Description
Object description
British private and NCO served with 1st Bn Cheshire Regt in GB, Northern Ireland, Hong Kong, Belize and Germany, 1982-1992; NCO served with 1st Bn Cheshire Regt in Bosnia, 1993
Content description
REEL 1 Enlistment and training with Cheshire Regt in GB, 1982: reasons for enlistment in army, 1982; pattern of training and awards. Aspects of period as private with 1st Bn Cheshire Regt in Northern Ireland, 1984: initial training; initial fatigue from patrolling; attitude to serving in Northern Ireland; hearing of Dropping Well pub bombing in Ballykelly; question of importance of religion in Northern Ireland. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 1st Bn Cheshire Regt in GB, Hong Kong, Brunei and Germany, 1984-1992: border patrols in Hong Kong, 1984-1986; assault pioneer course in Brunei; changing nature of British Army's role; return to GB, 1986.
REEL 2 Continues: tour in Belize and contact with civilians; different roles of army; fear of amalgamation of Cheshire and Staffordshire Regiments and Colonel Bob Stewart's reaction; fight to save the regiment; move to Fallingbostel in Germany for conversion to armoured infantry unit, 1991-1992. Recollections of operations as NCO with A Coy, 1st Bn Cheshire Regt in Bosnia, 1992-1993: news of deployment to Bosnia; simulated exercise in Falklands Islands re-tracing steps of 3rd Bn Parachute Regt; awareness of growing conflict; training for Bosnia and issue of 'Yellow Card'; health and hygiene course; painting Warrior Armoured Personnel Carriers white and reaction to not being allowed to displace Union Jack; confusion caused by adding of extra armour.
REEL 3 Continues: changes in 'Yellow Card'; leaving letter behind for his son in case he didn't return; arrival at Split, 11/1992; attachment of troops from Royal Irish Regt; arrival in Tomaslavgrad; character of convoy over mountains; character of quarters in school in Vitez; role motivating troops; opinion of work of chefs; inadequate clothing; his private purchase of Wellington boots; hats worn and suits for commander and gunners; working two shift system; marking and deployment of Warriors; role of liaison officers; composition of convoys; problems at road blocks; character of interpreters; memories of Nick Costello; move to Klandanj; dangers of Serbian fire in 'Bomb Alley' and moving at night; improvement in conditions at Tuzla.
REEL 4 Continues: first border crossing when Serbs opened fire and night overnight in derelict house; start of war between Croats and Muslims; improvement at base at Vitez; obtaining extra Warrior 2.2 Bravo as personnel vehicle; effect of Kate Adie releasing film of accident to his vehicle; orders to recover broken down vehicle at Ahmici; discovery of massacre at Ahmici and women and children; how discipline stopped him opening fire on villa full of drunken soldiers; his reaction to crew of broken down Warrior not knowing what had occurred around them; watching sniper shoot cow; story of disobeying orders to return to save sixteen civilians he had hidden; question of the actual date of Ahmici massacre; meeting with survivor Senija Imsorovic of massacre at The Hague trial of General Blaskic.
REEL 5 Continues: increase in fighting, 4/1993-5/1993; ethnic cleansing of Zenica; discovery of execution site of Croats in house in Meleici; state of bodies buried by Kujawinski and his men; burial of bodies; bombing of mosque in Vitez; aiding rape victim; discovery of executed victims; attitude to aiding wounded soldiers; dealing with stress and question of firing back; character of six month tour; British casualties and accidents; modifications to Warrior Armoured Personnel Carrier to deal with snow and ice; method of crossing water obstacles.
REEL 6 Continues: opinion of Warrior Armoured Personnel Carrier; question of using white camouflage on vehicles; briefings; problems of identifying different ethnic armed groups; importance of contact with home; relationships amongst troops during tours; opinion of members of Royal Irish Regt attached to unit; leave situation; question of media interference; receiving training in dealing with media; attitude to media eating in army canteen; deal he did with Robert Moore of ITN to obtain video of unit's tour; attitude towards BBC film 'Warriors'; question of effect of presence of media on incidents and press manipulation; troops' attitude to VIP visits; attempt by Colonel Bob Stewart to have a demonstration of Warrior's firepower.
REEL 7 Continues: presence of mercenaries and activities of non-governmental organisations; story of how his wife started charity to collect stuff for babies; relations with Bosnian civilians; behaviour towards children; attitude to leaving Bosnia; different situation inherited on takeover by Prince of Wales Own Regt, 6/1993; problems encountered at roadblocks; visit to Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp with father on return to Germany; nightmares on return to Germany; question of psychological effects of service in Bosnia; involvement in Hague tribunal and method of collecting evidence; character of Hague tribunal system; effects of media and politicians on peace-keeping operations.
REEL 8 Continues: frustrations with limits imposed by rules of engagement and nature of Colonel Bob Stewart's leadership; attitude to involvement in peace-keeping operations; reading of two poems by Regimental Sergeant-Major Charlie Stephens of 1st Bn Cheshire Regt, 'Remember Us' written 30/9/1993 and 'Untie These Hands' written 14/4/1993.