Stark, Leslie James Alexander (Oral history)

British civilian in Sussex, GB, 1939-1945; NCO served with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in Greece, 1946-1948

REEL 1 Background in Cupar and West Dean, GB, 1927-1939: family and education. Story of crash of Hurricane during searchlight exercise at West Dean, 6/1939. Recollections of period as civilian in West Sussex, 1939-1945: lack of problems over issue of identity cards, 1939; move of family to Wadhurst during winter, 1940; presence of Canadian ambulance unit in Wadhurst, 2/1940; anti-glider precautions, 1940; sight of German Air Force formations, summer 1940; aircraft which came down in Wadhurst area during Battle Of Britain; German Air Force use of lake as navigation point, 1940; move of family to woodland near Mayfield, 8/1940; near miss from isolated bombing attack; Lord Haw Haw's inaccurate account of air raid near Wadhurst; Spitfire brought down between Mayfield and Burwash, 9/1940; rescue of injured pilot from RAF Manston; contact with Canadian armoured car regiment, autumn 1940; incident of family's narrow escape from scattering of bombs. REEL 2 Continues: second narrow escape from stray bomb; bomb which destroyed well in Mayfield area; air raid precautions at Mayfield school, winter 1940- 1941; time keeping of trains in Tunbridge Wells; Canadian Army presence in Maidhurst area, 1941; story of bombing of house in Wadhurst park and how George Medal was awarded to wrong person, 12/1941; empty bomb courtesy of Czechoslovakians; UXBs in marshes; joining 6th Sussex Bn, Maidhurst Home Guard, 10/1942; German Air Force strafing attack on Charlton Sawmill and failure of Observer Corps to track aircraft, 11/1943; effect of navy rum on Canadians after Dieppe Raid, 8/1942; opinion of French Canadians in Maidhurst area c1944; Cockney attitude to V2 strikes on London, 1944; attitude of US troops to civilians; narrow escape from V1, Maidhurst, 1944. REEL 3 Continues: sight of D-Day armada from South Downs, 6/6/1944; sight of tanks going to France, 6/1944; death of local boy Jack Ifold on D-Day; friendship with Canadian officer. Joining army, 8/1945 and wish to join Parachute Regt. Period of training in GB, 1945-1946: reception in Colchester; training at 1 ITC Parkhurst, Isle of Wight and acceptance into Parachute Regt; injury during assault course and transfer to Durham Light Infantry in West Hartlepool. Journey with Durham Light Infantry from GB to Greece via Italy, 2/1946-3/1946: move to France and train journey to Milan. REEL 4 Continues: sight of devastation in Italy; voyage from Naples to Piraeus, Greece aboard Empire Rival, 3/1946. Recollection of period as NCO with Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in Greece, 1946-1948: arrival in Thrace; peace keeping role of British forces, 3/1946; civilian conditions in Xanthe area; duties with headquarters coy; low level of casualties from ELAS action; move to MT; coping with winter conditions in Xanthe; wounding by shot from Greek militiaman; apprehension of Greek troops due to ELAS activity; danger of mines during motor transport convoy work, 2/1947; disposal of vehicles left behind by 17/21 Lancers in Salonika. REEL 5 Continues: motor transport work in Salonika area, 1947; lack of unit reinforcements, 1947; arranging for leave in GB, 6/1947; court of enquiry after road accident with tram; opinion of officers and NCOs he came into conflict with; ten day period in bed with stress related to depleted state of unit; rescue of brigadier in out of bounds area; promotion to sergeant, 12/1947; army and unit customs; refusal of chance of short service commission 12/1947; abortive attempt to induce him to sign on, 1/1/1948; return to GB, 2/1948. REEL 6 Continues: Story of abortive attempt to order him to escort army prisoners from Southampton to Catterick, 2/1948. Demobilisation in Woking GB, 2/1948. Illegal diversion of army and UNRRA supplies to civilians, Greece, 1946-1948. Opinion of short service commissions. Reasons for leaving army, 1/1948.