Interview with Donald Packham

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Accepted Non-commercial Use

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Sound: © IWM (26585)

Accepted Non-commercial Use

Permitted use for these purposes:
Personal use for non-commercial research and private study and other uses under the UK’s exceptions to copyright and those exceptions to copyright in place where the user is located.
Use on websites that are primarily information-led, research-oriented and not behind a paywall.
Use on personal social media accounts, provided the individuals are not promoting themselves commercially.
Non-Commercial educational use for the purpose of teaching and instruction, including internal training.
Downloading audio-visual for non-commercial offline listening or viewing.
Free exhibitions held in venues, which do not charge an entry fee.

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Description

Object description

British boy seaman trained at HMS Ganges, Shotley in GB, 1949-1950; served aboard HMS St James in GB coastal waters, 1950-1951; seaman trained as radar operator at HMS Harrier, Kete, GB, 1951-1952; served as bosun's mate aboard HMS Tyne in Japan during Korean War, 1953-1954; served on shore duties with Royal Navy in GB, 1954-1956; served aboard HMS St Brides Bay in Indian Ocean and Red Sea, 1956-1957

Content description

REEL 1 Background in Ealing and Birmingham, GB, 1934-1949: family; family move from Ealing to Birmingham; memories of German Air Force raids on Birmingham, 1940-1941; contact with German prisoners fo war in Birmingham area, 1945; effects of war on education; sporting and recreational activities. Aspects of enlistment and training as boy seaman at HMS Ganges, Shotley in GB, 1949-1950: background to enlistment; reception on arrival at HMS Ganges; adjusting to naval life; question of bullying; attitude to training; uniform issued. REEL 2 Continues: pattern of training; eating arrangements; attitude to writing letters; education; daily and weekly routine; shore leave; discipline and punishment. Aspects of period as boy seaman aboard HMS St James in GB coastal waters, 1950-1951: drafting to ship; damage to ship during cruise to Germany; sleeping and messing arrangements; mess inspections; washing facilities for clothing and hammock. REEL 3 Continues: importance of hygiene; initial duties; role as bosun's mate; watch system worked; training at action stations; question of reaction of crew to being in action; action station. Aspects of period as training as radar operator at HMS Harrier, Kete, GB, 1951-1952: decision to train as radar operator; pattern of training and promotion. Aspects of period as seaman aboard HMS Tyne in Japan during Korean War, 1953-1954: drafting to depot ship HMS Ranpura and transfer to HMS Tyne in Mediterranean; basing of depot ship in Sasebo, Japan, 3/1953; supply role of ship; role as bosun's mate. REEL 4 Continues: relations with Japanese civilians; visits to brothels; return to GB and pattern of draftings, 1954-1956. Aspects of period as seaman aboard HMS St Brides Bay in Indian Ocean and Red Sea, 1956-1957: ships duties in Indian Ocean; move to Red Sea during Suez Crisis, 1956; reaction to Israeli Air Force aircraft attack on ship; visit to New Zealand; court martialling for hitting petty officer in New Zealand; period of imprisonment; return to GB. REEL 5 Continues: loss of good conduct badge. Post-service life: leaving Royal Navy and adjusting to civilian life, 1959. attitude to service in Royal Navy; story of bogus chairman of British Korean Veterans Association in Ipswich, 1980s; formation of Korean Veterans Branch in Worthing.

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)
Packham, Donald (Interviewee/Speaker)
Production date: 2003-12-18
Dimensions: whole: Duration 150, Number Of Items 5
Catalogue number: 26585

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