Turnbull, Charles Simon Stephenson (Oral history)

British private and NCO served with 10th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, France, Iceland and North West Europe, 1940-1944; NCO served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 1944; served with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe and Germany, 1944-1946

REEL 1 Background in Hetton-le-Hole, GB, 1917-1940: details of father's work in mines; family; family homes; discipline; family business; community grew up in and memories of childhood; education including football matches; evening classes and work as token boy including reason for leaving job. REEL 2 Continues: details of pay; working week; colliery band and the Durham Big Meeting; father and uncle's services in First World War; effects of 1926 General Strike; descriptions of various jobs worked at Co-Op including details of pay and working week; organisation of Co-Op credit system; return to Co-Op after war and role given. REEL 3 Continues: membership of boy scouts; activities including attendance at chapel; awareness of events in late 1930s and approaching war; training undertaken at local fire station and reason for attending; outbreak of war 9/1939 and trench dug in garden; reactions of community to war; registration for service; arrival of call-up papers; activities during wait for call-up; posting in Royal Army Service Corps; journey to Darlington; parade at station and walk to local school. Aspects of period as private with 10th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1/1940-4/1940: sorting into 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry; friends made; introduction from Sergeant George Pratt; time spent in schoolyard; return to station and journey to South Shields; issue of paliasse and first night in army; reactions to situation; advice from Sergeant George Pratt; posting in A Company; issue of uniform; reaction from mother on first weekend leave; opinion of rations; taking to army discipline; memories of senior NCOs; learning to use rifle and drill; opinion of accommodation and kit inspections; layout of kit for inspection; officers of battalion including later posting as company clerk; change in accommodation and spread of battalion; coping with pace of drill. REEL 4 Continues: morning procedures including standard of turnout; breakfast; learning of drill and guard duties; route marches; bayonet training; size of bayonet and rifle; cleaning of rifle; opinion of Lee Enfield; equipment situation; initial role of battalion and opinion of training; firing at Whitburn range; news of posting in France; training on South Shields beach; lunch; sports and fitness training; guard duties; leisure activities; relationship with civilians; cleaning and inspecting of accommodation; details of pay; mail and birthday celebrations; improvements to uniform; description and cleaning of uniform; replacement of lost kit; background and attitude of recruits; regimental pride; reason for change in accommodation; change in training after move; posting in headquarters company as company clerk. REEL 5 Continues: duties; spread of battalion; learning to type; visitors to company office; information learned; length of time in South Shields; opinion of training received; brigade and division; reactions to posting abroad; difference in send-off from South Shields from reception in Le Havre; departure from South Shields and train journey to Folkestone; reactions during voyage abroad; packing and transport of office materials; opinion of brigade transport; voyage to France. Aspects of period as private with 10th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France, 4/1940-5/1940: reception from and first impressions of civilians; attitude of civilians to war; accommodation at Nuncq; work and role of battalion; reaction to role; training received; fitness training; tactical training; details of airfield work at Abbeville including later defence; relationship with civilians; story of help given to clean uniform after fall in latrine; conditions in camp; concerts and sports events; opinion and details of rations; washing facilities in camp and during later action. REEL 6 Continues: duties in company office; morning procedures; rumours about parachute drops; move to defensive position at Abbeville airfield; attitude of French civilians to Maginot Line; opinion of French troops; standard of turnout and discipline; morale; opinion of troops; mail and its importance; censorship of mail; relationships with French girls; news of and reaction to German invasion. Aspects of operations as private with 10th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France and Belgium, 5/1940-6/1940: roles of Durham battalion; news from front; advance into Belgium including refugees on road and German air activity; reactions to situation; transport problems and help gained from fitness training; clearance of refugees from road; opinion of chances against German Army; knowledge of what was to come; equipment carried; posting in headquarters company with Boyes anti-tank rifle; concern over firing rifle; position occupied near Arras; withdrawal into Arras; advice given to stop tanks; action experienced at Arras; casualties in 11th and 12th Battalions. REEL 7 Continues: reactions following action at Arras; disorganisation of retreat; skirmish with snipers in Lens; arrival in Gondecourt; formation of Marley Force; situation in Gondecourt; attempts to escape from area and eventual success; luck in escaping guard details; Stuka attacks during withdrawal; rations scavenged en route; state of troops; leaving behind of struggling troops; opinion in luck of missing direct action; effect of Colonel Marley and Captain Stock on morale; help from Jack Shreeve and Billy Ritson; importance of religion; contact with padre; troops breaking under stress; length of time in Gondecourt; orders and plan for withdrawal to Dunkirk; discipline of march; arrival and scenes on beaches; maintenance of unit discipline and German air activity; orders to help with stand on outskirts on Dunkirk; opinion of chances; cancellation of order; arrival on pier head and posting as stretcher bearer; orders to board ship; split from battalion and reason for volunteering for stretcher bearers; length of time on beach; morale and organisation on beaches; maintenance of rifle and dismantling of transport. REEL 8 Continues: voyage to Plymouth. Aspects of period as NCO with 10th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 6/1940-9/1940: reception on arrival; attitude of civilians to events; state and morale of troops; return of battalion and posting as missing; arrival in Okehampton and telegram sent home; leave and reunion with battalion at Okehampton; promotion to lance corporal; reaction to promotion; relationship with friends following promotion; new duties and posting in D Company; activities of platoon; tactical training; make-up of platoon and section; duties as lance corporal; equipment situation; opinion of bren gun; company and battalion commanders; exercises; description of camps at Okehampton and Carmarthen; embarkation leave and reactions to posting abroad; knowledge of destination; marriage; train journey to Scotland. Aspects of journey from Rothesay, GB, to Reykjavik, Iceland, 9/1940: disembarkation; issue of arctic clothing and news of destination; role of battalion in Iceland; reaction to posting; split of battalion on arrival. REEL 9 Continues: Aspects of period as NCO with 10th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 6/1940-9/1940: area of coast occupied by battalion; defences built; posting in Dawlish Warren; weather and enjoyment of posting; patrols along coast; story of German bomber passing over positions; leisure activities and relationship with civilians; later reception from civilians in Carmarthen; opinion and description of defences constructed; Stand To; work on defences; summary of training and duties; accommodation; promotion to corporal and role; opinion of reason for promotions; backgrounds and attitudes of reinforcements; discussion of OCTU selection; officers in battalion; opinion of what makes a good officer; initiative training; length of time in Devon. Aspects of journey from Rothesay, GB, to Reykjavik, Iceland, 9/1940: conditions of sea and ship on journey; convoy; promotion to sergeant; accommodation of self and troops. REEL 10 Continues: duties during voyage; population of boat; role of advance party; reactions of troops to posting; knowledge of Iceland; role as sergeant including modernisation of role and relationship with troops; details of pay. Aspects of period as NCO with 10th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Iceland, 9/1940- 3/1942: arrival in Reykjavik; thoughts on arrival; time in transit camp; posting in Borgarnes and spread of battalion; journey of troops and supplies to Borgarnes; transport used in Iceland; preceding troops; reception from civilians and opinion of reason for reception given; opinion of effects of visit from Winston Churchill; terrain and weather conditions; state of camp on arrival and work done by company on it; heating of huts; sleeping arrangements; kit inspections; theft of NAAFI and other supplies. REEL 11 Continues: availability of supplies; concerts and sports; training of ski platoon; night operation training; story of night on mountain during exercise; rations; blankets issued; storage of equipment; kit inspections; washing facilities; dealing with freezing of water; methods of relieving boredom; lectures; mail; reason for return to GB; journey to Barrow-in- Furness and health of battalion; leave in Blackpool; weapons training course attended at Bisley; leave in Durham; period in Meadowfield including accommodation; journey back to Iceland; reunion with company; standard of turnout and divisional flash; opinion of training and posting; church parades; condition of weapons; culling of seals; winter clothing; story of invasion scare. REEL 12 Continues: discussion about possible German invasion; troops getting lost during winter months; conditions during winter and health of battalion; morale and discipline; importance of role; relief from Americans at Reykjavik; departure from Iceland and return to GB. Aspects of period as NCO with 10th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 3/1942-6/1944: mountain warfare training in Wales; work of Indian troops; expectation would fight in warmer climate and surprise at end of training; role of British and Indian troops; equipment carried; equipment situation; organisation of platoon; story of accident with 2" mortar and resulting court of enquiry; stain on reputation; role and opinion of 2" mortar; earlier problems with Boyes anti-tank rifle in action; make-up of mortar team and transport of ammunition; bombs used; work of NCO with mortar team; make-up of a bren gun team; transport of bren and rifle ammunition; posting in Llanberis; accommodation; reactions on return to GB; expectation of second front; confidence and opinion of battalion; relationship with civilians including visits to Pontypool; opinions on end of mountain warfare training. REEL 13 Continues: opinions of Colonel Marley and Lieutenant Colonel Davies including opinion of reasons why men did not take to the latter; promotion to company quarter master sergeant; opinion that role was ideal for him; further memories of Lieutenant Colonel Davies; posted in A Company; duties as company quarter master sergeant; records kept and replacement of lost items; posting to role of company sergeant major in Rothesay; staff under company quarter master sergeant; operation of sergeants mess; opinion of mess rations; entertainments; relationship with officers; location of mess; running of bar; troops working in mess; cooking of meals; accommodation; memories of Regimental Sergeant Major Holcroft; discussion on role of Regimental Sergeant Major. REEL 14 Continues: Regimental Sergeant Major's attitudes and understanding of troops; story of drill competition and importance of personality in sergeant majors; posting in Hamilton and accommodation; invasion training in Rothesay including accommodation and use of live ammunition; opinions of Colonel Jeffreys and Major Blackett; equipment worn during invasion training; bicycle platoon and drill; beach landing training; night operation practice; description of landing craft; make-up of company; duties of company sergeant major; description and opinions of Sten gun; weapon carried; opinion of PIAT; training with supporting units; street fighting training; training with tanks; disappearance of bayonet training; grenade training. REEL 15 Continues: posting in Wales and in Norfolk; knowledge of and reactions to coming invasion; leave; situation for civilians; concern of parents; service of wife in Blackpool; accommodation in Newhaven; contact with American troops; visit from General Montgomery; knowledge of German Army; activities in Newhaven camp; arrival and opinion of Colonel Saunders; tactics trained in; brigade and division including role of division; boarding of ships and scenes on docks at Newhaven; feelings on docks; briefings on role in Normandy; date of landing; voyage to France. Aspects of operations as NCO with 10th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 6/1944-8/1944: scenes on beaches and movement up beach; depth of water dropped into; location of landing; work of beach master; equipment carried; movement inland to assembly area; scenes of earlier combat; reaction of a brigadier to bicycle platoon and ditching of bicycles; period in assembly area; orders for attack on Saint-Pierre; problems with intelligence. REEL 16 Continues: formation on start line; terrain beyond Saint-Pierre and glistening seen in hills; shelling faced during advance and wounding of Major Blackett; machine gun fire faced in cornfield; reactions to situation; arrival in clearing and remains of company; reactions to situation; summary of attack including opinion about timing and reconnaissance; advance across cornfield; role in action; reorganisation and state of troops in clearing; opinion of planning; friends among casualties; probing into Saint-Pierre by Lieutenant Delaney; 11th Battalion taking of village; growing number of troops in clearing; recovery from attack; opinion of Lieutenant Delaney; morale boosts to troops; rations; activities of company and own duties following initial advance; discussion of German observation positions and criticism of attack. REEL 17 Continues: terrain in Normandy and proximity to opposing troops; resulting stress on patrolling troops; nasty scenes and smells; nature of fighting; opposing German troops; method of dealing with snipers; details of patrols; troops' acceptance of patrols; preparations for patrols; German use of terrain; opinion would win through; advance to Tilly-sur- Seulles; reinforcements; lessons learned; reaction to finding dead British troops; opinion of nervous troops and encouragement given to such men; help from characters in unit; relationship with troops as company sergeant major; importance of religion and padre; outlook on situation. REEL 18 Continues: importance of mail; effect of cigarettes and hot meals; cigarette ration; help given to troops receiving bad news; opinion of what made a good officer; background of north eastern troops; opinions of snipers; action at Rauray including role of 10th Battalion in battle and opinion of tactics employed; advance through Rauray and relief of positions; scenes in Rauray; duties as company sergeant major; discussion of reasons for not remembering all unit members; terrain and involvement of tanks in action at Mezidon; improvements in situation; opinion of German weapons; description of mortar attacks; role in action; return of Major Blackett. REEL 19 Continues: work of stretcher bearers and evacuation of wounded; Distinguished Conduct Medal of Sergeant Tommy Myers; attitude of troops toward medal awards; discussion on selection of troops for medals and own mention in dispatches; reaction to news of brigade's disbandment; opinion of reasons for disbandment; posting in D Company of 8th Battalion. Aspects of operations as NCO with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 8/1944-11/1944: rank; reception from unit; war experience of battalion; background of troops; commanding officer; advance into Belgium including transport situation; morale of troops; reception from civilians in Brussels; period in Brussels; relationship with civilians and orders to move on; advance to and crossing of Albert Canal; action in Gheel including memories of Burt Nichol. REEL 20 Continues: nature of fighting in Gheel; duties in Gheel; opinion of Sten gun; supply of ammunition; proximity to unit; command of house to house fighting; details of house clearance; own involvement with action; casualties; story of officer who was captured and escaped; confusion of action; German counter attack; rating of battle; reactions and reorganisation after relief; army attempts to keep troops occupied after action; battalion morale; reinforcements; situation in and problems during advance towards Arnhem; situation on arrival in Nijmegen; scenes during crossing of bridge; conditions undefoot on The Island; impression of American troops; opinion that arrived too late; living conditions; activities and situation; supply of hot meals; leave in Nijmegen; relationship with civilians; football match played alongside professionals; entertainments; washing facilities; reconnoitring of billets in Nijmegen. REEL 21 Continues: conditions on The Island and attempts to alleviate problems; situation in area; taking of troops to Brussels; health of battalion; opinion and work of officers in company; signs of success in war; description of frontline and activities; opinion of need for rethink of tactics; proximity of German troops; impressions of German troops; knowledge and details of 50th Division's break-up; expectation of return to GB and reactions to possible transfer; selection of troops for posting with 9th Battalion; march away to 9th Battalion; reactions of troops to posting; signs of battle weariness and method of helping sufferers; NCOs helping to boost morale; conduct of troops and officers; story of officer found wanting in action. Aspects of period as NCO with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 11/1944-5/1945: continuation of stalemate on joining battalion; memories and opinion of Lieutenant Colonel John Mogg; weather conditions; brigade joined; improvements in cooperation with tanks. REEL 22 Continues: reactions to joining 9th Battalion and 7th Armoured Brigade; relationship with tank crews and use of tanks; leadership of Lieutenant Colonel John Mogg; posting in D Company and opinion of reasons for not remembering all unit members; crossing of Rhine and action at Saint Joost; settling in of troops into 9th Battalion; reception from John Mogg on arrival in battalion; winter clothing; news of first child's birth and reactions; details of Rhine crossing and air activity; skirmishes in villages across Rhine; state and descriptions of POWs; areas showing Nazi sympathies; specialised tanks in unit; opposition faced in Saint Joost and Sittard; changing attitude towards army service; advance into Germany and morale; orders for halt to advance; story of message received and kept about German surrender. REEL 23 Continues: meeting between John Mogg and representative of German forces; reactions to surrender; maintenance of defensive positions; expectation of victorious march into Berlin and disappointment it did not occur. Aspects of period as NCO with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 1945-1946 : reception from Berlin civilians on eventual arrival; Russian treatment of civilians; contact with civilians; conduct of British troops; civilian living conditions and accommodation; relationship with civilians including tennis training; leisure activities including visit to opera; riding school set up by Major Blackett; bartering with luxury items; discipline and curfew; story of Russian soldier captured on patrol; impressions of Russian troops and comparison with British troops; contact with Russian troops; guard duties; story of football match against Russian forces. REEL 24 Continues: reasons for being wary in contact with Russian troops; contact with American troops; role of battalion; rebuilding of Berlin; attitude and outlook of civilians; news of concentration camps; black market; prostitution in Berlin; attitude toward brothels; relationships between British troops and German women; ceremonial guards and parades; attitude toward state of civilians; news of course available and run by Cadbury's; application and acceptance for course; job problems in GB; movement of riding school horses to GB; dental treatment received. REEL 25 Continues: details of period guarding Polish internees; difference between German civilians in towns and country; relationship with Polish internees; parades and drilling; education of troops for return to civilian life; attitude of Polish internees; spread of battalion; attitude of troops towards service; attempts to keep morale up; accommodation; weeding out of Nazi sympathisers; arrival of release dates and documents; reading of release document reference and change in army number; details of mention in dispatches; process of demobilisation in Darlington. Aspects of period as civilian in GB from 1946: opinion of fortune in coming through war unscathed; hopes for future of army; settling into civilian life; gratuity; details of course attended in Birmingham; opinion of army forces; attempt of Major Blackett to keep him in army; best officers served under; opinion of army service.