Russ, Thomas (Oral history)

British private and NCO served with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, France, Belgium, Cyprus, Iraq, North Africa, Italy and North West Europe, 1939-1944; NCO served in Belgium and Germany, 1944-1946

REEL 1 Background in County Durham, GB, 1920-1939: community grew up in; family; moves to Willington and Barnard Castle; education including deliberate failure of 11 plus exam and money sent by father; sports played; attendance at church; time in boys scouts; work in Barnard Castle egg business including pay and working week; leisure activities; driving test; attendance at church; courting girls; reason for joining Territorial Army; time at Technical College. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham light Infantry in GB, 5/1939-1/1940: process of enrolment; bounty; reason for missing mobilisation; septic hand gained digging trenches; issue of uniform; details of unit joined; loss of tradesmen to 10th Battalion; pattern of training; route marches; training and accommodation at Whitburn; attitude of civilians towards Territorials; description of drill hall; treatment received for septic hand and memories of Platoon Sergeant Instructor George Fox. REEL 2 Continues: background of troops; arms drill; officers; fitness training; opinion of Bren gun; opinion and description of Boyes anti- tank rifle; ammunition situation; mortars in battalion; gas precaution training; equipment issued; lectures; opinion of training; transport in battalion; outbreak of war 9/1939; reaction to start of war; initial accommodation; punishment for missing route march; discipline and punishments; attitude of troops; journeys between Barnard Castle and Whitburn; memories of officers and NCOs; comradeship and friends in battalion; send-off from civilians on leaving for Kingham; reaction of mother to posting; accommodation; relationship with civilians; accommodation of officers; friends in Kingham; sleeping arrangements; washing facilities and morning procedures; opinion of rations; breakfast; posting in transport section as driver of Captain Michael Ferens; vehicle driven; position of Ferens in company; duties and working hours; football; boxing; gambling school set up; contact with women; duties at night; schemes; lectures; relationship with Captain Ferens; availability of petrol; unofficial use of vehicle; story of visit from King George VI; make-up of and duties with rear party on move to France. REEL 3 Continues: journey to France. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France, 1/1940-5/1940: arrival in Cherbourg and first impressions of France; reunion with battalion at Fresnay-sur-Sarthe; weather; posting with Michael ferens to Headquarters Company at Molliens Vidame; activities in France; relationship of civilians; living conditions; accommodation; duties; posting in Emmerin; accommodation; posted as driver to and memories of Captain Holroyd; activities of motor transport and rest of battalion; attempts to reach brothels in Lille; contact with French women; German invasion. Aspects of operations as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France and Belgium, 5/1940-6/1940: journeys to Brussels with advance party; advance and withdrawal of battalion; advance party duties during march and make- up of advance party; weather conditions; knowledge of wider situation; morale; refugees on road and use of whistle; stuka attacks; story of money given in France; looting of food; reasons behind becoming driver for Major Jeffreys; story of guiding battalion to Major Jeffreys; position and role during counter attack at Arras; state of Colonel Miller during battle and own reactions to bombing of position; return of troops from battle; reformation of companies; journey to Bethune; loss of Captain Holroyd; split of battalion; actions in canal positions; supply of meals; accommodation; morale; German attacks; reaction to loss of friends; destruction of transport at Dunkirk; contact with 10th Battalion troops; story of glass tray; cancellation of move into line; work of Major Jeffreys and march along beach; story of grenade explosion during boarding of boat. REEL 4 Continues: voyage to Dover and reception on arrival. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 6/1940-5/1941: reaction on arrival; journey to Aldershot and size of battalion group; leave; morale; relationship with RAF and return to battalion at Rugeley; reinforcements; journey to Bridport; post in Headquarters Company; transport situation; posting of Headquarters in Lytton Cheney and spread of battalion; routine and duties; story of paying debt from money given in France and gambling to make up pay; use of dummies from Elstree Studios; duties driving medical officer's truck; story of invasion scare; air activity; parachutists found in area; accommodation; leisure activities including visits into Bridport; weapons in battalion; formation of bicycle platoon; opinion of chances against invasion; morale; sports; motor transport duties; commanding officer of company; posting in Maiden Newton; promotion to lance corporal in B Company; make-up and role of company transport; memories of Major Ovendon; plan to desert and join navy; driving Liberty Trucks; role in B Company; vehicles in company; charge faced for hitting a cow; repair of trucks; process of facing a charge; officers and NCOs in B Company; washing facilities; work clothing and uniform; story of Lance Corporal Riley setting fire to officers mess; delivery of drink to mess; accommodation of officers; dances in Tavistock; posting in Cullompton; story of meeting future wife; troops getting married; accommodation; training on Exmoor. REEL 5 Continues: sheltering from storm during a manoeuvre; sports played; washing facilities; memories of cooks' pet duck; mail; leave; knowledge of posting abroad; equipment situation; visits to wife's family; send-off from Cullompton; issue of toppees; air raids; journey to Gourock. Aspects of period in transit from Gourock, GB, to Port Suez, Egypt, aboard the Duchess of Richmond, 5/1941-7/1941: boarding of ship; details of convoy and escort; reactions to posting abroad; activities on ship; time in Freetown harbour; accommodation; gambling; duties as corporal; inspections; boat drill; opinion of rations; seasickness; availability of beer; population of ship; morning procedures; fitness and weapons training; donning of khaki dress; reception on arrival in Durban; relationship with civilians; promotion to orderly sergeant; memories of Company Sergeant Major Pallas; length of time in Durban; voyage up Red Sea; problems with heat. Aspects of period in transit through Egypt, 7/1941: arrival and journey to Qassassin; first impressions of Egypt; problems with flies and dysentery; accommodation; discipline; length of stay in Qassassin; voyage from Port Said to Cyprus. Aspects of period as private with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Cyprus, 7/1941-11/1941: journey from Larnaca to Kokkini Trimithia; ants in camp; role of battalion; transport in company; gaining familiarity with roads on island; opinion of posting; leisure activities including method of keeping wine cool; shelters dug for lorries and story of keeping Harry Nicholson away from NCOs while drunk; story of catching crabs and treatment received; story of Billy Wilson's finger injury; health of battalion; digging of defences; relationship with civilians. REEL 6 Continues: visits into Nicosia and Kyrenia; defences dug at Nicosia Airport; story of acting as a fifth columnist during a scheme; description of defences dug; lengtth of time on Cyprus. Aspects of journey from Cyprus to Northern Iraq, 11/1941-2/1942: state of vehicles gained in Haifa; formation of journey into Iraq; position in company convey; distance between vehicles; letting down of tyres; routine at overnight stops; stay at RAF Habbaniyah and guarding against theft of rifles; condition of road; dealing with breakdowns; role of battalion; accommodation; methods of keeping warm in tent and on guard duty; rations; duties; story of route march; involvement with Christmas meal; details of mail; importance of mail; help given to troops receiving bad news; washing facilities; washing of uniform; standard of turnout; leisure activities; contact with civilians; visits into Mosul; more on rations; difficulties from icy conditions. REEL 7 Continues: Aspects of operations as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 3/1942-4/1943: situation with transport in B Company; stories of Chamberlain driving into minefield; proximity to opposing troops; formation of S Company; posting as artificer and duties; NCOs and officers of unit; anti-tank gun course attended near Tobruk and opinion of 2lb anti-tank gun; formation and make-up of anti-tank gun platoon; role in platoon; make-up of platoon; formation of Jock columns; role in column; navigation at night; story of patrol MacFatter was lost on; frequency of attendance on patrols; opinion of patrols; navigation around desert; action seen before breakout; accommodation; use of camouflage; description of meals made; explanation of hard tack; supplements to diet including visits from Salvation Army; terrain; taking cover from sandstorms; routine; morning procedures; breakfast; water ration; maintenance of vehicles including effects of climate on tyre pressure; role in vehicle maintenance; lunch and tea; conditions during night and method of keeping warm; dental treatment; latrines; cleaning of uniform; uniform worn; inspections; disposal of waste; problems with flies; malaria precautions; sleeping arrangements; preparations made in case of attack; leisure activities. REEL 8 Continues: preparation for breakout; reaction to news of breakout; troops in truck during breakout; problems with vehicle and changeover; journey to and arrival in Mersa Matruh; stops to cool engine; efficiency of officer in second vehicle; position and sighting of anti-tank guns at Mersa Matruh; shelling from Germans; story of journeys to and from meeting with Major Kirby; events in absence; raid into German positions; breakout towards Fuka; tiredness; state of Fukah Aerodrome; arrival at Alamein; effects of fatigue; reactions following action; role in composite battalion; search for beer following order from Major Kirby; story of visit to Alexandria; leave including problem with ankle; description of line at Alamein and troops who drove around Qattara Depression; reinforcements; story of attack from British tanks and wounding of Dallas Kitchen; position in line; location of B Echelon; duties; arrival of dummy tanks; visits from General Montgomery and effect on morale; commanding officers; scenes at start of battle; casualties from brigade attack; position and role during Operation Supercharge; scenes of battle witnessed; beer found for Major Kirby after attack; opinion of Australian and Indian troops. REEL 9 Continues: clearance of battlefield; movement along coast road; souvenir found by Major Kirby; morale; situation following Alamein; problems following rainstorm; opinion of vehicles driven; maintenance of vehicles each night; truck hauled out of minefield and charge for stealing a vehicle; Christmas 1942 and charge received for lost beer; memories of Major Kirby; football at Benghazi; position taken and role supplying ammunition at Battle of Mareth; withdrawal and reformation of infantry; scenes during pass through minefield during advance to Enfidaville; events at Enfidaville; motorcycles gained at Wadi Akarit; memories of battle; parade following action; stories from journey to Delta. Aspects of period as NCO and officer with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Egypt, 4/1943-7/1943: invasion training in Kabrit; waterproofing course attended in Alexandria; leisure activities; stories from travelling around on a Harley Davidson; contact with civilians; role as unit liaison officer in invasion schemes; ship travelled to Sicily on; role on beach on arrival; news of landing; briefings; enjoyment of voyage; boarding of landing craft; seasickness. Aspects of operations as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Italy, 7/1943-10/1943: landing in wrong place; death of Captain Waltau; movement along coast; capture of POWs and watch taken from one; reunion with unit and completion of tasks. REEL 10 Continues: opposition faced; state of POWs; opinion of vehicle waterproofing; search for motor bikes in Syracuse; story of Italian truck; meeting with Montgomery; activities with transport; contact with civilians; Italian POWs; posting with S Company; crossing of Primosole Bridge; role putting up signs; role during action; mistake made by Lieutenant Redway; casualties; bailey bridge built; contact with German troops; advance to and through Catania; accordions looted and returned; army and officer attitude to looting; memories of Colonel Watson and return to bull; opinion of what made a good officer and of officers and NCOs in battalion; discussion of characters among the troops; problems with altitude and convoy work around Mount Etna; leisure activities; activities of battalion; withdrawal to large camp; activities in camp; news of return to GB; guarding against malaria; wins and losses at gambling; reaction to return home. Aspects of journey from Sicily, Italy, to Gourock, GB, 10/1943-11/1943: ship returned home on; breakfast; U-boat sunk; sergeants' mess; bingo; drink available on boat; arrival in Gourock; warnings about taking weapons home and searches. Aspects of period as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 11/1943-6/1944: reactions on return to GB; leave. REEL 11 Continues: reason for return to GB; first meal and facilities at Shudy Camps; changes in S Company including description of new vehicles; details of 6lb anti-tank gun crew; role in company; NCOs and officers in company; training of new drivers; petrol racquet; story of close capture by Regiment Sergeant Major; duties; new equipment received; cleaning of carriers; opinions of carriers including story of carrier crashed into ditch; activities at Shudy Camps; accommodation; details of sergeants mess; social occasions; reception on return home; girlfriends and visits to ATS and WAAF camps; story of journey to Shrewsbury and course on waterproofing of vehicles; standard of turnout; journey to Nightingale Wood; location of transport; gambling with American troops; description of camp and sleeping arrangements; relationship with American troops; issue of African Star medal ribbon; work with transport at Larkhill; posting as motor transport sergeant with "Bomb Happy" Bennett as officer; visits to girlfriend in Devon; unofficial use of vehicles over weekend; maintenance of vehicles; story of wedding including memories of NCOs at Larkhill. REEL 12 Continues: reasons for getting married; return from wedding leave; weekends in Devon; movement of trucks to quayside; items on lorries; scenes on Channel. Aspects of operations as NCO with 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North West Europe, 6/1944-11/1944: landing at Arromanches; journey to find unit; posting in anti-tank platoon; duties in platoon; movement between to motor transport and anti-tank platoon; position taken at Villers Bocage; bombing of village and state afterwards; contact with civilians; problems from terrain; rest periods; reinforcements; opinion of 6lb anti-tank guns; positioning of guns; details of ammunition; scenes in Falaise Gap; reception on arrival in Brussels and Louvain; French resistance treatment of fraternisers; time in Brussels; crossing of Albert Canal; role and action against tanks in Gheel; damage to carrier; withdrawal and breakdown of carrier; presence of Winston Field; advance through Belgium and on to Nijmegen; contact with American troops; arrival in Nijmegen; booby traps; reaction to losing friend to a mine; crossing of Nijmegen bridge; posting and conditions in Elst; opposition faced; coping with cold; position of gun; rum rations; relief from Americans and vehicle and equipment exchange; withdrawal to Roubaix; rest periods in Nijmegen; story of a position in close proximity to German troops; morale of battalion and effect of Nijmegen conditions on health; mail; convoy work at Roubaix; news of 50th Division's break-up and reaction. REEL 13 Continues: Aspects of period as NCO in Belgium and Germany, 1944-1946: posting to holding unit at Louvain; attempt to sell truck; duties; make-up of unit; posting to POW Camp outside Brussels; make-up of camp and duties; sports; release of POWs; documentation of POWs; discipline; posting to Neuengamme concentration camp; reactions to camp; length of posting; description of gas chambers; POWs in camp; rank; journey to GB; process of demobilisation in York. Aspects of period as civilian in GB from 1946: return to civilian life; involvement with comrades association; best and worst officers and NCOs served under.