Interview with Edward Nash

British signaller served with Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 1943-1944; served with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 116th Regt (Gordon Highlanders) Royal Armoured Corps, 255th Indian Tank Bde in Burma, 1945-1946; served with Royal Corps of Signals in India, 1946-1947

REEL 1 Background in London and Evesham, GB, 1923-1943: father's employment and military service; early interest in wireless and radio; family; education; technical training; background to obtaining employment with Emergency Repair Section, British Broadcasting Corporation in Evesham, 1941; reaction to call-up for military service; brothers' war service; war news further details of employment with British Broadcasting Corporation in Bristol and Glasgow. Aspects of enlistment in Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 1943: journey to and arrival at Gravesend; interview process and selection for Royal Corps of Signals. Aspects of period as signaller with Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 1943-1944: opinion of basic training; proficiency with rifle; training to become instrument mechanic at Catterick Camp. REEL 2 Continues: details of radio set used in tanks; advantages and disadvantages of M4 Sherman Tank; relations with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers personnel; background of fellow recruits; training in use of teleprinters; high powered amplifiers; attitude towards military service; story of test undertaken at Lincoln; field craft training; posting in Morpeth; question of desire for overseas posting; reaction to brother's capture on Fall of Singapore, 15/2/1942; wireless sets used in Morpeth; preparation for embarkation in Huddersfield. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Orduna from Liverpool, GB, to India, 1944: items issued and embarkation at Liverpool, GB; character of troopship; accommodation; route taken to Aden, Aden Protectorate; conditions and rations on board; duties; washing facilities; attacks on convoy; seasickness; 21st birthday spent at Aden, Aden Protectorate, 21/11/1944. Aspects of journey from India to Burma, 12/1944: initial impressions of India; train journey across India, including rations issued and Christmas, 25/12/1944. REEL 3 Continues: voyage across Bay of Bengal; period in camp; flight to Northern Burma; journey to unit. Aspects of period as signaller with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 116th Regt (Gordon Highlanders) Royal Armoured Corps, 255th Indian Tank Bde in Burma, 1/1945-8/1945: layout of M4 Sherman Tank interior; posting to unit headquarters and role; composition of unit headquarters; relations with troopers in unit; coping with climate; Hogmanay party, 1/1/1945; background of troopers; presence of band; crossing of River Irrawaddy; capture of Mandalay; duties; headquarters' transport in headquarters; common problems with radio sets; homemade fuses; supplies; rations; sleeping arrangements; health including anti-malaria precautions; duties; problems with M4 Sherman Tank; recovery transportation of tanks; casualties; infantry support. REEL 4 Continues: church services; background and impressions of regiment members; discovery of Imperial Japanese Army activities in Burma; attitude to service in Burma; nature of advance from Meiktila to Rangoon; activities in Rangoon and liberated areas; burial of brother; contact with Allied prisoners of war; posting to India; further details of activities in Rangoon; living conditions; preparations for posting in Dutch East Indies; end of Second World War, 15/8/1945 and reaction to dropping of atomic bombs on Japan, 8/1945; posting to Meiktila; rations; nature of tank training camp and hospital; recreational activities; presence of Allied former prisoners of war in hospital. REEL 5 Continues: leave in GB. Aspects of period as signaller with Royal Corps of Signals in India, 1946-1947: character of Secunderabad; reception from civilians on arrival in Calcutta; duties; wiring of camp for electricity; need for care when out and about in Secunderabad; visits from Lord Louis Mountbatten and Field Marshal William Slim; relations with British Indian Army troops; story of contact with European civilian in Burma; contact with officers; relations with and opinion of other Allied troops; reaction to demobilisation. Post-war life and employment: settling into civilian life including employment and education; employment in Baghdad, Republic of Iraq, 1988-1990.