Description
Object description
British boy soldier, private and NCO served with Royal Army Service Corps in GB, 1939-1942; craftsman and NCO served with Royal Electrical and Mechanic Engineers in GB, 1942-1944; NCO served with 21 Beach Recovery Section Royal Electrical and Mechanic Engineers in GB and North West Europe, 1944-1945; served with Royal Electrical and Mechanic Engineers in Germany, GB, Northern Ireland and Egypt, 1945- 1970
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of period as boy soldier, craftsman and NCO with Royal Army Service Corps and Royal Electrical and Mechanic Engineers in GB, 5/1939-6/1944: family; process of joining army; reception on details of posting at Arborfield School; sports; difficulties with and opinion of training; drill; guard duties; vehicles worked with; passing out; outbreak of war; activities and events following start of war; postings and courses, 1941-1945; interview for commission; posting on anti-aircraft site including wounding; daily routine in workshops; further details of postings and courses; accommodation during various postings; joining of Royal Electrical and Mechanic Engineers; waterproofing of vehicles; details of diving course undertaken with HMS Excellent; postings after Second World War; further details of waterproofing. Aspects of operations as NCO with 21 Beach Recovery Section Royal Electrical and Mechanic Engineers in North West Europe, 1944-1945: reactions during voyage, 6/6/1944; disembarkation; scenes and duties on beaches and in Lyons-sur-Mer; area and time landed; disembarkation from LST; accommodation in dunes; morale; details of unit; wait for embarkation to Normandy; seasickness during voyage; posting in East Wittering before D-Day and journey to Southsea including visit from King George VI.
REEL 2 Continues: invasion training story of accidentally releasing a dinghy; scenes of first assault on D-Day; details of unit casualties and reactions; supply of spares; rescue of drowned vehicles; story of beer from Supermarine Spitfire; opposition to landings; contact with airmen and sailors including bartering for bread; further details of duties; memories of beachmaster; shelling received from Le Havre; German air activity; posting to Abbeville; vehicle recovery work. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Electrical and Mechanic Engineers in Germany, GB, Northern Ireland and Egypt, 1945-1970: period with Canadian workshops; relationship with civilians in Germany and France; rations; VE Day celebrations; story of commanding officer's Jeep; story of visit to Rouen; details of posting in Baronsville; relationship with civilians in Germany; details of money issued and story of Reichmarks found.
REEL 3 Continues: period as Permanent Staff Instructor with Light Aid Detachment in Northern Ireland; details of promotions to sergeant; details of postings until demobilisation; civilian work with Vauxhall Motors and process of demobilisation; decision to emigrate; favourite vehicles worked with; reflections on army service; contact with comrades; opinion of posting in Egypt; accommodation in various postings.