Description
Object description
British trooper served with 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in GB and North West Europe, 1939-1940
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of background in Cupar, 1914-1939: presence of artillery units, 1914-1918; family history and circumstances; education; sporting activities; work as bookseller and binder in St Andrews, 1932-1938; Presbytarian religious activities; work at father's newsagents, 1938-1939. Recollections of recruitment and training with 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry at Bonnygate Drill Hall, Cupar, 2/1939-9/1939: reasons; armament and role of crew in Mark VI tank and Bren carrier; drill; rifle training at Annismuir Ladybank; learning to drive as civilian; summer camp at Catterick, 7/1939; story of outbreak of dysentery from disinfectant in tea; rapid recruitment of A Sqdn, 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry at St Andrews; distribution f squadrons; mobilisation, 2/9/1939. Recollections of initial period at Cupar, 9/1939-10/1939: billets; role on prior promotion to corporal, 6/1939.
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of Bren gun and Boyes anti-tank rifle. Period at Beaumont barracks, Aldershot, 10/1939-1/1940: barrack accommodation; role as NCO with Bren carrier troop; opinion of Bren carrier; opinion of various officers and NCOs including Lieutenant Cleghorn, Major Sandy Hutchison, Squadron Sergeant Majors Billy Gibson and George Robertson, Captain Foster and Second Lieutenant Brian Thomson; story of fire alarm in stables. Journey out to Le Havre, France, 1/1940. Periods at Cloques, Bernaville and Ivry la Battaile, 1/1940-5/1940: acting as unofficial interpreter and relationship with French civilians; estaminets and drinking habits; billets; food rations; pay; move to Bernaville; cold weather; attitude to 'Phoney War'; lack of contact with 51st Div.
REEL 3 Continues: move to Ivry la Battaile, 28/4/1940; estaminets. Recollections of operations in Belgium, 5/1940: initial fighting in defensive positions on hill above Ath including death of Troop Sergeant Bert Garland and evacuation of casualties from German machine gun fire; skirmish in woods; question of Belgian refugees on roads; straffing from German aircraft; aspects of fighting at Mont de Cassel, 25/5/1940-28/5/1940; continuation of retreat; leaving Bren carriers behind; story of being wounded by German shell in right arm whilst attempting to cross river and initial ignorance of wound; medical treatment by medical officer; evacuation by horse and car to Bray Dunes esplanade; evacuation arrangements; getting in rowing boat and trip out to minesweeper, 30/5/1940; treatment aboard ship; reception at Dover. Period at Seacroft Hospital, Leeds, 6/1940-9/1940: receiving tetanus injections from future wife.
REEL 4 Continues: Operation to remove shrapnel; state of arm and remedial electrical massage treatment; question of visits to local pub. Convalescence in Cupar, 9/1940-11/1940. Temporary medical classification as category 'D' and period as guard at Chertsey Hospital, 11/1940-2/1941. Various aspects of postings with 1st Fife and Forfar Yeomanry in GB, 1941-1944: rejoining unit at Wellingborough; promotion to lance sergeant; duties as driving instructor; courses attended; story of sergeants refusing to attend special drill parade; story of saluting empty staff car; ear injury during rugby game; various moves; story of driving in convoy; waterproofing and ammunition coirses; story of soldier undoing vital wheel nuts despite training; transfer from unit due to excess sergeants and policy of under 30s. Period at Royal Armoured Corps Depot at Catterick, 1944-1945; story of initial hut accommodation with squad of recruits.
REEL 5 Continues: lack of duties; rheumatic problems with shoulders and consequent medical downgrading as 'B1'; attending clerical course. Period as clerk in military crew aboard liner based in Sweden, 1945: role repatriating Soviet POWs; assisting quartermaster; demobilisation, 12/1945; problems with rough weather during voyage back to GB. Post-war career.
