Description
Object description
British schoolchild evacuee from London to St Albans, Harpenden and Minehead, GB, 1939-1944; civilian in London, GB, 1944-1946; private trained with General Service Corps in GB, 11/1946-1/1947; gunner served with Royal Artillery in GB, 1/1947-11/1948
Content description
REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1928-1939: family; education; childhood; activities with Cub Scouts; recreational activities; awareness of international situation; memory of pupil wearing brown uniform; political beliefs; story of exhibiting paintings; holidays; construction of air raid shelters; description of wearing gas mask.
REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of period as evacuee in St Albans and Harpenden, GB, 1939-1941: evacuation with sister from London to St Albans, 9/1939; billeting procedure; opinion of host family and accommodation; question of homesickness; education; memories of declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; reaction to sound of air raid siren; discipline within host family; relations with local children; move to different billet in St Albans; description of accommodation and host family; visit to farm in Norfolk, 12/1939; opinion of host family; memories of Christmas, 25/12/1939; further moves in St Albans, 1940; description of billet and host families; move to Harpenden.
REEL 3 Continues: description of accommodation and host family. Aspects of period as evacuee in Minehead, GB, 1941-1944: reason for move to Minehead, 1941; education at London Regent Street School in Minehead; accommodation; employment with local butcher; amusing stories of pie and wallpaper; discipline including corporal punishment; further education at boarding school; description of school and dormitories; daily tasks; recreational activities; daily routine; opinion of food; school uniform and dress code; school assembly; presence of Jewish pupils; lessons; opinion of teachers.
REEL 4 Continues: organisation of school and staff; attitude to teachers and curriculum; interest in English literature; school timetable; food; activities with Army Cadet Corps; attitude to drill; tactical exercises; uniform; opinion of Spam; transfer to Air Training Corps and activities; aircraft spotting and model making; memories of Royal Air Force Supermarine Spitfire crashing; homework; recreational activities; listening to radio; story of shoplifting; amusing story of sheep in prefects room.
REEL 5 Continues: further details of school meals; communication with parents; summer holiday in London; buying clothes; fishing; question of danger from German Air Force bombing. Aspects of period as civilian in London, GB, 1944-1946: attitude to returning to London, 1944; effects of war on education; description of German V1 Flying Bomb and V2 Rocket attacks; attitude to using public air raid shelters.
REEL 6 Continues: academic ability; VE Day celebrations in London, 8/5/1945; employment at John Lewis Department Store; use of British Restaurants; rationing; School Certificate; employment with prospecting company; attitude towards prospect of military service. Recollections of enlistment and training as private with General Service Corps in GB, 11/1946-1/1947: call-up to General Service Corps for National Service, 11/1946; six weeks basic training in Dorchester; issue of kit and uniform; memories of other conscripts; accommodation in barracks; sleeping arrangements; kit inspection; daily routine; washing facilities; opinion of rations; attitude to drill.
REEL 7 Continues: cleaning rifle; rifle practice on range and memory of recoil; opinion of Bren Gun and Sten Gun; bayonet practice; route marches; running and physical training; cleaning of uniform and equipment; boots; canteen facilities; off duty activities; aptitude tests; question of selection for Royal Artillery. Recollections of period as gunner with Royal Artillery in GB, 1/1947-11/1948: posting to Deerbolt Camp, Startforth, 1/1947; description of Deerbolt Camp and accommodation; problem of cold weather and heating.
REEL 8 Continues: description of role as Observation Post Assistant; plotting position of guns on artillery board; estimating range and trajectory of guns; problem of snow; gun drill; removing ice and snow around camp; potato peeling machine; washing up machine; opinion of rations; card games and gambling; recreational activities and social life; examinations; posting to a 428th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regt on Isle of Wight, 5/1947.
REEL 9 Continues: arrival at Albany Barracks, Newport, Isle of Wight; induction parade; gunnery practice in Norfolk; duties of gun team; loading and firing; problem of misfire; duties as clerk in battery office, education clerk and unit librarian; detachment troops; duties as officers' batman; story of motorcycle; reason for not continuing service with British Army; demobilisation, 11/1948.