Solomons, Godfrey (Oral history)

British private and NCO served with Tower Hamlets Rifles, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) and 2nd Motor Training Bn, Rifle Brigade Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) in GB, 1939-1941; NCO served with Q Bombing Decoy Sites in GB, 1941-1943; civilian taxi driver in London, GB, 1943-1945

REEL 1 Background in East End, London, GB, 1913-1939: family and death of mother; living conditions; education; religion and question of anti-Semitism; activities with Boy Scout Movement and Army Cadet Corps; training and employment as taxi driver in London, 1935-1939; memories marches by British Union of Fascists in East End of London; attitude to situation in Europe. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 2nd Bn Tower Hamlets Rifles and 2nd Motor Training Bn, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) in GB, 1939-1941: enlistment with Tower Hamlets Rifles, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own), Territorial Army 5/1939; description of training in London and at Tidworth Camp; role as instructor at Tidworth Camp. Aspects of period as NCO with Q Bombing Decoy Sites in GB, 1941-1943: description of role providing smokescreens for industrial works in Corby, Billingham and Glasgow; problem of chest trouble caused by smoke and discharge on medical grounds, 1943. Aspects of period as taxi driver in London, GB, 1943-1945: basing in Stoke Newington and routes across London; question of petrol rationing; description of taxi; problem of blackout; taxi ranks; daily routine and customers. REEL 2 Continues: further comments on type of customers; description of night shifts and driving during air raids; taxi driver's club; story of carrying Prime Minister Winston Churchill as passenger; question of fear; memories of VE Day, 8/5/1945; attitude towards Holocaust.