Description
Object description
British officer served with 2nd Bn, Royal Norfolk Regt in GB, India and Burma, 1942-1945. Present at Battle of Kohima, 4/1944-5/1944. Served with 4th Bn, RNR in GB, 1949-1961
Content description
REEL 1 Review of family history: background to establishment of family firm of land agents; story of father's contact with Second Lieutenant Robert Scott at Felixstowe Camp, ca 1917; review of service as officer with 2nd Bn, Norfolk Regt in Mesopotamia, ca 1917-1918; background to father's return to take over family firm, 1918. Childhood in Norwich, 1921-1929. Period at Stonehouse Preparatory School at Broadstairs, 1929-1934. Recollections of education at Stowe School, 1934-1939: links between Leonard Cheshire and John Randle; daily routine; medical specialisation; prominent teacher and pupil; nature of training with OTC.
REEL 2 Continues: nature of training with OTC including shooting at Bisley, drill, weapons and tactical training, summer camp and VIP inspections; awareness of approach of war; question of 'fagging'; status as senior boy; cups. Recollections of holiday in Canada, 1939: prior decision to join family firm; story of family conference on approach of war, 3/1939; decision to continue education; story of return from Canada via New York, US, 9/1939; US civilian reaction to arrival of Mauritania; escape of Bremen; view from Empire States Building in gale; US civilian attitude to war; Atlantic crossing, 9/1939; slot machine win; reaction to arrival in Southampton. Period studying estate management at Trinity College, Cambridge University, 10/1939-6/1940: lax medical on volunteering at army recruitment office.
REEL 3 Continues: signing on for enlistment when required; decision not to join OTC; boat club; attitude to war; refusal to accept decision to cancel May Week through fear of German attack, 5/1940. Recollections of guarding waterworks with Norwich Home Guard, 6/1940-8/1940: father's commanding role; story of forming square with Boer War veteran; minimal weapons. Recollections of training with Infantry Training Centre, Burton Road, Lincoln, 8/1940-12/1940: intention of subsequently joining Royal Norfolk Regt as officer; composition of draft; extra training from reservist; cleaning boots; posting to special squad for recruits with Certificate 'A'; story of being disciplined as part of feud between senior NCOs; passing selection board. Period at 165 Officers Cadet Training Unit at Dunbar, 1/1941-4/1941: billets; cold weather; map reading and tactical exercises; story of meeting Guards NCO; story of leave in Edinburgh; father's influence in securing posting to 2nd Bn RNR. Period at Nelson Barracks, Norwich, ca 4/1941: supportive attitude of family friend Colonel Norman Chand; learning to ride motorcycle; Recollections of period with 2nd Bn, RNR at Hessle, ca 5/1941-12/1941: reception and posting to 8 Platoon, A Coy.
REEL 4 Continues: relationship with Platoon Sergeant Bert Fitt and story illustrating his problem with his feet on forced march; opinion of Captain William Murray Brown and Colonel George Winter; story of meeting Major Robert Scott and firing his sawn off .303 on range; opinion of Scott and his reputation during former service with Palestine Police; opinion of Major Ian Lywood; opinion of Scott; officers' mess; relationship with ORs; role providing parties following German air raids on Hull including story of rescuing rare Dutch tiles from demolished house and emptying decayed meat from docks; role in writing rules for movement of motorised divisions by road; divisional movement exercise and minor accident on motorcycle whilst acting as battalion liaison.
REEL 5 Continues: duties on posting as battalion liaison officer, Headquarters Coy; role of adjutant; exercises on Ilkley Moor; composition of unit and process of weeding out of poor soldiers; coastal defence role. Period at Fairford, 12/1941-4/1942: mess dinners and games in officers' mess; age of officers; story of reconnoitring route with Winter ready for possible divisional concentration in Devon; battalion liaison officers' course; origin of Glover's nickname 'God'; preparations for posting overseas including question of destination, role as assistant adjutant, physical fitness tests, arrangements for first reinforcements, embarkation leave arrangements and inspection by King George VI.
REEL 6 Continues: story of inspection by Churchill and Turkish Ambassador; embarkation leave and parents' reactions. Recollections of voyage aboard Orbita from Glasgow to Bombay, India, 4/1942-6/1942: role counting troops aboard; crowded accommodation; composition of convoy; question of destination; weapons training and Scott's insistence on importance of accurate shooting; route to avoid U Boats; absence of women; lectures; men sleeping on deck; story of Lieutenant Richard Bothway's ruse to get ashore at Freetown, Sierra Leone; story of Royal Scots failed attempt to desert and swim ashore; news of possible involvement in Madagascar campaign; situation in India and confusion over diversion to India; period at Retreat Camp, Capetown, South Africa including, warning of anti-British attitude of Boers, climbing Table Mountain, reception from South African civilians, story of obtaining credit and story of party of sergeants' violent reaction to apartheid treatment of Sergeant Benjamin MacRae; reactions to news of posting to India; sailing unaccompanied across Indian Ocean.
REEL 7 Continues: reception on arrival at Bombay from Indian contractor and services provided for unit in peacetime; first impressions of Bombay. Period at Chinchwad Camp, 6/1942: necessity of digging drainage ditches due to monsoon; story of visit to Poona Club illustrating the attitude of some of local British community; inspection by Duke of Gloucester. Period at Karakvasla, 7/1942: absence of Indian servants; attitude within 2nd Div to Indians and Indian Army; rowing races on lake; combined operations exercises. Recollections of periods at Ahmednagar, 7/1942-3/1944: train journey; hut accommodation; charpoy beds; policy of training through day in contrast to usual Indian Army; importance of salt water to avoid heat stroke; question of sun burn; shooting competitions; motorcycle accident during brigade exercise 'Trek'; treatment for hepatitis; river crossing training.
REEL 8 Continues: detachment to guard Ahmednagar Fort and failed attempt to speak to prisoner Nehru; story of officer from Manchester Regt who opened fire on threatening Indian crowd in Poona and his subsequent interview with Wavell; story of ruse used by 1/8th Lancashire Fusiliers to remove Indian women blocking railway line at Bombay; training exercise for landing on Andaman Islands; story of joining Bombay Yacht Club; story of RSM rehearsing troops for Mountbatten's informal speech, ca 3/1944; period on internal security role at Ahmedabad, 8/1942-9/1942 including situation, story of Scott's role in clearing demonstration on arrival at railway station, occupation of Congress House and overall success; nature of jungle training at Belgaum including securing shooting rights, use of machetes for cutting through bamboo, platoon patrol exercises, question of snakes, use of mepacrine and mosquito precautions.
REEL 9 Continues: story of elephant alert; shooting game; course at Army School of Signals, Poona; story of repairing radio in action; posting as battalion signal officer; code of bugle calls developed for jungle warfare; map and compass training; contacts with Mahratta Light Infantry; relationship with officers of 1st Bn, Royal Scots. Period at Bangalore, 3/1944-4/1944: composition of Signal Section; range of 48 radio set and effect of jungle; distribution of radios; 11 radio set manned by Royal Corps of Signals to communicate with brigade; method of drying and carrying 48 radios; role accompanying colonel ready for orders; radio code and procedure; selection of best signaller for colonel's radio; origin of rumour of posting to Canada; preparations of kit for move to Assam including question of carrying revolver in action; role of officer's servant as runner.
REEL 10 Flight to Dimapur, 9/4/1944: lack of practice in airlifts and difficulty working out load tables; refusal to send radios with MT column by road; prior train journey to Amada Road; unscientific method of loading aircraft; ignorance of destination and consequent visit to Imphal and Jorhat; difficulty in landing on short airstrip; situation. Recollections of advance to Jotsoma, 4/1944: signal arrangements; coping with mixture of units; reaction to stores dumped by road; situation; terrain and nature of jungle; opinion of jeeps; nature of Naga village; Japanese shell fire; opinion of Japanese troops.
REEL 11 Continues: 'O' Group for Operation Strident taken by Scott and plan for right hook to Aradura Spur; preparations; dispute between Scott and General John Glover over order to wear tin helmets; inadequate maps; organisation of 'O' Groups and dissemination of orders; role of District Commissioner Charles Pawsey in organising Naga tribesmen as porters. Recollections of Operation Strident and march to GPT Ridge, 4/1944-5/1944: march from road to Khonoma; essential role of Naga porters; terrain; overnight stops; role of 144 Special Service Coy; pause at Death Valley; birthday breakfast; purpose of reconnaissance patrol; background to change of objective from Aradura Spur to GPT Ridge. Recollections of attack and occupation of GPT Ridge, 4/5/1944-28/5/1944: use of compass bearings; Scott's insistence on fire to provide tea from troops; artillery support arranged with Headquarters, 4th Bde; 'O' Group an plan of attack; question of start line.
REEL 12 Continues: role as signal officer; reversal of policy of only shooting at visible targets; story of repairing radio under pressure; terrain; situation; death of Captain Fulton; question of visibility of rank insignia; brief collapse of Scott with effects of malaria and temporary take over by Major Henry Conder; progress made by D Coy; Scott's departure to lead attack with A Coy; B Coy attack and increasing Japanese opposition; Scott's decision to cancel artillery support to maintain momentum of attack; consolidation on top of GPT Ridge; reliance on initiative of company commanders; reporting to brigade and divisional headquarters; setting up battalion headquarters on GPT Ridge; death of Lieutenant David Glasse in attack on Norfolk Bunker, 4/5/1944; story of Scott's head wound and reaction of Glover; work of Medical Officer John Mather; state of morale; situation and nature of Norfolk Bunker, 5/5/1944; death of Brigadier Goschen and Scott's temporary role as Brigadier, 7/5/1944; close escape from Japanese sniping, 5/5/1944.
REEL 13 Continues: casualties from Japanese sniping, 5/5/1944; question of high rate of officer casualties in jungle warfare; food rations; arrival of Gurkha supply column carrying rum rations, ca 7/5/1944; improvement of food supply; opinion of Lieutenant Jerry Myler and Captain John Randle; story of using advice from Randle in signaller's of court martial; Randle's reconnaissance patrol towards Norfolk Bunker, 5/5/1944; failed efforts to lay telephone lines; reports of attack led by Randle and Fitt of B Coy on Norfolk Bunker, 6/5/1944; question of inability to consolidate hold on Norfolk Bunker; opinion of Bert Fitt; question of award of Victoria Cross to John Randle for action at Kohima 5/1944; discovery of Japanese field hospital; counter-sniping activities; discovery of territorial Norfolk cap badges from capture of Singapore; question of treatment of Japanese POWs.
REEL 14 Continues: failure of various methods of destroying Norfolk Bunker; failure of Gurka attack, ???; patrolling activity towards Aradura Spur; shellfire from Japanese gun and story of Scott defiantly using thunderbox; unhygenic conditions; return for baths and re-equipment at Jotsoma; leave in Bombay. Recollections of attack on Aradura Spur, 28/5/1944: opinion of plans; failure of attack and evacuation of wounded Scott. Rest period at Dimapur, 5/1944: state of unit; personal morale. Recollections of advance along road to Mandalay, 6/1944-4/1945: opinion of Colonel Jock Carroll and question of his effect on unit morale; repair of blown bridges by Royal Engineers; BBC recording during suicide of Japanese soldier; role in reorganising A Coy and D Coy on Shaving Brush Spur after attack at Viswema, 9/6/1944.
REEL 15 Continues: use of artillery to fix position at Viswema, 9/6/1944; use of rum to counter attack of appendicitis; Japanese evacuation of Viswema; draft of anti-aircraft personnel; question of Norfolk character of unit; rapid advance to Imphal; capture of Japanese headquarters; rest period at Kigwema; interrogation of Japanese POW; absorption of draft of anti-aircraft personnel and training; opinion of various officers; opinion of various officers; lorry drive to Kalewa, 12/1944; early Christmas celebrations, 12/1944; fishing with grenades; story of inspection visit of General Oliver Leese; mule transport; advance to Shwebo; account of failed attack on Saye, 9/2/1944, including cancellation due to absence of air strike, role in organisation of smoke screen to cover withdrawal of troops in absence of Carroll from battalion tactical headquarters.
REEL 16 Continues: account of failed attack on Saye, 9/2/1944, including role in organisation of smoke screen to cover withdrawal of troops in absence of Carroll from battalion tactical headquarters; posting as adjutant; replacement of Carroll with Colonel William Murray Brown; unit morale and introduction of policy of active patrolling and 'jitter' tactics by Murray Browne; role as adjutant; superior dugouts dug by 2nd Bn, Durham Light Infantry; divisional concert party; crossing Irrawaddy in DUKWs; movements and situation; story of salvaging Japanese trucks; signal contact with Mandalay; recording of 'Calling Blighty' film for families; visit to Mandalay; strategic situation.
REEL 17 Continues: final patrol; airlift to India. Recollections of period in India, 4/1945-10/1945: period in US administered Kanchrapara Camp; prickly heat outbreak due to climate and shortage of water; move to Kamreddi Camp, Secunderbad; question of return to GB and unit's removal from fighting role; restrictions on leave; detachment to camp arranging water proofing of vehicles near Poona; reaction to use of atomic bomb, 8/1945; send off from Scott at Kalyan Transit Camp, 10/1944; story of ruse to get use of jeep at Poona; opinion of Colonel Tim Wilkins; question of joining Tokyo occupation force. Recollections of voyage to Southampton, GB, 10/1945-12/1945: ruse to bring back regimental souvenirs; meeting HMS Nelson. Period prior to demobilisation, 12/1945-8/1946: effects of war; leave; posting as adjutant at Britannia Barracks, Norwich.
REEL 18 Continues: organisation of parade and party in honour of 2nd Bn, RNR; vetting of personnel sent out to 2nd Bn, RNR in India; demobilisation, 8/1946. Return to Trinity College, Cambridge University, 1946: insistence on right to complete course; stories illustrating attitude of ex-servicemen to courses. Practical experience prior to joining family firm of land agents, 1949. Aspects of service with Headquarter Coy, 4th Bn, RNR at Cattle Market Drill Hall, Norwich, ca 1949-1961: background to re-enlistment; course at School of Infantry, Warminster; organisation of unit; story illustrating effect of territorial service on recruits; nature of training; summer camps; reasons for resignation, ca 1961. Membership of Royal Norfolk Regt Assoc: role as treasurer and trustee of Memorial cottages; reaction to formation of Anglian Regt; role of assoc; successful annual dinners; question of continuation of regimental Association