leigh-on-Sea. Aspects of period as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 3/1943-6/1944: return to battalion and accommodation; reunion with Major Atkinson; training in Lowestoft; opinion of berets issued; signalling equipment; posting in Hampshire; standard of turnout in desert; visits to Southampton; invasion training; arrival of Americans in camp; reaction to posting as assault division; visit from Montgomery and King George VI; story of Corporal Ramsey breaking wrist; duties and posting with Ben Littledyke; reaction to being locked into camp; accommodation and sleeping arrangements; briefings for invasion; reason for arrival and memories of Major Wood. Aspects of journey from Southampton, GB, to France, 6/1944: boarding of landing craft and postponement of invasion; scenes on disembarkation; relationship with civilians; activities during delay; issue of waterproofs; conversation during journey; fear during action. Aspects of operations as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 6/1944-11/1944: discarding of waterproof and damage to wireless straps from shrapnel; opposition faced on arrival; scenes on beaches; movement inland including movement of column and position with company; position taken on high ground for night; advance following morning. REEL 9 Continues: attack from German tanks; arrival of a Reuters correspondent and naval observation officer; shelling from navy and infantry reaction; description of battle; description of position held; recommendation for Military Medal; first visit to crossroads; situation in cornfield at Verrières; loss of aerial; description of advance and opposition faced; casualties; machine guns found in German positions; air raids and state of Villers Bocage and Tilly-sur-Seulles; contact with civilians; untouched Madonna statues on crossroads; description of terrain in Bocage; halt to advance and effect of landings in south of France; German POWs; main problems in Bocage; warnings about booby traps; method of calling for air support; reason for being pulled out of line; story of horse ride with George Formby; new uniform issued; presentation of medal ribbon; reaction to winning Military Medal; account of actions that won medal for; belief in Major Atkinson; DDT in battle dress; rations; reactions of troops following heavy action; opinion of junior officers; reinforcements; concern would run out of luck; story of being in barn set on fire; story of shelling faced at crossroads; most feared German weapons; reaction to mortar fire. REEL 10 Continues: period of rest after Falaise; reception in Brussels and deserters remaining in Brussels; crossing of Albert Canal; location of company headquarters in Gheel; killing of German officer in church tower; German air activity and arrival of 21 sets; relief of battalion; communications; weapon carried; wireless team; rank; advance towards Arnhem including problems of priority on road; guard on Nijmegen railway bridge; crossing of bridge and attempt to dig in; posting to battalion headquarters; story of repairing a line close to American troops; arrival of new colonel for B Company; situation at Nijmegen; orders against killing livestock and skirting of orders; deliveries of food to civilians in a convent school cellar; method of fishing on river; stories of church parades in Nijmegen; living conditions on The Island; disbanding of division; reactions to decision; withdrawal through Brussels and Lille; new clothing and equipment issued; reaction when heard going home. Aspects of period as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 11/1944-6/1945: posting as training battalion in Skipton; accommodation; reception from civilians; work in telephone exchange including dating of girls; exercises; visits to Bradford; posting to Paris; concern of being called up during Battle of the Bulge; New Year leave; victory parade tour; award of medal at Buckingham Palace. REEL 11 Continues: recall to brigade in Paris. Aspects of period as NCO with 151 Brigade in France, 6/1945-8/1945: training with Sergeant Major Hollis; accommodation; duties at British Army Exhibition; official opening; ATS Band; rota guard duties; shows put on; leisure activities; relationship with civilians; visits to NAAFI; length of time in Paris; parade at end of exhibition; equipment left behind; Bastille day celebrations; inspections from high ranking officers; background of guard; memories of Freddie Patterson; leave on return. Aspects of period as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 8/1945-3/1946: cross country run; recommendation for Far East; reaction to posting and atomic bombs; meeting of future wife; posting in Skipton; disbandment of battalion and release of key workers; last troops to leave; inspection at Sedgefield and loss of stripe; guard duties; memories of young NCO; posting in Hull; work on telephones in transit camp; story of first meeting with father; process of demobilisation. Aspects of period as civilian in GB from 1946: later contact with and death of father; civilian work including marriage and death of wife; opinion of high command; opinion of American and German troops; troops in battalion who shot toes off; opinion of treatment received post war; best officers served under.