Interview with Leslie Charles Harling

British craftsman, NCO and officer served with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in GB, Gibraltar and Malaysia, 1947-1983

REEL 1 Aspects of period as craftsman and NCO with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in GB, 1947-1952: story of joining Territorial Army unit at Leigh Green; details of bounty and rifle training; radar equipment and training; process of joining regular British Army; posting to Blandford Camp, Blandford Forum; problems with uniform worn; pattern of training, including communications drill and firing of Projector Infantry, Anti-Tank (PIAT); move to Hazebrouck Barracks, Arborfield Garrison; death of King George VI, 6/2/1952; background to posting to Gibraltar. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Gibraltar, 12/1952-12/1955: voyage from GB to Gibraltar; arrival in Gibraltar; 12/1952; reaction to allocation to vehicle electrician's workshop; work undertaken in workshops, including own duties; posting to anti-aircraft regiment as acting quartermaster sergeant; details of sergeants' mess; organisation of visits to Spain; visits to Tangier, French Morocco, including money made through currency exchange; coronation celebrations; visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Gibraltar; closure of border with Spain. REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of period as NCO and officer with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in GB, 12/1955-6/1973: civilian work undertaken during leave; posting No 4 Maintenance Advisory Group in HMNB Portland; attending missile course; relations with Royal Navy in HMNB Portland; accommodation in Weymouth; pay parades; source of equipment used in Portland; story of journey to Hebrides and reception on arrival; problems created by rain; problems with spies and subsequent vetting; tour of GB with recruiting team; role with No 4 (Northern) Command Workshops at York; problems with heating Sergeants' Mess; decision to continue military service; posting to Royal Armoured Corps Gunnery School at Lulworth; arrival at camp; work undertaken on guns and tanks; promotion to warrant officer and obtaining commission; duties with Light Anti-Aircraft Wing; background of troops; marriage; introduction of transistor during period with Radar Research Establishment at Malvern; promotion to major and posting to Tycroes; accommodation at Benbecula and move to Oban; duties; relationship with brigadier; background to posting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period as officer with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Malaysia, 6/1973-11/1975: background of staff; accommodation; journey to work; education of children; rejection of accommodation with coconut trees overhead; problems with wildlife; climate; leisure activities; memories of commanding officer; prior recollection of attending lecture by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery in Aldershot Garrison; return to GB. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in GB, 11/1975-11/1983: change of climate; purchase of family home; opinion of posting to No 15 Maintenance Advisory Group at Woolwich; contact with Iranian officer at the officers school; duties with Headquarters, South West District; reason for gardening leave; posting with Headquarters, South East District in Aldershot Garrison; posting to Fort Halstead; story of allowances abuse; return to Woolwich and retirement. Post-service life and employment: period of unemployment; details of civilian employment.