Cheeseman, Ernest (Oral history)

British trooper served with 5th Bn Royal Tank Corps in GB, 1935-1939; served with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt in GB and France, 1939-1940; served as NCO with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt in North Africa, Italy and North West Europe, 1940-1945

REEL 1: Background in South Moor, Co Durham, 1917-1934: family; daily life and living conditions in mining community; wages and insurance for miners; father's employment as miner; story of injury to father at work; feeding of horses; wages; religious beliefs; influence of mother; discipline in home including use of corporal punishment; description of accommodation in colliery house; rent; daily routine; memory of pubs; description of activities with 1st West Stanley Boys Scouts; role as acting cub master; memory of meeting with Baden-Powell. REEL 2 Continues: purchase of uniform; role in celebrations for George V's Jubilee; annual camps and scouting activities; interest in engineering; opinion of usefulness of field craft; memory of childhood games and recreational activities; question of holidays; effects of General Strike, 1926; memory of soup kitchens at school; boots; story of father being fined for picking coal; coal allowance; use of coal to fill in roads; sanitary arrangements in home; education at South Moor Council School from age of five; problem with spelling; problem of being bullied; discipline; recreational activities including walking; left school aged fourteen, 1931; question of engineering apprenticeship and problem of lack of qualifications; living conditions during Depression; description of further education at Dole School and question of being taught a trade. REEL 3 Continues: aptitude for engineering and technical subjects; story of visit to Hartlepool Steel Works; story of visit to school by Chief Engineer of North East Railway; knowledge of engines and boilers; description of employment at colliery and reaction of father; question of dole money; nature of work at colliery. Recollections of training with Royal Tank Corps at Bovington Camp, Dorset, GB, 8/1935-9/1936: story of enlisting with Royal Tank Corps in Durham, 1935; reaction of parents; medical; posted to Bovington Camp, Dorset, 5/Aug/1935; description of accommodation in Recruits Reception Hut; sleeping arrangements; daily routine and duties; number and background of recruits; opinion of Sergeant Bill Rivers; cleaning of hut; messing arrangements for new recruits; issued with uniform. REEL 4 Continues: description of uniform and kit; care of uniform; spare uniform; puttees; kit stamped with name and number; how to get into uniform; disposal of civilian clothes; pressing trousers under mattress; lacing boots; problem with puttees; beret; wearing of Blue Patrols; memory of George V's Silver Jubilee, 11/1935; attitude to swearing; further description of accommodation in hut; one squad occupied two huts; NCO in each hut; beds and bedding; making beds; lighting; use of hooter and bugler to mark times; heating; coal ration; washing and sanitary facilities; storage of uniform and kit; cleaning duties; inspections and kit layout; purchase of swagger cane; cleaning gym; reveille; preparations for Saturday morning inspection; attitude to stealing; payment for lost items; clothing allowance; barrack room charges; sending money home; opinion of instructors. REEL 5 Continues: issued with further kit including First World War webbing, leather holster and pouch for revolver and ammunition, white pigskin belt; no leave allowed for first five weeks; cleaning of uniform and kit; problem of lack of coal; first parade at 08.30; cleaning of boots; question of wearing studded boots; problem of heating during winter; polishing of coal box and hut table; daily duties; question of homesickness. REEL 6 Continues: description of typical daily routine; drill; NAAFI break; physical training; opinion of food; relations with officers; amusing story of Adjutant's parade; further comments on drill; revolver practice and types of guns; cleaning revolver; rifle practice on range; gas training; evening meal; preparations for next day; description of NAAFI; recreational activities; organisation into companies and rank of private; medical and dental inspections and treatment; educational classes; transferred to Driving and Maintenance School. REEL 7: Recollections of training with Royal Tank Corps at Driving and Maintenance School, Bovington Camp, 9/1935-1/1936: pay; question of leave; uniform; guard commander; educational classes and examinations; attitude to discipline; opinion of training; attendance at night school; dress code; instruction in working of internal combustion engine; description of training on RYPA tank simulator; driving lessons on Morris commercial six-wheeler lorries with windscreens; drill instructor Sergeant Bill Rivers; description of driving lessons and opinion of instructors; instruction on other lorries; use of starting handle; question of physical exertion in driving lorries; gears; engine; cross-country exercises. REEL 8 Continues: opinion of driving instruction; question of passing driving test; size of lorries; drill and physical training; continuation of educational classes; maintenance of vehicles; stripping down and rebuilding engines; duration of course and passing out test; driving in convoy; speed; road discipline; manual dexterity test; problem of breakdowns; test results; description of drill for tank crews; use of flags and signal lamps to give orders; question of giving verbal orders; description of working on Vickers Armstrong air-cooled V8 engines; importance of manual dexterity; starting up engine on cold morning; use of starting handle; question of physical strength needed to drive tank and wearing gloves; description of tank gears. REEL 9 Continues: description of working on Vickers medium and light tanks and other vehicles; driving and maintenance qualifications; leave spent in camp; fatigues; daily routine and attitude to discipline. Aspects of training with Royal Tank Corps at Tank Gunnery School, Lulworth, 1-3/1936: description of camp; washing facilities and problem of water shortages; problem of lack of equipment and parts for tanks; description of training with Vickers machine gun; ability to repair gun blindfolded; development of manual dexterity; question of being able to fire at a moving target from a moving platform; types of machine guns used and training in firing guns. REEL 10 Continues: description of simulated firing exercises; communications between tanks commander and crew; use of telescopic sight; aiming and firing exercises; reason for not being allowed to load gun; lack of space in turret and question of visibility; use of First World War tanks as targets; question of multi-tasking for crew members. Aspects of training at Bovington Camp, 3-6/1936: further basic training including drill; question of passing out parade; daily routine on fatigues while waiting to be posted; relations with local civilians; recreational activities including walking in country; opinion of standard of recruits in Royal Tank Corps; question of expressing preference for posting; awareness of political situation in Europe; memory of Christmas leave, 1935; reaction of parents to uniform. REEL 11 Continues: effects of noise of gunfire in turret; question of training with HE and armoured piercing shells; training on wide variety of vehicles; weekend routine; church parade; story of driving First World War tank; posted to 5th Bn Royal Tank Corps, 5/1936. Recollections of training with 5th Bn Royal Tank Corps at Perham Down Camp, 6/1936-9/1939: description of journey to West Lavington and manoeuvres with 3rd and 2nd Bns; accommodation in tented camp of 1st Tank Bde; use of radio to control motorised brigade; description of radio equipment including 1928 valve set and MBMC set; use of Morse code, flags and hand signals; organisation of 5th Bn into four companies; strength of 5th Bn; company transport and support services; orderly room; role of close support tank firing smoke shells; HQ Coy; role of officers and tank crew; number of tanks; vehicles in coy transport section; question of windscreens; speed limit on roads. REEL 12 Continues: description of oil system in vehicles; engines; problem of driving in bad weather; description of duties of company fitters; role in desert warfare; question of danger as fitter; maintenance and repair of trucks at night; rotation of fitters; role of fitters under fire in keeping tanks moving; supply system; position of fitters at rear of convoy; attached to HQ Coy; description of duties; layout of camp including workshops, stores, guard room and tank parks; status of company officers and men; messing arrangements and NAAFI; concerts; description of adjacent camp housing mobile support units and aircraft; role as officers' driver; story of becoming a Driver Operator and description of role in tank crew. REEL 13: tactical exercises; description of using Tankets (Cardon Lloyd light tanks) for reconnaissance; crew; speed; communications including Morse code and flags; problem of interference on wireless and limited range; importance of wireless operator being skilled in Morse code; passing out test in Morse code; role of reconnaissance force; role of aircraft delivering supplies; co-operation with infantry; opinion of officers; memory of Bn CO Colonel Drew and reason for nickname 'Detention' Drew; story of officer with own plane; discipline and punishments; dress code; background and previous military experience of officers and men; question of quality of recruits; opinion of NCOs; civilian clothing. REEL 14 Continues: further description of tactical exercises; supporting units and co-with artillery; role of umpires and international observers; use of German 'Blitzkrieg' tactics; specialist training as wireless operator; description of MBMC set; problem of fitting wireless set into Vickers Medium Tank and subsequent redesign of tank; description of receiver and taking messages; use of pencils; communications with other tanks; use of shorthand in Morse code; section, company and battalion training as tank crew; machine gun training; brigade training; sections numbered and companies named; training in repairing basic radio faults; use of flags for communication; role of motorcyclist and liaison between tanks and infantry. REEL 15 Continues: transferred to HQ Coy; discipline; comradeship; relations with other ranks; accommodation in billets; recreational activities; messing arrangements while on manoeuvres; hygiene; opinion of food; question of Bromide in tea; role in recruitment drive in Midlands and the south of England; story of visit to car factory and civic reception; accommodation during tour; demonstration of Mk 6A Light Tank; description of Perham Down Camp; accommodation; washing and sanitary facilities; heating; question of Royal Tank Corps being under strength; inspections; hygiene. REEL 16 Continues: daily routine and duties; kit inspection; story of building model of medium tank; cleaning barracks; guard duties; standard of turnout; passed radio wireless exams, 1937; tactical exercises; practical training as Driver/Operator in tank crew; problem of interference on wireless; use of Morse code and flags; nature of tank to tank communication; opinion of No 9 and No 11 sets; further manoeuvres in Mk 2 Medium tanks; composition of 1st Tank Bde; turret and armaments; story of injury to loader; problem of steering tank on roads; problem of fire in tanks due to overheating of brakes. REEL 17 Continues: HE and armour piercing tank shells; description of training for tank to tank engagements; use of smoke shells; opinion of Mk 6 Light Tank and built-in smoke discharger; relationship between tanks and infantry; opinion of Brigadier Hobart and ideas; question of reliability of British tanks; fuel consumption; role of 1st Tank Bde in development of tank technology; shell supply; description of conditions inside tank; problem of high temperature and location of engine; attitude to design of tank; problem of limited visibility and noise; comparison of getting in and out of Vickers Medium Tank and Light Tank; rear door to evacuate wounded; question of adequate armour plating on Vickers Medium Tank; use of asbestos cladding inside; location of petrol tank and fuel consumption; location of Vickers machine guns on Medium Tank. REEL 18 Continues: storage space in tank; memory of wrapping up bottles of beer in cotton waste; problem of misfires; sanitary arrangements; description of Mk VI Light Tank; weight; stability; qualified as Driver/Operator and returned to HQ Transport Section, 1937; nature of driving duties and vehicles; changes to uniform and equipment in 5th Bn; question of effectiveness of camouflage; use of Light Tanks without turrets and fitted with searchlights and generators; description of experiments with balsa wood floats on side of tank; daily duties in HQ Motor Transport Section; problem of starting lorries in cold weather; opinion of 10 ton Crossley lorry; description of gunnery training at Castle Martin, South Wales; question of mechanisation of cavalry units; specialised engineering training at Chepstow, 1938; story of obtaining First Class Certificate of Education. REEL 19 Continues: comparison of conditions between training units and active battalion; recreational activities; attitude to discipline in Royal Tank Corps; practical jokes; pay; educational qualifications; attitude to officers; description of engineering course at Chepstow and qualification as Class A Trademan; problem of tool sizes; returned to 5th Bn; opinion of cavalry; reaction to Royal Tank Corps becoming Royal Tank Regt and reclassification of ranks, 1939; issued with new 'Hammer and Tongue' sleeve badge; story of inspection by Queen of tank units at Tidworth; role in driving Mk VI tanks. REEL 20 Continues: conversion of cavalry units to tanks; pay; part-time employment as bricklayer while on leave; leave entitlement; description of duties as fitter with 5th Bn; increase in numbers of vehicles; returned to role as driver and convoy training; description of US Christie Cruiser tanks; speed; armaments; crew; radio communications; question of vulnerability; role of 4th Bn; description of tanks used by 5th Bn; posted to Warminster, 9/1939. REEL 21 Continues: Recollections of period with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt in GB, 9/1939-4/1940: memory of outbreak of war, 3/Sep/1939; posted to Perham Down Camp; slept in lorries until tanks arrived; posted to Fording Bridge; attitude to outbreak of war; role as fitter and driver; posted to Harpenden; accommodation in manor house; sleeping arrangements; guard duty; amusing story of donkey; opinion of billets in town; relations with local civilians; use of garage as workshop; story of journey to Nuffield with tank engine; question of selling petrol to civilians; description of Valentine tank; engine; speed; wheels and tracks; comparison to Christie Cruiser; recreational activities and social life; religious services; baths; memory of Christmas leave, 12/1939. REEL 22 Continues: posted to Salisbury Plain, 1/1940; moved to camp at Alderbury near Salisbury; memory of cold winter; description of preparations for overseas service; maintenance of engines; attached to 3rd Tank Bde; attitude to overseas service; description of journey from Southampton to Cherbourg, 4/1940. Recollections of operations with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt in France, 4-6/1940: unloading of tanks; convoy of lorries; story of French civilian offering tea; joined 3rd Tank Bde north of Abbeville; story of ammunition being buried; question of finding food; use of Austin 3-ton lorries; story of changing clothes in wood; issued with rum ration; question of drunkenness in Bn; problem of refugees on roads; description of air attacks on convoy; story of repairing damaged tank; casualties and burial of dead; attitude to fear. REEL 23 Continues: opinion of effectiveness of training; further description of air attacks on convoy; movement of tanks along road and damage to tracks; role as fitter in repairing tanks; question of proximity of Germans; story of French civilians and baby; story of sergeant killed by bomb; attitude of refugees; description of retreat towards Brest; opinion of organisation and officers; withdrawal of tanks to Cherbourg; night stops; question of supplementing rations; arrived at Brest and destruction of vehicles; memory of marching into Brest carrying Bren gun; embarked on tramp steamer; story of strawberries. REEL 24 Continues: description of voyage from Brest to GB; use of Bren gun against air attacks; opinion of organisation of evacuation; amusing story of torpedoes; problem with ship's engine; length of voyage and conditions; rations aboard ship; arrived Milford Haven. Recollections of period in GB, 6-10/1940: entrained to Warminster and debriefed; given home leave; armed with revolver and reported to Drill Hall in Stanley, Co Durham in case of invasion; reaction of parents to return; back pay; attitude to Dunkirk evacuation; posted back to Warminster; Bn re-equipped with lorries; role in transporting supplies; posted to tented camp near Godalming, Surrey; recreational activities; description of training with Cruiser tanks; embarkation leave and marriage; story of being reported Absent Without Leave and punishment; vehicles loaded in Glasgow; returned to Liverpool and embarked aboard Stirling Castle, 10/1940. REEL 25 Continues: Aspects of voyage to Egypt, 10-12/1940: description of Stirling Castle and crew; accommodation; messing arrangements and opinion of food; escorted by two cruisers; problem of seasickness; inoculations; facilities aboard ship; daily routine and training; description of making sun compass; role teaching semaphore; physical training; weapons training without ammunition; sunbathing on deck; boat drill; arrived Freetown; question of shore leave; memory of bumboat and bartering; fresh water taken aboard and stored in swimming pool; memory of damaged cruiser in harbour; memory of crossing the Equator; khaki drill uniform. REEL 26 Continues: sporting activities; communication with home; arrived Durban, South Africa; question of black soldiers not being allowed ashore; social life ashore; censorship of mail; story of swimming in sea; attitude to apartheid system; description of Christmas celebrations aboard ship. Recollections of operations with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt in Egypt, 12/1940-2/1941: arrived Port Suez and first impressions of Egypt; accommodation in tented camp; opinion of rations; problem with stomach; role in taking vehicles from Alexandria Harbour and making them roadworthy; story of Egyptian stevedore; amusing story of whiskey; preparations for Bn to move into line; sandstorms. REEL 27 Continues: description of Mk IV and Mk 1 Cruiser tanks and comparison to Valentine tank; opinion of Mks 1-111 Crusader Cruiser tanks; problem of range of guns; daily maintenance duties including changing tracks; role of fitter with Bn; air filters; attitude to climate; question of tyre pressures changing with heat and cold; entrained from Amarya, 12/1940; transportation of tanks and vehicles; memory of stopping at Sidi Barrani and Italian grenades; use of petrol to remove fleas; problem of insects and scorpions; arrived Sollum; preparation of vehicles for desert; story of finding bottles of Italian wine at Fort Capuzzo and problem of using water from wells; description of sand storm; problem of visibility and losing contact with convoy; question of water rations; 'twisters' during sand storm; problem of flies; amusing story of ants. REEL 28 Continues: arrived El Adam, 1/1941; use of abandoned Italian vehicles for spare parts; description of journey across desert to Mersa Brega; problem of navigation and breakdowns; problem of running out of water; story of rejoining Bn; question of using up water ration; description of making water purification system; purifying urine as water substitute; use of dew and distilled water; water bottle filled with one pint for one day; working conditions; reuse of water; comparison with infantry; supply centers at Mersa Matruh and Tobruk; problem of leaking petrol cans; urinating into petrol can in sand ('Desert Rose'); method of making fly-trap from petrol can; memory of migrating birds; description of desert terrain and wildlife; number of operational tanks; joined cavalry unit to form composite battalion, 4/1941. REEL 29 Continues: casualties following attack by Rommel; medical services and supply lines; story of mechanic run over by truck; destruction of petrol lorry and casualties; moved along coast road towards Benghazi and arrived at Derna; description of road and terrain; problem of cratered road and shedding of non-essential supplies; memory of Derna being deserted; description of firing on enemy vehicles; story of lorry being hit by anti-tank shell and treated for shock; attached to Australian infantry unit in defensive line near Tobruk/El Adam road; description of trenches and wire; role in locating mines; opinion of rations. REEL 30 Continues: opinion of Australian troops; patrol duties; problem of dysentery and description of evacuation to Alexandra for medical treatment; posted to camp at Sidi Bishar; leave in Alexandria; description of camp; problem of fleas and use of DDT; put on cloth soaked with petrol to deter fleas; amusing story of cart driver; pay; rejoined 5th Bn; opinion of British Cruiser tanks and problem of breakdowns. REEL 31: description of recreational activities in Alexandria; memory of visiting Fleet Club; unloading tanks in Alexandria and story of ship damaged by mine; entrained for Mersah Matruh; description of Valentine tank; moved to Beni Usef and re-equipped with American Honey tanks; description of Honey tank; adaptations made to tank; question of spare parts; memory of visit to pyramids; amusing story of Egyptian driver; further comments on Honey tank and opinion of reliability; desert navigation and compass. REEL 32 Continues: further comments on desert navigation; living conditions; layout of camp and camouflage; lighting; refrigeration; sporting activities; mail; death of father; question of salting wells and springs when retreating. Aspects of operations with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt at Sidi Rezegh and Beni Usef, 11/1941-5/1942: attached to 4th Armoured Bde; transport divided between A and B Echelons; description of duties and layout of defensive position; night duty; living conditions for fitters; description of rotas and shift duty; problem of tiredness; trucks arrived at night; story of loss of supply column and all equipment; description of refuelling tanks and danger of fire; co-operation with reconnaissance units; sleeping arrangements in tank; memory of CO Colonel Drew. REEL 33 Continues: re-equipped with American Honey tanks; problem of contracting malaria and hospital treatment; description of tented camp; mosquito net; memory of American tank crews and role as instructors; opinion of Americans; question of Americans sabotaging tanks; description of operations at Sidi Rezegh; role in A Echelon and proximity to action; nature of work repairing tanks at night and under cover; problem of removing damaged tanks from battlefield and use of Scammel vehicle; casualties among fitters; moved to Delta area and further drafts; reaction to United States entering war, 12/1941; question of loss of weight and lack of sleep; description of damaged tanks and bodies inside; memory of smell; description of leave in Cairo and question of carrying weapons. REEL 34 Continues: opinion of Egyptians; problem of theft of vehicles; description of American Lee/Grant tanks and armaments; gun sights; problem of elevation of 75mm gun and field of fire; role in improving elevation; description of Grant tank and opinion of reliability; guns and crew; use of Crusader tanks at HQ Squadron; description of working on Grant tanks and repairing engines; period of training in camp. Aspects of operations at Gazala, Libya, 5-7/1942: moved to Gazala area; Grant tanks transported on trucks; nature of skirmishes on way to Knightsbridge Box; attached to 22nd Armoured Bde; large number of tanks damaged beyond repair; heavy casualties; radio communications; moved to Tobruk; story of repairing officer's tank. REEL 35 Continues: further bout of malaria and treatment; navigation across desert; promoted lance-corporal; nature of duties between unit and workshops; problem of minefields; story of German attack near workshops; opinion of rations; living conditions in desert; transferred to A Echelon on escarpment; story of German half-tracks; story of German pilot being captured; further bout of malaria and hospital treatment; description of escape from Tobruk and problem of Valentine tank breaking down. Aspects of operations with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt in Egypt and Libya, 7-11/1942: rejoined Bn and moved into positions on Alam Halfa Ridge; description of training; strategic plan; use of sand and oil to prevent reflection from windscreens; story of driving through minefield and detonating mine; nature of injuries and hospital treatment; rejoined Bn and sent on course for Sherman tank. REEL 36 Continues: description of training course at Tewfik; opinion of American instructor; training on maintenance of 30 cylinder Grant tank engine; rejoined Bn; description of types and condition of tanks in Bn; location of Bn in southern sector of Alemein line with 7th Armoured Div; story of visit by Churchill and Montgomery; opinion of Montgomery and strategy; moved north with Corps de Chasse at start of battle; further comments on Montgomery; route taken though safe corridor, 1-2/Nov/1942; memory of sleeping through artillery barrage; role of fitters repairing tanks as Bn advanced; position of Bn ahead of main British force; story of fitters taking German prisoners. REEL 37 Continues: condition of tanks; halted at Tobruk, 20/Nov/1942; story of padre organising burial party in Knightsbridge Box area; question of Germans burying dead; description of injury to finger and treatment at 10th Casualty Clearing Station in Tobruk; memory of singing carols on Christmas Eve; discharged to transit camp, 1/1943; description of journey across desert in truck carrying supplies to Free French Forces; problem of rain and punctures; shortage of water and breakdown. REEL 38 Continues: further description of desert journey to Tunisia; camp in wadi; description of being shelled and nature of shrapnel injuries; medical treatment in Casualty Clearing Station and Base Hospital in Cairo; convalescence and recreational activities; posted to Homs. Syria and promoted Acting Sergeant; role in charge of Reconnaiscance Troop vehicles; casualties in Bn. REEL 39 Continues: criticism of 7th Armoured Div by infantry; condition of tanks and vehicles; further comments on Montgomery; removing damaged tanks from battlefield using Scammel. Aspects of operations with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt at Homs, Syria, 8-9/1943: further training; recreational activities; re-equipped with new tanks; maintenance and waterproofing of vehicles; use of condoms; white metal parts painted to protect from sea water; fitters trained with explosives; description of terrain in Homs area; fitters provided with American jeeps and trucks; description of training for sea landing; accommodation in camp on coast; description of voyage aboard Landing Ship Tank (LST) to Italy; morale; memory of bodies in sea. REEL 40 Continues: Aspects of operations with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt in Italy, 9/1943-1/1944: arrived at Salerno and description of scene on beach; air activity; reaction to situation; description of LST hitting obstructions on approach to beach; damage to LST and vehicles and casualties; role of fitters in de-waterproofing vehicles; story of stray dog; opinion of American troops including Rangers; nature of operations with Reconnaissance Troop in open countryside; further comments on US Army; description of working under fire; problem of snipers; description of crossing the River Volturno; opinion of compo rations; heating rations on vehicle engines; maintenance work on damaged and broken down vehicles. REEL 41 Continues: story of Italian civilians; question of fraternization with local civilians; problem of road and weather conditions; relieved by Canadians; leave and recreational activities; description of voyage from Naples to GB, 12/1944; story of selling Africa Star to American; arrived at Oran; route marches; conditions aboard ship; lifeboat drill; problem of seasickness. Aspects of period with 5th Bn Royal Tank Regt in GB, 1-4/1944: arrived in England and journey by train; attitude to women workers; amusing story of oranges; arrived Mildenhall camp; problem of cold and snow; period of leave; question of wearing uniform and 'Desert Rat' badge on shoulder; story of incident at bus stop. REEL 42 Continues: posted to camp in East Anglia; Bn re-equipped; story of collecting Crusader tanks from factory; comparison of British and American tanks; opinion of Crusader tank; Reconnaissance Troop re-equipped with Honey tanks; description of tank and training course at Bovington Camp; role as instructor; recurrence of malaria and caught pneumonia; hospital treatment and convalescence; classed unfit for active service and reverted to rank of corporal; posted to army reinforcement unit. Aspects of operations in North West Europe, 8/1944-12/1945: posted to Tank Repair Unit near Brussels, Belgium; description of work repairing tanks; story of tank being hit by flying bomb and nature of injuries; posted back to GB, 12/1945. Demobilised at Hereford.