Badman, Alan (Oral history)

British officer served with West African Engineers attached to 82nd (West African) Div in Nigeria, India and Burma, 1943-1946

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Highgate and Muswell Hill, London, 1920-1940: social circumstances and religion; education; summer holidays in Somerset; question of political beliefs; background to taking articles as chartered engineer with Hornsea Council, 1937-1939; pre-war air raid precautions; effects of outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; role in charge of construction of air raid shelters at Ducketts Corner, Turnpike Lane; abandoned road schemes; mortuaries; story illustrating role of dealing with unexploded bombs. REEL 2 Continues: story of dealing with parachute mine; inquiry into location of fire stations; duties. Period as assistant divisional engineer, Essex River Catchment Board, Colchester, 1940-1942: role monitoring sea defences and drainage canals; story of close escape from mortar shell in army exercise and background to recruitment into army, 1942; prior period as platoon commander in Essex Home Guard, 1940-1942. Period as sapper at Royal Engineers Depot, Chatham, 1942: question of passing tests and selection as officer cadet; conditions of service; basic training. Period at pre-Officers Cadet Training Unit course at Wrootham, 1942. REEL 3 Continues: RE platoon; relationship with instructors and story of being discipline; endurance test on escarpment. Period at Royal Engineers OCTU, Newark, 1942-1943: Bailey and pontoon bridge training; story of planning exercise in demolition of bridges illustrating importance of punctuality; explosives and demolition; story of battle exercise in Wales including accidental shooting, carrying PIAT and overcoming exhaustion; theoretical training; trench digging. REEL 4 Continues: question of failing course; story of passing out parade; question of posting to Africa and kitting out. Voyage aboard troopship to Freetown, Sierra Leone, 1943: route; role in charge of party of soldiers; conditions; state of morale. Period at Freetown, ca 1943: first impressions; story of African servant; African musicians; detachment to survey dam site; voyage down coast to Lagos, Nigeria. Aspects of period with 2nd Gold Coast Field Coy, West African Engineers attached to 2nd Regt, Gold Coast Regt, West African Frontier Force based in Olokemeji area, Nigeria, 1943-1944: appearance of African women; impressions during jeep journey inland; effects of climate and ants. REEL 5 Continues: reception on joining unit in jungle clearing; relationship with officers; composition of unit; question of British officers and NCOs treatment of African women and soldiers; story of first parade with platoon; stories illustrating inexperience as officer; background to assignment of 82nd West African Div to Far East after Japanese Arakan offensive, 1944; work devising pillboxes with all round defensive capabilities; felling trees with explosives; story of censoring BNCOs letter; background to leaving unit. Period with 4th West African Field Coy, WAE attached to 4th West African Regt, RWAFF based in Olokemeji area, 1944. REEL 6 Continues: opinion of officers including attitude to African soldiers and drinking habits; story of loss of regimental funds and officer's cheating at cards in attempt to replace them; VD problem and medical officers introduction of inspection of African prostitutes; bilharzia infection; explosives training and accident; parades; relationship with African soldiers; send off for British NCOs from their African women. Troopship voyage to Karachi, India, 1944: visit to Aden; story of running aground. Train journey to Ranchi area, 1944: first impressions of India; story of visit to Indian village illustrating reputation of British Army; monkeys; question of location of 82nd Div. REEL 7 Aspects of period in Ranchi area, 1944: intended role of 82nd Div in Arakan; formation of Chindits; dying uniforms to conceal officer status; rumours; us eof model Dakota to practice boarding aircraft; rifle grenade training; story of explosives demonstration; story of British officers visiting Indian prostitutes; Indian massage; story of African servant washing gramophone records; role as officers' mess secretary and story of officer bullying African cook; role of African servants; nature of officers' mess including their reaction to expression of socialist views, drinking habits and gambling; relationship with Indian contractors; story of packing 2nd GCR silver before leaving Africa; stories of acting on board of courts martial. REEL 8 Continues: stories of acting on board of courts martial; train journey to Calcutta; situation. Aspects of period with 11th Field Park Coy, RWE, RWAFF in Arakan area, 1944-1945: journey to Maungdaw; officers' mess; role of unit in storing and issuing heavy engineering equipment; adaptations to former Japanese assault landing craft and stories of recreational trips; relationship with officers; routine duties; cattel pens; Burmese labourers; question of road and airfield construction. REEL 9 story of assisting Military Police in arrest of African soldier; move into isolated location; guarding African prisoner; move in LCT to Akyab Island; story of attack by Japanese aircraft; moves down Arakan coast; arrival of new commanding officer and background to returning on LIAP leave to GB; air journey back to GB. Period in Burma, 1945: rejoining unit at Rangoon; promotion to second in command of unit; demobilisation process; prior temporary staff appointment; story of getting drunk at party. REEL 10 Continues: contacts with civilians and story of black market. Voyage back to Lagos and repatriation of African troops, 1946. Period with No 2 Bomb Disposal Coy, Royal Engineers at Hurlingham Polo Ground, London, 1946-1947: relationship with commanding officer; inactive nature of unit; state of NCO morale; demobilisation, 1947. Post-war career: return to work as engineering assistant with Islington Council; importance of military service in fostering enduring belief in importance of multi-racial society.