Description
Object description
British NCO served with Army Fire Service, Royal Army Service Corps in GB and Kenya, 1946-1948; served with 1st Bn Norfolk Regt in GB, Korea, Hong Kong , Cyprus and Germany; served with 1st Bn, 2nd East Anglian Regt in Germany, 1963; served with 2nd Ugandan Rifles in Uganda, 1964; served with 3rd Bn, Royal Anglian Regt in GB, Cyprus and Germany, 1969-1971
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of background in Southwold, 1928-1946: family background and circumstances; education and question of disruption caused by evacuation of children from London; damage to house in German bombing raid and consequent move; blackout; reinforced garage air raid shelter; filling sandbags; period in Winchmore Hill, London, ca 7/1940-9/1940, including German air raids, amusing story of sheltering in stair cupboard and return to Southwold; beach defences and cows killed by mines; blocked harbour and cut pier; winter conditions, 1940-1941; troops billeted in area; story of chasing off intruder attempting to burgle house believed to be soldier from 8th Bn, Durham Light Infantry.
REEL 2 Continues: training with 3rd Cadet Bn, Suffolk Regt, Army Cadet Force, 1941-1946, including recruitment, officers with First World War experience, uniform, rifle, drill, weapons and tactical training, annual camp at Shrublands Park and role on promotion to Company Sergeant Major; role as runner in calling out Home Guard personnel in event of invasion; assisting Home Guard in manning naval guns near Gun Hill; volunteer role passing on preliminary air raid warnings whilst manning telephone switchboard at Gas Works; work as apprentice gas fitter at Gas Works, 1942-1946; question of enlistment underage; German air raids and casualties; presence of 51st Div, 5/1944; news of D Day, 6/6/1944.
REEL 3 Continues: presence of US Air Force personnel; view of daylight US air raids and aircraft crash at Henham; relationship with US personnel; following progress of operations and opinion of Montgomery; VE Day celebrations, 8/5/1945; drinking habits; call up, 7/1946. Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle and daily routine during period with 53rd Primary Training Wing, Blenheim Camp, Bury St Edmunds, 7/1946-8/1946: kitting out hut accommodation; bunk beds; method of storing kit; preparations for kit inspections including folding great coat, layout, blancoing kit, polishing brass using button stick, plastic cap badges issued as General Service Corps recruits; methods of polishing boots.
REEL 4 Continues: washing facilities; role of hut lance corporal; food rations and cleaning mess utensils; drill; value of Army Cadet Force experience and promotion to acting lance corporal; organisation of training programme and opinion of Sergeant Calver; rifle training and cleaning; bayonet, Sten and Bren gun training; PIAT training.
REEL 5 Continues: PIAT training; 2" mortar training; hand grenade training; section tactical training; pick and shovel drill; digging slit trenches; night training; physical and swimming tests; discussions amongst recruits and lance corporal on progress of training; visits to Bury St Edmunds; canteens and pay; aptitude tests and interviews prior to selection for Royal Army Service Corps; passing out parade. Recollections of training with Army Fire Service, RASC at Cherry Tree Camp, Colchester, 8/1946-11/1946: hut accommodation; use of hook ladders; Coventry Climax Pump and hose drill.
REEL 6 Continues: use of Bedford QL Fire Tenders; knot used in rope rescues; fire man's lift; training tower; types of fire extinguishers used; modified regimental number on joining RASC. Recollections of period with section of 202 Army Fire Brigade based at 11 Command Workshop, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Ashford, 11/1946-1/1947: fire fighting equipment; promotion to corporal; routine duties. Period with Headquarters, 202 AFB, Kensington Barracks, London, 1/1947-5/1947: barrack accommodation and beds; billets; duties inspecting fire fighting equipment and arrangements of units of Eastern Command; driving licenses; volunteering for training as glider pilot and passing Air Crew Selection Board tests. Period with Glider Pilot Depot Sqdn, Airborne Forces Depot at Maida and Corunna Barracks, Aldershot, ca 5/1947: repetition of infantry basic training; delay in flying training caused by backlog from bad winter; PT tests prior to acceptance for parachute training. Recollections of parachute training at RAF Upper Heyford, ca 7/1947-8/1947: parachuting uniform; learning to roll on landing; 'fan' training jump machine.
REEL 7 Continues: 'fan' training jump machine and question of trainees dropping our of course; RAF instructors; parachute packing done by WAAFs; method of carrying and lowering rifles and kitbag during jump; personal morale before first jump; jumps from barrage balloon including operation of static line, method of steering, landing on dropping zone, collapsing parachute and possible problem with oscillation during descent; parachute jumps from Dakota including nature of night jump, jumping drill, personal morale and question of injuries; award of parachute wings. Period at Glider Pilot Depot Sqdn, Aldershot, ca 8/1947: question of reductions planned in unit strength; status as conscript; decision not to sign on as regular and consequent return to unit. Periods at 11 Command Worksop, Ashford and RASC Holding Unit at Thetford, ca 9/1947-12/1947: unpopular NCO; duties as guard commander.
REEL 8 Voyage with mixed drafts aboard Empress of India to Port Said, Egypt: 1/1948: assignment of ships duties; seasickness and rough weather; duties as ship's policeman; visit to Malta; story of duties in charge of baggage disembarkation. Period in transit camps at Port Suez and Port Tewfik, 1/1948-3/1948: tent accommodation; relationship with Egyptian civilians. Voyage aboard Askania to Mombasa, Kenya, 3/1948: conditions; visit to Aden; 'crossing the line' ceremony; first impressions of Mombasa. Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle and daily routine during period with Army Fire Brigade at McKinnon Road Camp, 3/1948-9/1948: joining unit at Kilindini; British NCOs in unit; background to development of strategic base on site; climate and terrain; story of python found in tent; tent accommodation; khaki drill uniform and slouch hat.
REEL 9 Continues: composition of unit and equipment; roles of fire tender crew; relationship with African troops; African troops diet; morning routine and food rations; cleaning vehicles; static water tanks and question of water supply; exercises; role of standby crew; African NCOs; recreations; story of escorting African soldier for period of detention in Mombasa and question of officer's authority; question of scrub fires. Voyage aboard Sythia to GB, 9/1948-10/1948. Demobilisation, 11/10/1948: demob suit; reasons for refusal to stay as regular with RASC. Period working as gas fitter at Gas Works, Southwold, 10/1948-1/1949: absence of commitment to reserve service; comparison of release systems of conscripts and national servicemen; reactions to civilian lifestyle; decision to re-enlist; purchase of King's Regulation; influence of career of local soldiers commissioned from ranks as Quartermasters.
REEL 10 Continues: decision to re-enlist and influence of career of local soldiers commissioned from ranks as Quartermasters Volunteering for service with Suffolk Regt at Norwich Recruitment Office, 5/1949. Period with B (Holding) Coy, East Anglian Training Regt at Meanee Barrack, Colchester, 5/1949-6/1949: loss of corporal rank; new regimental number; fatigue duties; story of evading initial drafts as unsuitable. Period as corporal instructor on continuation training programme with D Coy, East Anglian Training Regt at Hyderabad Barracks, Colchester, 6/1949-1/1951: introduction of extra training after complaint by Barbera Castle MP over length of training of drafts for Malaya; weapons and range training; fieldcraft and tactical training; nature of unit; opinion of NCO instructors; relationship with officers; relationship between personnel of various regiments and battalions.
REEL 11 Continues: warrant officers requirement to pass educational qualifications prior to confirmation of wartime promotions; opinion of National Servicemen; discipline and punishments including confined to barracks; procedure on reporting sick; welfare role of Women Voluntary Service personnel and padre; competitive approach between platoons; dissolution of EATR on return on recruit training to regimental depots; background to assignment of Medium Machine Gun Platoon, Support Coy on formation of 1st Bn, Essex Regt for service in Germany; composition of MMG Platoon and offer of promotion to sergeant. Recollections of attending course in Vickers gun at Support Weapons Wing, Netheravon, 1/1951-2/1951: characteristics of Vickers; direct and indirect fire; method of laying and firing.
REEL 12 Continues: delicate touch required in firing; stoppage clearance; stripping and cleaning; water cooling system and condenser can; history of use of Vickers in British Army. Recollections of attending instructors' course at Small Arms Wing, School of Infantry, Hythe, ca 12/1949: importance of lesson plans; importance of revising personal weapons knowledge. Recollections of period with 1st Bn, Royal Norfolk Regt at Dover Castle Barracks, 3/1951-6/1951: background to posting and reactions; question of posting to Hong Kong and reduced state of unit; first impressions of unit; opinion of Regimental Sergeant Major J W Gilchrist; opinion of various NCOs and officers.
REEL 13 Continues: posting to MMG Platoon, Support Coy; diminished promotion prospects on arrival of extra NCOs; attempts to leave unit including application for commission prior to news of posting to Korea; increased promotion prospects on departure of excess NCOs on health grounds; arrival of drafts and training programme; nature of barracks and tunnels; composition and role of Support Coy; section training. Period at Crowborough Camp, 6/1951-8/1951: visit by Major General E C Hayes; question of corporals' mess; promotion to sergeant and interview with Gilchrist; nature of sergeants' mess including layout, composition, drinking habits, characters including Provost Sergeant Dennington, Sergeant Leeton, Company Sergeant Major Bell and Sergeant Bell; relationship between NCOs of 1st and 2nd Bn, RNR; review of Gilchrist's career.
REEL 14 Continues: issue of hot and cold climate unifors and equipment; vaccinations; battalion training at Practical Training Area, Stamford, 7/1951, including establishing bivouac lines, role of Support Coy, tactical training and question of adequacy of training as unit; frequent Bren carrier accidents during return to Crowborough; opinion of Bren carriers and drivers; role escorting regimental colours to be laid up at Britannia Barracks, Norwich; embarkation leave; story of car accident and refusing opportunity to evade Korea service with court case; personal morale and parents' reaction.
REEL 15 Recollections of voyage aboard Empire Orwell to Pusan, Korea, 8/1951-9/1951: beds; role as troop deck sergeant supervising cleaning and daily inspections; sergeants' accommodation; food; send off at Southampton; route; first impressions at Pusan and welcome from President Sigmund Rae; PT and weapons training; Private Judd's hypnotist act at concert party; lectures; opinions of Colonel J H P Orliber. Period at Britannia Camp, 10/1951: prior train journey; US 24 hour rations; marquee tents; hill country route march. Period in reserve lines, 10/1951: taking over from 1st Bn, Royal Ulster Rifles; handover of equipment; lack of role for Anti-tank Platoon and consequent merger with MMG Platoon; nature of defensive positions in hills. Recollections of period in front line area between Hills 355, 317, 210 and 217 in Kowang San area, 13/10/1951-11/1951: situation; occupying reverse slope machine gun positions in Hill 317 and 210 sector occupied by 1st Bn, King's Own Scottish Borderers.
REEL 16 Continues: nature of machine gun posts and control position; 31 wireless set on battalion net; phonetic alphabet and wireless procedure; operation of Barr and Stroud range finder; telephone; role of F Echelon and platoon sergeant in ammunition supply; stand to; water ration and washing; question of shaving; stripping and cleaning Vickers; varied personal weapons; sentry rota; sleeping in fox holes; Chinese shellfire; move to carry out diversionary shoot from Hill 335; call signs; Chinese mortar fire whilst pulling out of Hill 335; South Korean porter attached to MMG Platoon; re-occupying reverse slope position; close escape from shell during preliminary bombardment prior to successful Chinese attacks on KOSB positions on Hills 317, 210 and 217, 4/11/1951.
REEL 17 Continues: situation following Chinese capture of hills; view of failed counter-attack by 1st Bn, Leicestershire Regt, 5/11/1951; question of inaccurate reports in British newspapers; case of self inflicted wounds; situation; move back to consolidate unit, ca 15/11/1951. Period in front line area in Seni-Chan Valley, 11/1951-3/1952: taking over positions from Canadian unit; positions in C Coy sector facing The Hook; nature of terrain; improving machine gun posts and overhead cover; nature of personal dugout including drip feed petrol fire heating and bed; US food rations; Japanese beer rations; rum ration; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1951; visits from officers and padre; role of machine gun post.
REEL 18 Continues: pre-identified defensive fire zones; question of opportunity targets and harassing fire; valley mists; question of shortage of ammunition; and salvaging supplies form battlefield; nature as quiet sector; question of lice problem; mobile shower; successful shoot in support of night patrol led by Lieutenant A P Towell; latrines; issue of cold weather uniform; nature of winter conditions; story of patrol ambushed in Korean village; situation for company troops and patrol activity; move back to reserve positions.
REEL 19 Not available.
REEL 20 Continues: food rations and cookhouse on reserve slope; question of Chinese infiltration; Chinese shellfire and hidden gun positions; Allied air superiority; drainage preparations for wet season; issue of tropical uniforms prior to hot season; headgear and question of wearing steel helmet; reports of various patrol incidents; regimental casualties; situation; reports of failed attempt to seize Chinese prisoner on Hill 118; personal morale; reasons for rejecting opportunity to take War Office Selection Board in GB; attitude to Chinese soldiers and use of derogatory racist nickname 'Gook' for all Chinese and Koreans. Period in reserve positions, 7/1952: arrival of replacements for time expired national servicemen; comparison of national servicemen and regulars.
REEL 21 Continues: minefields; use of barbed wire; period based at Ebisu Leave Camp, Tokyo, Japan, 3/1952, including prior issue of battledress and medal ribbon, air flight, stay in hotel in Tokyo, pay, recreations and relationship with Japanese civilians; reactions to end of tour in Korea; memorial service at Military Cemetery, Pusan. Voyage aboard Empire Orwell to Honk Kong, 9/1952. Recollections of period at Norwegian Farm Camp, New Territory, Hong Kong, first impression; bed bugs problem; hut accommodation and latrines; preparing defensive positions on Nameless Hill; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1952, including parties in sergeants' and officers' messes and football match.
REEL 22 Continues: platoon and cadre training; question of Chinese threat. Recollections of selection, training and participation in colour party for Queen's Coronation in London, 3/1953-6/1953: composition of party; voyage back aboard Asturia; leave; drill at Britannia Barracks, Norwich; uniform; story of discarding groundsheets prior to parade and onset of rain; order of parade; crowds; return to Hong Kong; conversations with Gilchrist and question of his relationship with Colonel G R Turner-Cane. Recollections of period with Support Coy based at Dill's Corner Camp, ca 7/1953-9/1954: battalion dispositions; terrain; Chinese drink sellers; routine duties; training at Sai Kung Battle Camp; re-issue with Bren carriers on leaving Korea; role on promotion to platoon sergeant and relationship with Lieutenant Tony Towel and CSM Jim Clough; weekly RSM drill parade.
REEL 23 Continues: sergeants' mess; food rations; drinking habits; married quarters; recreations and establishing .22 range; story of dispute between Turner-Cane and Gilchrist over battalion sports day and subsequent dismissal of Gilchrist; opinion of RSM Tim Chatting; local leave and recreations; hospitalisation with eye problem. Voyage aboard Devonshire to GB, 9/1954-10/1954. Period at Roman Way Camp, Colchester, ca 10/1954-7/1955: camp layout; disembarkation leave and retention of parties of newly drafted personnel due to flood warnings; introduction of Wombat anti-tank gun; reduction in size of MMG Platoon; role on promotion to Company Quartermaster Sergeant of Support Coy, 5/1955; role on posting as CSM of C Coy, 6/1955; story of dealing with lazy officer; opinion of Major A H Athill; role of company commander.
REEL 24 Continues: amusing story of crow seeming to give word of command during drill parade held by Chatting; attending drill course at Pirbright Camp, ca 7/1955-8/1955; return early on emergency posting of unit to Cyprus; loading aircraft and airlift in Hastings to Cyprus, 9/1955. Period at CBS Camp, Nicosia, 9/1955-2/1956: work establishing new camp; internal security duties guarding key installations and street patrols; Christmas celebrations, 25/12/1955. Period on detachment with C Coy attached to 2nd Bn, Royal Inniskillin Fusiliers at Famagusta, 2/1956-4/1956: reception; internal security duties; opinion of Colonel Neil Freeland; rejoining unit. Period at Thorny Camp, Limosol, 4/1956-11/1956: improvements to camp; C Coy role on internal security duties guarding key installations including prior briefings, inspection visits and story of catching guards asleep.
REEL 25 Continues: question of attacks on guard positions; incidents on patrols; attitude to Greek and Turkish Cypriots; guard on Greek Cypriot under death sentence; assassination attempt on Lord Harding; village searches; soldiers attitude to searching civilians; return to GB to complete drill course at Pirbright Camp, ca 6/1956-7/1956; casualties in scrub fire and traffic accident; effects of Suez Crisis. Voyage aboard Empire Clyde to GB, ca 12/1956. Period at Aldershot Barracks, Iserlohn, West Germany, 1/1957-8/1959: attitude as CSM to word of command, discipline, parade inspections and drill; introduction of Sterling sub- machine gun; rifle shooting competitions; nature of training and autumn army exercises.
REEL 26 Continues: company route march and deployment exercise; question of minimisation of use of transport; relationship with German civilians; question of threat from Soviet Union; transfer to Quartermaster's Department; role in establishment and administration of winter warfare camp at Willingham including insulating marquee tent, skiing training parties, food rations and braking up camp; shooting in rifle shooting competition; opinion of RSM G V Raynor; role of QM Dept; absence of theft; role onposting as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, 2/1059; opinion of QMs Major A J Joanny and Lieutenant E Howard; late celebrations of Battle of Almanza, 5/1959.
REEL 27 Continues: effects of amalgamation of 1st Bn, RNR and 1st Bn, Suffolk Regt to form 1st Bn, 1st East Anglian Regt; loss of position of RQMS; review of formation of 1st Bn, 3rd EAR and 1st Bn, 2nd EAR Regt. Period as CSM of Training Coy, 1st East Anglian Regt Depot at Gibraltar Barracks and Blenheim Camp, Bury St Edmunds, 10/1959-1/1962: prior refresher course at Small Arms Wing, School of Infantry, Hythe; organisation of Blenheim Camp and role as CSM; opinion of Major K C G Lywood; specialist instructors; question of extension of primary training period. Period as CSM with 1st Bn, 1st EAR at Dovercourt Camp, 1/1962-1/1963: results of merger; role administering skiing party at hut in Aviemore area; results of being left behind on emergency mobilisation of unit to British Guinea; acting as camp CSM and assisting QM; return of unit, 11/1962. Period as RSM with 1st Bn, 2nd EAR at Osnabruck, Germany, 1/1963-1/1963: reactions to posting.
REEL 28 Continues: composition of unit from 1st Bn, Lincolnshire Regt and 1st Bn, Northamptonshire Regt; composition of East Anglian Regt and Royal Anglian Regt; role as RSM including discipline, battalion drill parades and ammunition supply in action; relationship with Colonel R P Erskine Tulloch and Adjutant Major Mike Aris; relationship with Colonel Chambers and Adjustant Captain C W T Lumby; reactions to offer of short service commission as QM, 9/1963. Recollections of period as QM with 2nd Bn, Uganda Rifles based at Moroto, Karamojo area, Uganda, 2/1964-9/1964: disrupted journey and changes in status due to mutinies in East African units; advisory role to Ugandan QM.
REEL 29 Continues: bungalow at Mbale; weekly routine; minimal role as advisor; relationship with Ugandan QM and Colonel; composition of British personnel; nature of African troops; role of unit in preventing cattle rustling; terrain; arrival and situation of family, 5/1964; replacement by Israeli advisors, 7/1964; return to GB, 9/1964; prior family holiday. Period as QM with Headquarters of 39th Infantry Bde and Signals Sqdn at Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, 1/1965-12/1967: prior courses in air portability and MT; composition of unit; role as QM; opinion of Brigadier Chandos Blair, Brigadier John Strawson and Brigade Major Tony Jeapes; test mobilisations to Otterburn Camp and Stromness, Orkneys.
REEL 30 Continues: evasion and survival exercise on Stromness and Isle of Hoy; exercise at Stamford; question of improving condition of married quarters; absence of security problems and role. Period as MT Officer with School of Infantry, Warminster, 1/1968-6/1969: dislike of MT role; effect of arrival of Small Arms Wing from Hythe. Period as QM 1 and QM 2 with 3rd Bn, Royal Anglian Regt at Aldershot, 7/1969-10/1969: reorganisation of EAR into RAR; role of QM 1 and QM 2; background to change of role to QM 2; opinion of Colonel Keith Birch and dispute over question of posting to MT Officer role. Period at Kitchener Lines, Polymedia, Cyprus, 10/1969-4/1970: dispositions ban on families coming out to Cyprus; situation and visits to other United Nations units; issue of UN medals. Period at Aldershot, 4/1970-12/1970: success in avoiding requirement to pay excessive barrack damages on leaving barracks.
REEL 31 Continues: success in avoiding requirement to pay excessive barrack damages on leaving barracks. Period at Aldershot Barracks, Padderborn, 12/1970-12/1971: role with advance party on taking over from Royal Engineers; nature of officers' mess; night parade. Recollections of period as QM with 5th Bn, RAR at Peterborough, 1/1972-12/1975: NATO role on mobilisation; dispersed nature of unit; role and contacts with CQMSs; opinion of territorials; visit to Germany; annual camps at Otterburn and Sennybridge; importance of musical band; desire for active Northern Ireland service. Period of service in Northern Ireland, 1/1976-3/1978. Period as QM with School of Preliminary Education, Royal Army Educational Corps at Corsham Camp, 3/1978-6/1981: role of unit in preparing potential recruits; question of lack of monitoring of success rates and subsequent closure; role as QM. Period as QM at Queens Divisional Depot at Bassingbourne, 6/1981-6/1982: situation; detachment to Infantry Junior Leaders Bn at Shorncliffe Camp, 9/1981-3/1982; unit role in training future NCOs.
REEL 32 Continues: return to Bassingbourne; reaction to role as QM 2 and background to resignation from army. Post service career: initial plans; membership of RNR Assoc and British Korean War Veterans Assoc.