Interview with Roger Johnson

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Description

Object description

British boy trained as bugler/drummer with Royal Marines Music School, Deal in GB, 1957-1958; marine served with No 695 Recruit Squad, Royal Marines at Royal Marines Depot, Deal and Royal Marines Depot, Lympstone in GB, 1958-1959; served with 42 Commando, Royal Marines aboard HMS Bulwark in Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Far East, 1960-1961; trained as climber with Royal Marines in GB, 1962-1963; served with Reconnaissance Troop, 45 Commando, Royal Marines in Aden, Aden Protectorate, 1963-1964; served with 40 Commando, Royal Marines at Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, 1964

Content description

REEL 1 Background in Bude and Harpenden, GB, 1941-1957: family circumstances. Recollections of period as enlistment and training as boy bugler/drummer with Royal Marines School of Music, Deal in GB, 1957-1958: enlistment, 1957; arrival at school; character of training; swimming instruction; method of instruction in playing bugle and drum; discipline and punishment; basic nature of instruction; purchases made with pay; cleaning equipment and drum; treatment of new and 'dirty' recruits; inspections of accommodation; inspection of uniform prior to shore leave; passing out parade; return to family home after passing out; physical training on horses in gym; punishment for smoking; official punishment received from officer. REEL 2 Continues: education and dental treatment; lack of rebellion against authority and punishment. Aspects of period as boy with No 695 Recruit Squad, Royal Marines at Royal Marine Depot, Deal and Royal Marine Depot, Lympstone in GB, 1958-1959: transfer to squad; origins of nickname; training at Deal; move to Lympstone for commando training; speed marches and punishment for falling out; problems of putting pack on; harsh nature of training; relations between Royal Marines and Royal Navy personnel; weapons training; bayonet training and unarmed combat; ashore in Exeter and return to camp; night training; rope training over water in full kit; further details of disciplinary punishments. REEL 3 Continues: nature of commando training; attitude to barrack life and ceremonial training at Eastney; attempt to leave Royal Marines with flat feet. Aspects of period as marine with 42 Commando, Royal Marines aboard HMS Bulwark in Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Far East, 1960-1961: drafting of unit to commando carrier; use of flight deck to keep physical fit; cleaning duties; climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Kenya; status of commando aboard HMS Bulwark; landings in British Borneo; desert training in North Africa; nature of conditions during jungle training in Federation of Malaya; jungle skills learnt; ashore in Singapore. REEL 4 Continues: incident of being drugged by girlfriend in Singapore, Federation of Malaya; effects of drinking Tiger Beer; return to GB. Aspects of period training as climber with Royal Marines in GB, 1962-1963: climbing training; reasons for climbing skill. Recollections of operations as marine with Reconnaissance Troop, 45 Commando, Royal Marines in Aden, Aden Protectorate, 1963-1964: in camp at Dhala; impressions of Aden; role of Reconnaissance Troop including 'hearts and minds' operations; use of Land Rovers; nature of operational conditions on desert reconnaissance patrols; character of fire-fights; cinema shows; mining of roads; conditions for Arab civilians; threat of birds taking food; defences of and facilities in camp at Dhala; rations and cigarettes. REEL 5 Continues: deaths of political officers; base in Aden; character of military service; use of recreational time, including visits to Aden town; contracting sandfly fever during leave in Mombasa, Kenya; threat of sharks on coast of Kenya; reasons for lack of facilities for Royal Marines; incident of being bitten by scorpion; threat of scorpions and camel spiders; story of how he became a model for action man at Lympstone, GB, 1963. Aspects of operations as marine with 40 Commando, Royal Marines in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, 1964: recall at time of crisis; need to acclimatise to climate; role disarming populace; treatment received by European civilians; situation in Tanzania; stealing Luger Pistols whilst guarding weapons dump and subsequent actions of unit. REEL 6 Continues: Aspects of period of parachute training with Royal Marines in GB, 1965: pattern of training; jumping from balloon; character of parachuting training; attitude to qualifying as para-commando. Reflections on service with Royal Marines, 1957-1968: attitude to counselling; attitude to service in Royal Marines; leaving Royal Marines, 1968; return to civilian employment; lack of problems adjusting to civilian life; attitude to having served with Royal Marines; origins of self-discipline. REEL 7 Continues: mountain warfare training in Norway; camouflage worn in Norway; night marches and equipment carried by marines in New Territories, Hong Kong; instructing American service personnel in jungle warfare.

Object Details

Category: Sound
Related period: 1990 to the present day (production), 1945-1989 (content), 1945-1989 (association)
Creator: IWM (Production company)
White, Jo (Recorder)
Johnson, Roger (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 2003-12-18
Dimensions: whole: Duration 210, Number Of Items 7
Catalogue number: 26584

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