Alexander, Vernon et al (Oral history)

Tobagan private served with Grenadian and Tobagan Regiment in Trinidad and USA, 1940-1944; served with 1st Caribbean Regt in Italy and Egypt, 1944-1945. Also includes contributions by Bereford Martin and Edwin George

REEL 1 Background in Grenada and Tobago, 1916-1940: family; education; opinion of GB; reaction to threat of war; reasons for enlistment. Recruitment to Grenadian and Tobagan Regiment, 20/9/1940. (Alexander, Martin & George): Recollections of service in Trinidad, 1940-1944: opinion of Company Sergeant Major Carlton Best; story relating to Best's training troops with captured German weapons; training; story of Vernon Alexander being chosen for overseas service; question of avoiding overseas service; opinion of British officers and NCOs. (Alexander): Recollection of Alexander's period in United States, 4/1944-6/1944: voyage from Trinidad to USA onboard 'TS Cuba' 32/4/1944; training in USA; reaction to being away from Tobago. Recollection of service in Italy, 1944: voyage to Italy onboard 'TS Santa Rosa' 30/6/1944; arrival in Naples, 15/7/1944; concealment of ship on Sicilian coastline; air attack on convoy; impressions of Naples; opinion of Italians; training near Mount Versuvius; story of playing cards by light of a barrage; move through Cassino. REEL 2 Continues: question of effects of experience; movements towards Milan via Rome and Florence; return to Mount Versuvius. Period in Egypt, 1944-1945; move to Egypt; climate; flies and mosquitoes; training for Burma campaign; guarding German POWs; conditions of POWs; POW morale. Return to West Indies, 21/12/1945; arrival in Trinidad 19/1/1946; demobilised 29/11/1947. Background to civilian employment Duties in Egypt 1944-1945; question of not seeing action; action of discrimination in army; story of fighting with South African and English soldiers.(Martin): recollections of period in Trinidad; jungle training and duties story of shooting a man on guard duty. (Alexander): question of treatment of ex-servicemen; pride in decorations; opinion of royalty; opinion of British; question of Tobagan armed forces future role. REEL 3 Continues: question of treatment of ex-servicemen.