Interview with James Thomas Brown

British signalman served with Royal Corps of Signals in GB and Egypt, 1939-1945, including membership of Buckshee Wheelers Cycling Club in Egypt, 1943-1945

REEL 1 Background in Bow, London, GB, 1918-1939: family; education; employment; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 1939-1941: call-up to Royal Corps of Signals, 19/10/1939; move to 45th Infantry Divisional Signals in Taunton; signals training in Devonshire; coping with military discipline; role as wireless and line operator; witnessing German Air Force attacks on Bow whilst on leave, 1940-1941 including use of air raid shelters, incident of sleeping through night of bombing, damage to houses in his road, loss of Bryant and May's Recreation Hall and attitude towards German Air Force aircrews. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Andes from GB to Egypt, via South Africa, 3/1941: reception in Cape Town, South Africa. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals at Maadi Camp, Egypt, 1941-1945: basing at Maadi Camp; work in express letter office at Maadi Camp. Recollections of membership of Buckshee Wheelers Cycling Club in Egypt, 1943-1945: joining club, 1943; formation of club in 1942. REEL 2 Continues: supply of bikes from GB; nature of work in Maadi Camp and need for relaxation; buying bike from local dealer; collision with camel; earning nickname of 'The Diver'; death of chicken in front wheel; battle with savage village dog during cycle ride; dinner organised for club; annual Grand Prix de Gezira; twenty five mile time trials on Fayyum Road; other cycling clubs in Egypt; civilian associate members of club; cycling trip to Jerusalem, Palestine; cycling conditions in Egypt; trip to Kanka in strong wind; conditions of Egyptian roads; stone throwing villagers; relations with villager especially stallholders; organisation of club. REEL 3 Continues: use of his bike for work; collision with Egyptian in street in Cairo; work on printing press in General Headquarters, Middle East Command, Cairo; size of club; Silver Bully Beef Tin trophy presented to time trial winners; story of how he got interested in cycling as a boy in Bow, London, GB; difference between Buckshee Wheelers bicycles and British Army issue bicycles; entertainment in Maadi Camp including owning of piano accordion.