Description
Object description
British driver-mechanic served with S Sqdn, 3rd Bn, Scots Guards in GB and North West Europe, 1941-1945
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of background in Millwall, London, 1923-1940: social background; education; interest in motor vehicles; Boy Scouts activities; work as tea boy at glass cutter firm, 1934-1935; work as apprentice mechanic and driver delivering supplies to docks, 1935-1939; question of approach of war; air raid warning following outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; minimal effects of war, 1939-1940; air raid precautions and Anderson shelter; call up procedure and rejection of application for Royal Navy. Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle and daily routine with Scots Guards Training Bn at Guards Depot, Chelsea Barracks, London, ca 2/1940-6/1940: confusion over posting to SG and reception as Englishman in Scots unit; barrack accommodation; trained soldier attached to squad; kitting out; roll call parade; food rations; relationship with instructors and nature of discipline.
REEL 2 Continues: drill; lectures in regimental history; PT and unarmed combat training; educational classes and assessment; rifle training; preparations for kit inspections; canteen; relationship with recruits; Saturday parades; passing out as guardsman; acting as informal guide to London to Scots soldiers; developing Scottish accent and his acceptance within unit; guard duties.
REEL 3 Recollections of period at Pirbright Barracks, ca 9/1940-3/1941: rifle, hand grenade and bayonet training; question of conversion to tank unit; opinion of Regimental Sergeant Major 'Paddy' Arder; relationship with NCOs and ensigns. Recollections of period with S Sqdn, 3rd Bn, Scots Guards in GB, 1941-1944: formation of unit at Grange Farm, Chigwell, ca 3/1941; camouflage training in concealment of vehicles; billets; move to Codford St Mary; learning to drive Covenanter tank; nature of Churchill tank.
REEL 4 Continues: nature of Churchill tank and crew roles; driving Churchill over obstacle course; tank suits; effects of firing gun; hull down positions; question of tank maintenance; review of mechanics course at Vauxhall Motor factory, Luton including engine, gears, hydraulics and method of changing tracks; qualification as driver/mechanic; move to Thoresby Hall; opinion of Captain William Whitelaw.
REEL 5 tank training on North Yorkshire Moors, 1944; organisation of S Sqdn; opinion of Lieutenant John Mann; tactical training; move to Gosport, 7/1944. Voyage aboard Landing Ship Tank to Arromanches, Normandy, France, ca 14/7/1944: embarkation; volunteering to help secure tank broken loose in severe storm; disembarkation at Mulberry Harbour. Recollections of operations in France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, 7/1944-5/1945: move inland to Bayeux; signs of previous fighting; situation; composition of 6th Guards Armoured Bde; night drive to Caumont sector; terrain; transfer to Churchill tank recovery vehicle and equipment carried; success of attack on Caumont, 30/7/1944; tank recovery role and reaction to corpses found inside tanks; use of tank transporters; danger of sleeping under tank.
REEL 6 Continues: sleeping arrangements; brewing tea; food rations; duties as mechanic assisting tank crews; evening laager; sentry duty; nature of bocage country and threat of German troops concealed in hedgerows; situation; passing through Falaise gap, 8/1944; hospitalisation with battle fatigue, ca 9/1944-10/1944; rejoining unit at Helmond; billets and friendship with Dutch woman; aspects of Market garden operation; advance into Germany; relationship with German civilians; role during operations; handing over tanks and reversion to infantry role as 2nd Bn, Scots Guards.
REEL 7 Period in Germany, 5/1945-6/1946: internal security role; relationship with German civilians. Demobilisation, 6/1946. Post-war career: initial period in reserve; work as lorry driver and problem with government regulations.