Boxall, Paul Eric (Oral history)

British NCO served with 1st Bn, Royal Norfolk Regt in India, 1939-1940; served with 70th Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in GB, 1941-1943; served with 9th Bn Parachute Regt in GB, 1943; attached to Defence Platoon Headquarters, 3rd Parachute Bde in GB, North West Europe and Palestine, 1943-1948; served with 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in Germany, GB, Korea and Hong Kong, 1948-1955; served 4th Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in GB, 1955-1957; served with 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regt and 1st Bn East Anglian Regt in Germany, 1957-1960; served with 4th Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in GB, 1960-1962

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Bomley, 1922-1938: social circumstances education; work in stores of car manufacturers, 1936-1938; background to enlistment into Royal Norfolk Regt and attestation, 11/1938. Recollections of period as boy recruit at RNR Depot, Britannia Barracks, Norwich, 11/1938-1/1939: train journey, reception and kitting out; barrack room; food rations; cleaning barrack room; drill; education classes; pride in regiment; PT; relationship with boys and instructors. Period preparing for arrival of 2nd Bn, RNR at Guadeloupe Barracks, Bawden Camp, 1/1939-2/1939. Recollections of voyage aboard Dorsetshire to Bombay, India, 2/1939-3/1939: preparations and embarkation leave; latrines; conditions on messdecks; seasickness; recreations. REEL 2 Continues: route march ashore at Port Said, Egypt. Recollections of period as boy bandsman with Headquarter Coy, 1st Bn, RNR at Nicholson Lines, Delhi 3/1939-10/1939: train journey from Bombay; reception; barrack room; learning clarinet, band practices and playing on route marches; bugle calls; period at hill station at Chakrata; minimal contact with Indian civilians and role of Indian servants; afternoon recreations including hockey activities; opinion of rifle instructor Lance Corporal Bert Fitt; state of equipment; outbreak of war, 3/9/1939. Period at Baird Barracks, Bangalore, 10/1939-9/1940: train journey from Delhi; cinema; church services; relationship with NCOs and officers; qualification for man service; duties with rear party, 7/1940-9/1940. REEL 3 Voyage aboard Orcades to GB, 9/1940-10/1940. Rejoining unit and disbandment of band at Weybridge, 11/1940-12/1940. Period as dining room orderly at RNR Depot, Britannia Barracks, Norwich, 12/1940-1/1941. Recollections of period with 70th <Young Soldiers> Bn, RNR in GB, 1/1941-5/1943: role of unit guarding RAF stations; German bombing of decoy airfield; posting to demonstration platoon; promotion to lance corporal and attitude to promotion; reaction to army discipline; volunteering for Parachute Regt. Recollections of training as parachutist during period with 9th Bn, Parachute Regt, 6/1943-8/1943: fitness training at Hardwick Hall, Chesterfield; parachute training at Ringwood, Manchester including practice landings, air test, parachute jump from balloon, parachute jump from aircraft, role as 'stick' commander, accidents with static lines and visit to parachute packing sheds. Recollections of period with Defence Platoon, Headquarters, 3rd Parachute Bde at Bulford Camp and RAF Down Ampney, 8/1943-6/1944: role of defence platoon; route marches; training; opinion of Sten gun, phosphorous grenades, plastic explosive 'gammon' bombs, Bren gun and PIAT; security arrangements; D Day briefing and visit from Major General Roger Gale. REEL 4 Continues: postponement of operation, 4/6/1944; embarking on Dakota, 22.00, 5/6/1944; flight; personal morale; parachute jump at 12.40. Recollections of operations in Le Mesnil sector, Normandy, France, 6/6/1944-12/6/1944: landing south of dropping zone; procedure on landing; situation; move north towards DZ; sighting patrol; reaching rendezvous at Chateau Varaville, ca 15.30, 6/6/1944; advance to Le Mesnil; attack by Spitfires; establishment of Brigade Headquarters at farm, ca 09.00; defensive positions; scattered nature of brigade and situation; view of glider landing; outposts; stand to; importance of cleanliness; initial emergency rations; compo food rations; slit trenches; sentry duty and supervisory role; story of leg wound from shell while on outpost duty; evacuation to beachhead; operation in tented hospital at Arromanches; evacuation on hospital ship to GB, 13/6/1944; Periods in hospital in Wakefield and Beverley, 6/1944-8/1944: medical treatment; visitors; story of meeting future wife. Period at Hardwick Hall, Chesterfield, 8/1944-9/1944. Period with Defence Platoon, 3rd Parachute Bde at Bulford Camp, 9/1944-12/1944: training; question of cause of scattered nature of parachute drop, 6/6/1944. REEL 5 route marches; field firing exercise; question of practice parachute jumps; lack of second parachute; emergency mobilisation 24/12/1944. Recollections of operations in Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, 12/1944-2/1945: Channel crossing, 25/12/1944; lorry journey; role during German Ardennes offensive; move towards River Maas; patrols; Sten gun fatal accident; return to GB, 2/1945. Period at Bulford Camp, 2/1945-3/1945. Recollections of operations in Germany, 3/1945-5/1945: size of air armada; daylight parachute drop from US Dakota, 24/3/1945; conduct of US jump master; landing in trees; establishing Bde HQ; daily routine; advance into Germany; question of non-fraternisation ban; requisitioned transport; crossing River Elbe; VE Day, 8/5/1945; flight back to GB. Leave, 5/1945-6/1945. Voyage with advance party to India, 7/1945-8/1945. Period in India, 8/1945-10/1945: VJ Day, 8/1945; jungle warfare course; train journey. Period in Sarafand, Palestine, 10/1945-11/1945: voyage from India; relationship with Jewish civilians; tent accommodation. Recollections of period with D Coy, 9th PR at Gaza airfield, Haifa and Galilee 11/1945-10/1947: nature of camp. REEL 6 reactions to return to unit; increased security after insurgent attack on airfield; perimeter patrols; relationship with Arab civilians; political situation and question of terrorism; role as platoon sergeant and relationship with officers; role as company quartermaster sergeant feeding troops during curfew enforcement operations in Tel Aviv; nature of sergeants' mess; drinking habits; hockey activities; swimming in sea; role as CQMS in maintaining soldiers' kit; role on promotion to company sergeant major, C Coy; question of demobilisation; move to Peninsula Barracks, Haifa; stories of road blocks, roving and curfew patrols illustrating relationship with Jewish civilians; illegal immigration of Jewish civilians by sea; hut accommodation. REEL 7 Continues: GB leave, 6/1946-7/1946; marriage, 30/6/1946; move to Galilee sector; background to application to return to RNR and time expired status; return to GB, ca 10/1947. Period at PR Depot, Aldershot, 10/1947. Period with Training Bn, PR, Aldershot, ca 11/1947-5/1948: change in recruitment policy; application to return to RNR. Period at Britannia Barracks, Norwich, 5/1948-9/1948. Recollections of period with 1st Bn, RNR at Spandau Barracks and Hubblerath, Dusseldorf, Germany, 9/1948-2/1951: reactions to posting as CSM to B Coy; opinion of various NCOs and officers including Major Cooper-Keyes; nature of barracks; guard duties and 'stick man'; training programme incorporating lessons of Second World War; move to Hubbelrath; married quarters; relationship with German civilians; question of black market; encouragement of family atmosphere in unit; question of army career and necessity of passing 1st Class Education Certificates as CSM. REEL 8 Continues: posting as CSM, A Coy; exercises. Recollections of period at Dover Castle and Crowborough, 2/1951-8/1951: opinion of National Servicemen; barrack accommodation; visit to tunnels; move to Crowborough, 6/1951; problems in securing complement eligible for service in Korea; preparations; embarkation leave and birth of daughter; personal morale. Voyage aboard Empire Orwell to Pusan, Korea, 9/1951: training; visits ashore; conditions; first impressions of Korea. Recollections of conditions of service and lifestyle during period on Hill 55, Kowang San sector, 10/1951-11/1951: movements; terrain; initial detachment of A Coy to 1st Bn, King's Own Scottish Borderers on Hill 355; layout of defensive positions; move to Finger feature; opinion of various officers including Major A G Gibbons, Major Ben Chapman, Colonel Orlebar and Captain C E Eberhardie; layout of defensive positions; cookhouse arrangements; nature of dugouts; food rations; supervision of cooking arrangements; water supply; question of washing and shaving. REEL 9 Continues: daily routine; wiring parties and barbed wire defences; sentry arrangements; role as CSM; company command post and aid post; patrols; Chinese attacks and shell fire of KOSB on Hills 217 and 317, 4/11/1951. Recollections of period in Sami Chon Valley, 11/1951-3/1952: situation; Chinese attack on wood gathering working party; question of performance of NS; effects of cold conditions and including uniforms; patrolling activities; collection sand disposal of corpses; evacuation of wounded; role of forward observation officer and artillery support; defensive fire plans; question of casualties; rest periods at Paekhak Hills and practice hill attack; Christmas celebrations and question of role of company second in command and CQMS, 25/12/1951. REL 10 Continues: cold conditions; building reserve line; night patrols; opinion of Chinese and north Korean troops; building bath house; rat problem; parcel and letter contact with GB; question of welfare problems; ENSA concert arties. Period in Paekhak Hills rest camp, 3/1952-4/1952. Recollections of period on Finger position, Hill 355 sector, Kowang San sector, 4/1952-8/1952: dugouts; building joint officers and sergeants' mess hut; question of lack of contact with Regimental Sergeant Major Gilchrist; visits to neighbouring companies; rubbish problem on taking over position; rubbish disposal and burial; latrines; patrolling activity and failed attempts to take prisoners; story of casualties amongst B Coy patrol led by CSM Wilson on entering minefield and rescue of patrol by Major Ben Chapman, 26/6/1952-27/6/1952; failure of attempts to capture and keep alive prisoners, 7/1952-8/1952; summer climate; move into reserve positions, 8/1952; story of Chinese shell fire during sergeants' mess party. REEL 11 Continues: story of Chinese shell fire during sergeants' mess party; move back to Pusan, 9/1952; memorial service, 27/9/1952. Voyage aboard Empire Orwell to Hong Kong, 9/1952. Recollections of periods at Norwegian Farm and Lowu Camps, New Territories, HK, 9/1952-7/1954: routine duties; role as holding and training unit; reaction to separation from family; married quarters at Sekong; move to Lo Wu Camp; hockey activities; question of battalion reorganisation; hill exercise; question of dismissal of RSM Gilchrist; story of Lieutenant Startin's failure to carry out internal security duties illustrating opinion of Lieutenant Colonel Turner-Cain; opinion of RSM Tim Chatting and major J K Forte; lifestyle; opinion of Major Adrian Robertson; visit to holiday camp; lack of contact with Hong Kong civilians; visits to Hong Kong island and seaside. Voyage aboard Devonshire to GB, 9/1954-10/1954: education classes; question of weapons training; TEWTS and question of lessons of Korea and improved communications. REEL 12 Period at Roman Way Barracks, Colchester, 11/1954-5/1955: opinion of Colonel Turner-Cain; routine duties and training. Recollections of period as permanent staff instructor with A Coy, 4th Bn, RNR at York Road Drill Hall, Yarmouth, 5/1955-7/1957: role as PSI; training platoon at Lodden Drill Hall; opinion of territorials; reservists; attending administration day at Britannia Barracks; weekend training exercises; summer camps; opinion of Major Bolton and CSM Emmerson; married quarters in drill hall. Recollections of period as CSM of B and HQ Coys, 1st Bn, RNR at Iserholn, Germany, 7/1957-8/1959: opinion of Major Tim Creacy and Colonel Bill Brinckly; married quarters; role on posting to CSM of HQ Coy; story of dispute with Pay Corps over cross country run; opinion of Major Peter Farrelly; exercise in Sennelagaer training area; opinion of SLR rifle; hockey activities; reactions and preparations for amalgamation with 1st Bn, Suffolk Regt to form 1st Bn, East Anglian Regt; acting as escort to colours on parade, 29/8/1959. Period as CSM, HQ Coy, 1st Bn, EAR at Iserholn and Berlin, 8/1959-2/1960: policy of mixing SR and RNR personnel within companies. REEL 13 Continues: question of effect of merger on promotion prospects; question of leaving unit and leaving army. Recollections of period as RSM of 4th Bn, RNR at Britannia Barracks, Norwich, 7/1960-11/1962: status and role as RSM; opinion of Adjutant Captain David Thorne; opinion of Colonels Dick Flower and Adrian Robertson; stories illustrating relationship with NCOs and sergeants' mess; preparations for parade on presentation of new colours by Princess Margaret, 8/7/1962; location of companies; opinion of CSM Alex Barr and Brigadier Peter Barclay; question of commission and background to decision to leave army, 11/1962. Post-service career: work as clerk with Education Department, Norfolk County Council; question of acclimatisation to civilian lifestyle; value of army experience; union activities; review of career in Education Dept, 1962-1986; membership of RNR Assoc, 1986-2003, Korean War Veterans Association and Ex-Servicemen's Association.