Description
Object description
British civilian in Burma, 1940-1942; NCO and officer served with Women's Auxiliary Service (Burma), 1942-1946
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of period as civilian in Burma, 1940-1942: father's work with colonial service in Burma; education in GB and Burma; Japanese invasion of Burma, 1942; arrival of Brigadier Sir John 'Jackie' Smythe; Japanese air raids; leaving Moulmein; train journey; evacuation of Rangoon; how she was 'cashiered by Nin Taylor for refusing to be separated from her mother; visiting abandoned houses; difficulties of car journey to Maymyo; arrival in Maymyo.
REEL 2 Continues: Recollections of period as NCO with Women's Auxiliary Service (Burma) in Burma, 1942: joining staff of General Harold Alexander; story of how father was wrongly arrested by British officers as Japanese spy; refusal to go to India with father; accommodation and living conditions; crossing bridge during evacuation from Maymyo; attitude of Burmese towards British; Japanese air raid on Shwebo; aiding casualties after air raid at Shwebo; situation in hospital at Shwebo; friendship with Arthur Watts; evacuation from Shwebo.
REEL 3 Continues: evacuation by air to Dum Dum, India; story of Mrs Childers; memories of Nin Taylor during evacuation; three month stay in India. Recollections of period as NCO and officer with Women's Auxiliary Service (Burma) in India and Burma, 1942-1946: conditions in initial accommodation; dispersal of unit members after three months; various postings in India; visiting brother; return to Burma by air.
REEL 4 Continues: arrival in Burma after problematic journey; obtaining canteen supplies; working on mobile canteens; how army personnel reproached comrades for using bad language in front of women; story of how Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers personnel taught them how to fix jeeps; living conditions; keeping kitten as pet; move to Imphal; situation for Burmese refugees; canteens set up in Imphal area; type of vehicle used; memories of Cecil Beaton taking photographs; digging mobile canteen out of mud; story of how she disguised herself as Gurkha to visit boyfriend in Tiddim.
REEL 5 Continues: preparations for second evacuation during Japanese advance towards India, 1944; return to Burma; meeting father's former bearer at Meiktila; incident of disturbing intruder in bungalow; reaction to posting to Rangoon, 1945; leave in India, 1945; journey to Java, Dutch East Indies, 1945; receiving news of Japanese surrender; incident of being chased around boat by former POW; leaving organisation. Aspects of period as civilian in GB, 1947: arrival in GB, 6/1947; reunion with boyfriend disfigured during war.
REEL 6 Continues: reaction to having queue for clothing coupons; move to Ireland and obtaining employment. Aspects of period as NCO and officer with Women's Auxiliary Service (Burma) in India and Burma, 1942-1946: food served in mobile canteens; rations; attitude towards role of Women's Auxiliary Service (Burma); recruitment.