Description
Object description
British NCO served with Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma) in India and Burma, 1945-1946; officer served with Women’s Royal Army Corps in GB and Hong Kong, 1950-1953
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Ceylon, India and GB, 1925-1939: family life in Naga Hills in Assam, India; journey from Naga Hills to GB for annual leave; education in GB. Aspects of period as schoolchild in India, 1940-1945: reasons for evacuation from GB to India, summer 1940; character of voyage aboard RMS Stratheden from GB to India via South Africa, 1940; reunion with father in Bombay, 9/1940; education at school in Nilgiri Hills; evacuation to Sherfield School in Simla on Japanese invasion of Burma, 1942; situation in Naga Hills; work for Red Cross in military hospital in Bengal.
REEL 2 Continues: problems speaking Hindi; details of father’s background and career in India; further details of education in GB; experience of earthquake as young child in Naga Hills; parents’ social activities and memories of Sir Charles Pawsey; contact with Naga Hill tribesmen; servants and father’s employees; degree of contact with other children; background of women who served with Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma); experiences of sister during Second World War.
REEL 3 Continues: Recollections of period as NCO with Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma) in India and Burma, 1945-1946: meeting Nin Taylor in Simla; kitting out in Shillong, India; posting to Chittagong, India; voyage aboard SS Sir Harvey Adamson down coast of Burma; VE Day celebrations on Ramree Island, Burma, 8/5/1945; move to Rangoon, Burma; accommodation in Rangoon, Burma; on leave in India, VJ Day, 15/8/1945; use of Japanese POWs for labour at Moulmein, Burma; contact with released Allied POWs in Mawbi, Burma; story of female ENSA performers bathing in sea; opinion of ENSA performers; running canteen in Rangoon, Burma after end of Second World War.
REEL 4 Continues: description of mobile canteens; food and goods sold to troops; setting up canteen on Ramree Island, Burma; living conditions; story of airlifted canteen; memories of Nin Taylor; question of non-military status and rank within Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma); origins of unit personnel including Indian and Burmese women; duties running mobile canteens.
REEL 5 Continues: story of RAF POWs marking roof of Rangoon Gaol; promotion to sergeant; social activities; state of health; question of visits by VIPs; communications with family; relations with troops; relations with Burmese populace; civil unrest in India; reaction to move to GB, 1947. Aspects of period as officer with Women’s Royal Army Corps in GB and Hong Kong, 1950-1953: background to enlistment.
REEL 6 Continues: officer training; role supervising signals office in Hong Kong; posting to Hong Kong, 1953; marriage and leaving army. Reflections on service with Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma): reasons for increase in interest in organisation; attitude towards role of Women’s Auxiliary Service (Burma).