Berryman, Hazel Edgar Bliss 'Dick (Oral history)

British NCO served as observation post assistant with Royal Artillery attached to 41 Commando, Royal Marines in Normandy, 6/1944

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1918-1939: family; education; employment; joining Territorial Army in Topsham, 1930s; reaction to declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939. Aspects of period with Royal Artillery in GB, 1939-1944: call-up, 9/1939; basic training at Larkhill; posting to West Somerset Yeomanry at Shepton Mallet; role as observation post assistant; coastal defence duties at Dungeness and Lydd; listening to radio; civilian reception in Barnsley, 12/1940; volunteering for Combined Operations; training with Combined Operations at Dundonald; technique of spotting for naval guns; spotter work at Papa Westray in Orkneys; attachment to 41 Commando, Royal Marines, 4/1944. Recollections of operations as observation post assistant, Royal Artillery attached to 41 Commando, Royal Marines in Normandy, 6/1944: his Channel crossing; landing with jeep on Sword Beach, D-Day, 6/6/1944. REEL 2 Continues: his observation post in church in Douvres/La Deliverande area; reaction to death of his superior Captain Dixon in German Air Force attack, 7/6/1944; observation post work from church tower in Ouistreham; withdrawal from Normandy. Story of training to become teacher after Second World War. Attitude to having served with Royal Artillery during Second World War.