Description
Object description
British aircraftman trained at RAF Padgate and RAF Compton Bassett in GB, 1/1954-9/1954; served as radio operator at RAF Uetersen, Hamburg, Germany, 9/1954-12/1955
Content description
REEL 1: Background in Perth, GB, 1931-1945: family; education; memories of wartime daily life and living conditions, 1939-1945. Aspects of period as cadet with 38F Squadron Air Training Corps in Perth, GB, 1946-1951: role as drum major in corps band; flying training in De Havilland Tiger Moth; musical activities and competitions; academic qualifications; employment as quantity surveyor and upholsterer. Recollections of training with RAF at RAF Padgate and RAF Compton Bassett in GB, 1/1954-9/1954: attitude to call up for National Service; medical; problem with eyes; posting to RAF Padgate, 1/1954.
REEL 2 Continues: memories of first day; reason for joining RAF; opinion of accommodation; issued with kit and uniform; opinion of NCOs; dress code; attitude to RAF life and discipline; reveille; problem of cold; opinion of living conditions; amusing story of mess; discipline and bullying; training on assault course; relations with NCOs; description of basis training; drill; lectures; weapons training; physical training; duties in canteen; trade tests; posting to RAF Compton Bassett for training as radio operator, 3/1954; description of camp and facilities; training on Morse Code.
REEL 3 Continues: question of training for signals intelligence Y Service; amusing story of Nigerian recruit; training to send Morse Code in unconventional form; relations between regulars and National Servicemen; posted to RAF Uetersen, Hamburg, Germany, 9/1954. Recollections of period as radio operator with RAF Uetersen, Hamburg in Germany, 9/1954-12/1955: posting to station; description of journey to Hamburg; attitude to Germans; recreational activities in Hamburg; attitude to brothels and prostitutes; watching films about venereal disease; bars and nightclubs; shifts as radio operator; story of guarding NAAFI against Communist demonstrators; evacuation procedure exercises; attitude towards Soviet Union.
REEL 4 Continues: story of drunk airman; security at airfield; learning Russian language; memories of home leave; pay; question of fraternisation with German women; opinion of Germans; story of 1st Bn Cameronians attacking German civilians; sporting activities; question of homosexual activity; attitude to period of National Service; story of journey to GB; demobilisation in GB, 12/1955.
REEL 5 Continues: civilian life and employment as linguist in GB and Far East; attitude to period of National Service.