Harling, Leslie Charles (Oral history)

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 in Leigh Green; commitment to 265 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Workshop Coy Type B; details of bounty and rifle training; radar equipment and training; process of joining regular army; posting to Blandford; problems with uniform worn; pattern of training including communications drill and firing of PIAT; details of posting with 5 Battalion at Hazebrouck Barracks; death of King George VI; background to posting to Gibraltar; details of voyage aboard HMT Empire Ferry to Gibraltar. Aspects of period as craftsman with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Gibraltar, 12/1952-12/1955: arrival in Gibraltar; Christmas 1952; reaction to posting as in vehicle electrician's workshop; work undertaken in workshops including own duties; posting to 54 Anti-Aircraft Regiment as acting quarter master sergeant; details of sergeants mess; organisation of visits to Spain including bullfights; visits to Tangiers including money made through currency exchange; coronation celebrations; visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Gibraltar; closure of Spanish border. REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of period as craftsman, NCO and officer with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in GB, 12/1955-6/1973: civilian work undertaken during leave; details of posting No 4 Maintenance Advisory Group in Portland; missile course undertaken with 5 Battalion; relationship with navy in Portland including visit to dentist; accommodation in Weymouth; pay parades; source of equipment used in Portland; story of journey to Hebrides; reception on arrival; problems created by rain; problems with spies and subsequent vetting; tour of Britain with recruiting team; role with 4 Command Workshops at York; problems with heating Sergeants Mess; decision to continue service; posting to Lulworth with Royal Armoured Corps Gunnery School; arrival at camp; details of work undertaken on guns and tanks including morale; promotion to warrant officer and gaining of commission; duties with Light Anti-Aircraft Wing of 5 Battalion; background of troops; marriage; introduction of transistor during period with Radar Research Establishment at Malvern; promotion to major and posting in Tycroes; accommodation in Benbecula and move to Oban; duties with EME Instrumentation; relationship with brigadier; background to posting in Kuala Lumpur. 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; problems with wildlife; climate; leisure activities; memories of commanding officer; earlier visits to lecture by Field Marshal Montgomery in Aldershot; return to GB. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in GB, 11/1975-11/1983: change of climate; buying of home; opinion of posting to 15 Maintenance Advisory Group at Woolwich; contact with Iranian officer at the officers school; duties with EME Branch Headquarters South West District; reason for gardening leave; details of posting with Headquarters South East District in Aldershot; posting to Fort Halstead; story of allowances abuse; return to Woolwich and retirement. Aspects of period as civilian in GB from 1983: period of unemployment; details of civilian work.