Brown, Jackson (Oral history)

British private and NCO served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, France, Belgium, Cyprus, Iraq, North Africa and Italy, 1934-1943; POW in Italy and Germany, 1943-1945; NCO served in GB, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Background in Langley Park and Gilesgate, GB, 1916-1939: family; memories of childhood; return of troops from First World War; family home; effects of 1921 miner's strike; games played; description of valley; leisure activities; discipline; education; reasons for moving to Gilesgate in Durham; journey from Langley Park to Gilesgate; continuation of education; civilian work. REEL 2 Continues: leisure activities; time in Boys Brigade and Boy Scouts; reason for joining Territorial Army; reaction of father to his wanting to join. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 4/1934-1/1940: process of joining including opinion of Regiment Sergeant Major Rickaly; drill nights; medical; posting in bugles; details of uniform and rifle; involvement with boxing; details of annual camps including bugle duties; camp pay; accommodation; bugles issued; bugle training and calls; standard of turnout; practice with band; issue of dress uniforms; recruitment drives; new battalions formed; pace of drill; training as Bren gunners for air defence; opinion of German machine gun; opinion of training. REEL 3 Continues: officers and NCOs in company; bugle NCOs; promotion to corporal; civilian attitude to Territorials; qualification for bounty; training received before war; memories of civilian jobs worked; mobilisation; reactions to situation; outbreak of war 9/1939; activities in first weeks of war; accommodation and sleeping arrangements of platoon; supply of meals; training received; description of a section stalk; training with Bren gun and posting in Headquarters Company; motorised training including anti-aircraft duties; visit to Whitburn and farewell party; train journey to and description of Charlbury; equipment carried; accommodation; sleeping arrangements; washing facilities; latrines; relationship with civilians; training with vehicles. REEL 4 Continues: company and platoon schemes; NCOs gaining position of Platoon Sergeant Major; boys in company and rabbits caught; loss of key workers; reinforcements; opinion of 2lb anti-tank guns; later improvements in anti-tank weapons and tanks; details of carriers in battalion; opinion of training; anti-tank ditches dug in France; relationship with civilians; training area visited; firing on range at Castle Bromwich; gas precautions and training; embarkation leave and marriage; reactions to coming fight; censorship of mail; arrival and memories of Lieutenant Colonel Beart; winter conditions; inspection from King George VI at Chipping Norton; voyage to France. Aspects of period as NCO with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France, 1/1940-5/1940: arrival in Cherbourg; opinion of French troops; train journey to St Remy; opinion of village and civilians; accommodation; opinion of second village posted in; posting in Isy; visits to estaminets; posting in Gondecourt; activities of battalion; description of anti-tank ditches; knowledge of wider situation; leisure activities; daily routine; competition between rifle companies. REEL 5 Continues: digging of anti-tank ditch; sports; visits to Lille; relationship with civilians; visit from Brigadier Churchill; German invasion and role of brigade. Aspects of operations as NCO with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in France, 5/1940-6/1940: advance into Belgium; reactions to situation and posting within battalion; reception from civilians; rifle company contact with 2nd Battalion; refugees on roads; anti-aircraft activity; orders for withdrawal; knowledge of situation and comparison with later attitude of Montgomery; journey back to France; refugees on road; reaction to German attacks on refugees; weather; arrival at Arras; role during attack; story of Arras attack; state of troops returning from action; rumour concerning carriers; bombing of battalion headquarters; officers in action; story of friendly fire between B Company and French tanks; reactions to air attacks; troops losing nerve; details of retreat to coast; state of troops; water shortages; effect on morale of rest day; looting seen in Grammont; arrival on canal line before Dunkirk; knowledge of evacuation; sighting of RAF planes; naval support; rumour of breakout from beachhead. REEL 6 Continues: morale of troops including processing and treatment of POWs taken; digging in on beach; destruction of vehicles; orders to leave personal arms; situation on beach including leaflets dropped by Germans; boarding of ship. Aspects of period as NCO with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 6/1940-4/1941: arrival in Dover; dumping of weapons; reception on arrival and at station stops on journey to Aldershot; stay in Aldershot; posting in Rugeley; announcement and cancellation of leave including opinion of French troops; troops going AWOL; telegram sent home from Aldershot; 48 hour leave; opinion of success at Dunkirk; reinforcements; role on south coast; weapons in battalion; defences set up; role in battalion; accommodation; weather; air activity; parachute scares; relief from East Yorkshire Regiment; posting in Maiden Newton; memories of Regiment Sergeant Major "Spike" Jennings; loss of officers in France; outstanding officers in battalion; humour and bad language among troops; rank; bicycle patrols; story of search for crashed German plane. REEL 7 Continues: washing facilities; relationship with civilians; story of reprimand from Major McClaren; description of positions at Charmouth; flooding of pillbox; positions dug for Home Guards; story of an invasion scare; Stand To; morning Supermarine Spitfire patrols; alarms because of flashing lights; patrols around villages and café visited; issue of motorcycle and sidecar and its role; story of crashed Supermarine Spitfire pilot picked up; equipment situation; posting in and description of Honiton; description of barracks; schemes; role as anti-aircraft role; opinion of Boys anti-tank rifles issued; memories of Regiment Sergeant Major "Spike" Jennings; divisional scheme on Exmoor; rum and cocoa issued; rumours of posting abroad and issue of khaki drill; New Year leave; opinion of training; firing of live ammunition during training; grenade training; motorised training; embarkation leave and reaction to posting abroad. REEL 8 Continues: presence of Devon cadre; stories of ATS unit in Honiton Barracks; relationship with civilians; advice given as child about army; accommodation including role as corporal; relationship with cooks in hut; news of destination; journey to Gourock. Aspects of journey from Gourock, GB, to Egypt aboard the Duchess of Richmond, 4/1941-7/1941: boarding of ship; accommodation and sleeping arrangements; overcrowding; RAF personnel onboard; scenes around ship; mess deck; breakfast; seasickness; air activity; activities on ship; conditions on ship; washing facilities; rations; gambling; flying fish; radio; disappearance of convoy to fight Bismarck; bumboats in Freetown harbour; air activity; boat drill; length of journey; arrival in Durban; police treatment of black people; relationship with civilians; parade before Bishop of Durban; story of entering a black only area; rickshaws; New Zealanders on boat; continuation of voyage; climate; crash of HMS Essex's plane and subsequent funeral; voyage up Red Sea; disembarkation. Aspects of period in transit through Egypt, 7/1941: journey to Qassassin; first impressions of Egypt; conditions in Qassassin; length of time in country. REEL 9 Continues: reason for posting in Cyprus; voyage to Cyprus aboard Latona minelayer. Aspects of period as NCO with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Cyprus, 7/1941-11/1941: arrival and disembarkation in Famagusta; 9th Battalion equipment brought from Port Said; anti-tank rifles dropped in sea; train journey to Nicosia; march to camp; problems with crickets; spread of battalion; description of aerodrome; German air activity; defences dug on aerodrome; daily routine; grapes sold by a civilian and his death; Stand To; more on defences dug; stay in Troodos Mountains; visits to Kyrenia including details of internee camp; relationship with civilians; stories of nights out; story of accident with a grenade; rations; health of battalion; story of wait in Famagusta for departure to Palestine; details of mail. Aspects of period in transit to Northern Iraq, 11/1941: arrival in Haifa; transport swap with Indian Division; news of destination; availability of fruit; leisure activities; contact with civilians; story of visit to village outside Haifa. REEL 10 Continues: stolen weapons; start of journey; civilians seen in Transjordan; stop in Mafrak; distance travelled a day; description of staging areas; details of carriers; morning procedures on journey; terrain; route taken; end of road and journey across desert; camels grazing; stay at RAF Habbaniyah; journey through Baghdad; journey through oil fields; digging in of tents; march to River Zab. Aspects of period as NCO with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Iraq, 11/1941-2/1942: start of snow; accommodation; memories of Iraqi liaison officer; story of charge for swearing at a private; pattern of training and sports; mining of local bridge; wildlife and terrain in area; hunting of wild boar and gazelles; description of hot showers built; description of camp; winter conditions; cookhouse; latrines; washing facilities. REEL 11 Continues: fishing in river; meat in rations; other troops in area; Christmas 1941; visit to Mosul; standard of turnout; duties of orderly sergeant; story of charge given to Private Smith; evening activities; cake sent by aunt. Aspects of journey from Iraq to Western Desert, 2/1942: organisation of journey; night at RAF Habbaniyah; civilian thefts from camp; route taken; vehicle check in canal zone; night out in Ismailia; route taken on journey across Egypt. Aspects of operations as NCO with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 2/1942-4/1943: arrival in and description of box; relief of 1st Battalion Punjab Regiment; description of desert; positions dug; details of minefield; latrines; problems with flies and description of traps built; water ration; shower rigged up; accommodation; desert sores; rations; details of patrols; air raids; capture of Rommel's second in command; German attacks on line. REEL 12 Continues: rations; German advance; work of columns; use of outposts and dummy minefields; story of German aircrew shot down; story of chasing captured British ambulances; officers lost at Gazala; memories of Lieutenant Colonel Jake "Stonewall" Jackson; navigation in desert; surrounding by Germans; plan for breakout; reaction when discovered they were surrounded; reaction to and explanation of plan; equipment left behind; breakout of 8th Battalion; own stories from breakout including destruction of truck and a German strongpoint; journey away from Gazala including troops in truck; arrival at Fort Madalena; morale of battalion; fall of Tobruk; description to Mersa Matruh; orders to hold escarpment; minefield laid and pulled up; arrival of German troops; action against advancing force; Italian built position moved into; posting and situation in C Company; activities of 9th Battalion; story of fight between an anti-tank gun and a tank. REEL 13 Continues: situation on escarpment; precautions made against German infiltration including own position dug; story of German machine gun position taken; humour among troops; situation following morning; loss of contact with battalion; arrival of padre and Greek soldier; situation elsewhere; patrol taken out by padre; withdrawal from escarpment including drive through German laager; battalion losses; arrival at Alamein and pass through minefield gap; state of troops and arrival of others; troops installed in line; reorganisation in camp at RAF airfield; leave in and opinion of Alexandria; reactions to events at Gazala; morale of battalion; formation and actions of composite battalion; arrival of General Montgomery; changes following Montgomery's appointment; state of battalion. REEL 14 Continues: reinforcements; relief of New Zealand troops in south of Alamein Line; description of positions; opinion of artillery support; air bursts; ease of digging in; minefields in front and behind; reserve company; movement during day; details of fighting patrols; reconnaissance patrols with Lieutenant Hirst of Guards including description of anti-personnel mines; briefing before patrols; story of attack on Italian listening post; reactions when going into action; enjoyment of patrols; debriefing after patrols; reactions to killing troops; opinions of officers; formation of patrols; opinion of base troops; opinion of Italian and German troops; opinion of German 88 guns and infantry weapons; arrival and activities of 44th Division; Italian position taken; memories of Greek troops on right. REEL 15 Continues: news of Alamein battle from Montgomery and officer briefings; start of battle; activities and state of battalion; relief from Greek brigade; journey to north of line; marches to forming up point and starting line; marking of route during drive north; period preparing for battle; scenes on march to Tel el Eisa; air activity; formation of battalion on starting line and plan for advance; activities at Tel el Eisa; march to starting line and equipment carried; arrival at starting line; presence of Highland Division; scenes from and wait on starting line; issue of rum ration; background of troops in platoon; start of barrage; use of Bofor tracers; signal for advance; memories of platoon officer Lieutenant Freddy Bullman; organisation of advance; events during advance; German POWs passing through; soldier counting paces; pause for consolidation; state of B Company; work of stretcher bearers; dealing with dugouts; wounding of friend in B Company; casualties; patrols sent out and results; situation at daybreak; opposition faced and British tank advance; artillery attacks on 88 guns; return of Ian English to gain aid; orders to pull in line with 9th and 6th Battalions; evacuation of wounded; cover taken from and reactions to German barrage; roles of platoon officer and sergeant; troops not advancing with platoon; relief from New Zealand troops; return to starting line; sleep and meal; attached to 9th Australian Division and start of chase; problems from rain; arrival at Fukah and surrender of Italian troops. REEL 16 Continues: dates of action at Alamein; casualties including story of lost section; reporting of casualties; wounding of Ian English; opinion of work done; advance with 51st Highland Division and return to 50th Division; rest and reinforcements; visit to Gazala Box; training and parades; confidence gained from General Montgomery; state of battalion; reason for not joining advance; Christmas 1942 at Sidi Rezzegh; advance across desert including time at Bernina and Benghazi; field of mushrooms; training course and conversation with General Horrocks; farewell speech given by Horrocks; opinion of General Horrocks; precautions taken after a cook caught typhus including dogs culled; return to battalion; situation in North Africa and at Mareth Line; impressions of French part of North Africa; arrival in wadi and activities of other brigades; briefing; German fire faced; destruction of rum and ammunition truck; wait on start line; advance through minefield; artillery falling short; troops left out of battle and convinced to fight; casualties at Mareth. REEL 17 Continues: questions why division were in action so much; withdrawal from barrage falling short and description of wounding; initial treatment; evacuation with walking wounded; story of Royal Engineer truck and wounded retrieved from it; description of wounds; scenes of tanks and capture of Ian English; description of Wadi Zigzaou; description of advanced dressing station; descriptions of different cases being treated; treatment received. Aspects of hospitalisation in North Africa, 3/1943-4/1943: evacuation by ambulance and medical station taken to; reactions of wounded at advanced dressing station; use of hot sweet tea; staff at main dressing station; evacuation to Tripoli including overnight stop; discipline at dressing stations; discipline at No 1 General Hospital at Tripoli; length of stay; fellow patient; description of convalescence camp; illicit visit into Tripoli; withdrawal of 50th Division to Nile Delta; return to battalion. Aspects of journey from Tripoli, Libya, to Alexandra, Egypt, 4/1943-5/1943: stop in Benghazi; posting to and make- up of advance party; night in Tobruk with "Spike" Jennings; visit to Mersa Matruh; swim with Italian POWs; stop at Alamein. Aspects of period as NCO with 8th Bn Durham light Infantry in Egypt, 5/1943-7/1943: arrival at Sidi Bish; advance party duties; opinion of civilians; opinions of rations; socks taken from dead Italians. REEL 18 Continues: arrival of battalion; leave in Alexandria; discipline of troops on leave; contact with base troops; opinion of Australian and New Zealand troops; journey to Amarea; invasion training in Suez and at Aqaba; rumours of destination; visit from Montgomery and death of Lieutenant Johnson; problems with London Scottish troops' bagpipes. Aspects of journey from Egypt to Sicily, Italy, 7/1943: boarding of Ruys; rations; length of voyage; training received; voyage up Suez Canal; stop in Port Said; news of destination; briefings for invasion; joining of convoy; boarding of landing craft; issue of rum ration; voyage to coast; Italian artillery. Aspects of operations as NCO with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Italy, 7/1943: landing and work of beach master; opposition faced; movement inland; Italians captured and watches gained; objective of battalion; story of civilians and injured American paratroopers; capture of gun position; terrain fighting over and problems created; advance to Noto; scenes on arrival and positions dug; reconnaissance carried out. REEL 19 Continues: preparation for attack on pillbox; change of orders; appearance of 9th Battalion troops and attack on pillbox; officers in battalion; advance into mountains; scenes from plateau; rations; air activity; attack on abandoned Italian position; description of pillbox in hillside; hens acquired; attitude of civilians; details of advance along roads; cave found full of civilians; action outside Lentini; reason for switching of movement towards Primosole Bridge; German opposition in Lentini; Sherman attack on German machine gun position; fifteen year old German captured; state during march; arrival at Primosole Bridge; description of scene; 9th Battalion attack; move of 8th Battalion attack to night; German tanks destroyed by 6lb guns; assistance from parachute officer; tasks of each company; activity across river; crossing of bridge; opposition faced; fighting against Germans; 2nd Lieutenant Holmes's firing of verey lights and German reaction; problems faced by German troops in sunken road; capture of German machine gun crew; story of German officer pretending to be dead. REEL 20 Continues: position of C Company; story of Lieutenant Holmes' death; capture of German paratroopers; approach of German armoured cars and member of crew shot; continued approach of armoured cars; situation of group he was with; order from Captain Wormsley to surrender. Aspects of period as POW in transit through Italy, 7/1943: reaction of captured paratroopers; reaction to capture; withdrawal behind German lines; British mortar fire dropping around; description of German Headquarters; separation of officers; state of Captain Wormsley; arrival of trucks; treatment from Germans and reaction of one soldier; questioning from commanding officer; arrival of Intelligence Officer and attempt at processing; problem with knee; march to Catania; treatment received for knee; rations; activities of British Navy; food given by civilians; boarding of lorries; story of stop at Italian Headquarters on journey to Messina; story of Company Sergeant Major Redden; story of paratrooper knocked off back of lorry; overnight stop in Messina; voyage to mainland including attacks from Supermarine Spitfire; disembarkation and crowds watching them; wait in station yard; boarding of train; story of Italian woman in train yard; scenes on journey; food given; arrival in Naples; air raid while locked in train. REEL 21 Continues: journey to POW Camp at Capua. Aspects of period as POW in Italy, 7/1943: description of camp; sleeping arrangements; bed bugs; roll call; rations; issue of first Red Cross parcels; origins and contents of Red Cross parcels; latrines and process of using them at night; story of an air raid; night time round-up and train journey to Carpi; conditions in camp; disappearance of Italians; food given by German guards; work of camp padre. Aspects of period as POW in transit, 7/1943: march away from camp; description of trucks boarded; food issued; conditions in train; water given at station stops; revenge taken on guard who not allow them water; formation of escape committee and troops escaping from truck; escape attempt in Milan and reaction from Germans; story of interrogation in Capua; scenes on journey; stop in Spital and food given; description of camp visited; length of stay and organisation into groups; train journey into Germany including latrine stop. Aspects of period as POW in Germany, 7/1943-5/1945: arrival at and description of Stalag IV B; haircuts and delousing; initial accommodation; discovery would not have to work; accommodation; organisation in hut; memories of Regiment Sergeant Major Moody; rations. REEL 22 Continues: collection of Red Cross parcels including camp discipline; privileges of French POWs; opinion of Red Cross representatives; news of D Day and story of a fight between a French and New Zealand POW; mail; heating of huts; collection of fuel; other sources of warmth; sports; camp library; radio set in camp; covering for escapees at roll calls; visits from Gestapo; escapes and applications to escape committee; entertainments; lecture about failed escape; French uniform and cap; German home guard; escape methods; interrogation following capture; piercing of Red Cross parcel tins; punishment for escape; facilities for complaints; problems with boredom and health of POWs; treatment following capture; memories of William Price-Jones and escape planned with him. REEL 23 Continues: escape from camp; wait for train; weather and night in transformer house; snow and problems with trains; arrival at camp for Polish women; contact made and food given; decision to give themselves up; attempts at surrender in nearby village; handing over to police and army; interrogation; punishment; contact with German guards; learning of language; bartering with cigarettes; stealing among POWs and punishment given; demands of Regiment Sergeant Major Moody and strike; arrival of German infantry and march away from camp; arrival in smaller camp; conditions in camp; visits from Red Cross; Russian POWs in nearby camp; opinion of guards; story of Russians found during search; Red Cross parcels; concert parties; importance of humour; return to Stalag IV B; Russian and air activity in area; effect on morale and rations; story of arrival of Russian troops; food looted from area. REEL 24 Continues: disappearance of guards; visits of RAF POW to mother; hiding of mother in camp; Stalag IV B reunions; escape from camp; Russian troops in area; house broken into and stayed in; arrival of Russians and advice to leave; story of drunk Russian sergeant; British POWs met; stay in Alfred Rosenberg's mansion; return to camp for official release; posting in German barracks; rations; visits into village; may day celebrations; request for protection from German women; end of war; Hungarian Jewish women stationed in village; return of Germans from war; Russian stripping of land; organisation for repatriation; handover to American troops; scenes on journey to Halle; accommodation and food received at airfield; flight to Brussels; clothing and pay issued; accommodation and leisure activities; flight to GB. Aspects of period as NCO in GB, 1945-1946: reception on arrival; accommodation; visit into Worthing; train journey to Durham; reception on arrival home. REEL 25 Continues: settling into home life; details of leave; dentures issued; posted to High Wycombe; conditions in camp; activities and opinion of posting; units in area and leisure activities available; details of pay; relationship between American and British troops; treatment from American Military Police; posting in Berkhamstead; leisure activities; posting at RAF Tibenham; accommodation; duties; planes arriving from continent; visits to Norwich and to local village; medical before demobilisation; attempt of sergeant to get him to stay on; process of demobilisation at Northampton; civilian jobs worked including loss of fingers in mine; problems with ears that started at Mareth; application for pension.