Ashcombe, John (Oral history)

British aircraftman served with 5013 Sqdn, RAF in GB and North West Europe, 1943-1945; served with Welfare Unit, Headquarters, British Air Forces Occupation in Germany, 1945-1947

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Hackney and Winchmore Hill, London, 1925-1943: social circumstances; education; Boys Brigade activities; German pen-friend and question of approach of war; interest in music; outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; work in silk stocking factory, 1939-1940; work as stockbrokers clerk, 1940-1941; effects of German air raids including sleeping under stairs, blackout and journey to work; rationing; dances and dance bands; work as bank clerk, 1941-1943; training with No 17F, Air Training Corps; semi-professional gigs as drummer with dance band. REEL 2 Continues: circumstances failure of attempt to volunteer for RAF; call up for RAF, 8/1943. Reception and kitting out at No 2 Reception Centre, RAF, Cardington, 8/1943. Period at No 11 Reception Centre, RAF, Skegness, 8/1943-10/1943: billets; drill; playing piano in canteen; rifle and bayonet training; question of selection for radar and wireless training; relationship with recruits and instructors. Recollections of training at No 7 Radio School, RAF, Northern Polytechnic, Holloway, London, 10/1943-4/1944: physics course; problems with wireless course; visits to Queensbury All Services Club, Soho; reasons for failing examinations; recreations. Aspects of periods as aircraftman with 4768 Flight, 5013 Squadron, RAF, at Newmarket, Stradishall, Lockerbie, Quy and Eastbourne, 4/1944-7/1944: trade test and question of assignment as instrument repairer. REEL 3 Continues: unit role as airfield construction squadron; cookhouse arrangements; attending battle course; refusal of vaccinations; story of visits to London; embarkation at Southsea, Portsmouth; equipment carries; khaki uniforms. Recollections of movements in France and Belgium, 7/1944-10/1944: Channel crossing and landing on Mulberry harbour, Arromanches; sight of US DUKWs; move inland; picking up shrapnel on medical air evacuation strip at Banville; compo food rations; evacuation of wounded; use of diesel to suppress dust; movements. REEL 4 Continues: absence of unit transport; move in convoy, 8/1944; reception from French civilians; Polish food rations; period at Menin air strip, 9/1944-10/1944; attitude to 'bull'; question of trade and training as instrument repairer; crash landing of Hurricane. Period at Marcelcave, Amiens area, 10/1944-3/1945: repairing roofs; story of accidental damage to Mosquito; 'Malcolm Club' mobile tea bars; transfer as a flight clerk to 5541 Flight; postal orders sent home to GB; Christmas and new Years Eve celebrations, 12/1944; church services; French hair dresser; attending dance at Mareuil; makeshift covered trucks and problem with ice. REEL 5 Period at Helmond, Netherlands, 3/1945-5/1945: role as clerk; dances; friendship with Dutch woman. Period at Vennebeck and Stade, Germany, 5/1945-9/1945: absence of VE Day celebrations; school billets; securing piano; application to welfare officer for posting with possibility of playing music; building wireless sets. Recollections of period as clerk with Welfare Unit, Headquarters, British Air Forces Occupation, Buckeburg, 9/1945-9/1946: duties in orderly room and theatrical stores; blue RAF uniform; filling in band vacancies as drummer; promotion to leading aircraftman; demobilisation party in officers' mess; playing gigs as pianist with station band; question of contact with German civilians; nature of lifestyle and conditions of service. REEL 6 Continues: origins of band's name; question of pay sending postal orders home to GB; story of band performing on wireless broadcasts from British Forces Network in Hamburg and Paris; joining band of No 1 BAFO Gangshow 'Numbers Up' touring bases in Germany; story of losing shoes after drinking; visiting 'Gangshows'; winding down of unit with demobilisations; move into Buckeberg Barracks; serving in sergeants' mess. Period with Headquarters, 85th Wing, RAF at Hamburg, 9/1946-3/1947: general duties in officers' mess; duties on attachment to RAF police; playing piano; Jazz Club; role accompanying Danish policeman during interviews with suspects. REEL 7 Continues: drinking habits; GB leave, 12/1946; question of demobilisation; return to GB, 3/1947. Demobilisation, 3/1947. Post-war career: review of career as professional musician; work for Post Office.