Description
Object description
British messenger with General Post Office in London, 1941-1942; gunner trained as signaller with 35th Signal Training Regt at Rhyl, GB, 1943; NCO served with Royal Artillery attached to East African Artillery in Kenya and India, 1943-1945; served with Postal Section, Royal Engineers in India, 1945-1947
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Battersea, London, GB, 1924-1940: family; father's military service in First World War and employment as railway worker; education; recreational and sporting activities. Aspects of period as messenger with General Post Office in London, 1941-1942: duties delivering telegrams; problem of German Air Force raids; service in 29th (Battersea) Bn County of London Home Guard.
REEL 2 Continues: further description of German Air Force raids; declaration of Second World War, 3/9/1939; sporting activities; Aspects of enlistment and training as gunner with Royal Artillery in GB, 11/1942-12/1942: call-up and posting to Maidstone, 11/1942; accommodation; description of basic training including driving instruction. Aspects of period of training as signaller with 35th Signal Training Regt, Royal Artillery at Rhyl, GB, 1943: posting to Sunnyvale Camp, Rhyl; reason for nickname; physical training; opinion of accommodation; use of jam tins to protect muzzles of guns; training on various field guns; prior recollection of blackout and service with 29th (Battersea) Bn County of London Home Guard; training exercises with Canadian Army; attitude to inoculations; problem of wearing spectacles.
REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period as messenger with General Post Office in London, 1941-1942: German Air Force raids on Battersea and use of Anderson Shelter; duties as messenger; fire-watching duties; opinion of General Post Office; problem of delivering telegrams during German Air Force raids. Aspects of period of training as signaller with 35th Signal Training Regt, Royal Artillery at Rhyl, GB, 1943: opinion of rations; kit inspections; description of Sunnyvale Camp; guard duty; opinion of accommodation; recreational activities and watching newsreels.
REEL 4 Continues: further memories of family life and recreational activities; problem of tinnitus; training and exercises; firing guns; attitude to artillery training; opinion of NCOs and attitude to swearing; move to Royal Artillery Regimental Depot, Woolwich and issue of tropical kit. Aspects of voyage aboard troopship from Liverpool, GB to Port Said, Egypt, 1943: sleeping arrangements; personal hygiene and sanitary facilities; reaction to theft of kit; lessons in Swahili language.
REEL 5 Continues: Recollections of period as NCO with Royal Artillery attached to East African Artillery in Kenya and India, 1943-1945: journey to Mombasa, Kenya; attachment to 303rd (East Africa) Field Regt, East African Artillery at Gil Gil, Kenya; types of guns used by regiment; opinion of African troops and problem of language; daily routine; description of rations; route marches and sings African marching songs; problem of high altitude; amusing story of python; description of conditions in camp including wildlife; amusing story of watch; communication with home.
REEL 6 Continues: availability of alcohol and tobacco; attachment to 103rd (East Africa) Anti-Tank Bty, East African Artillery, 10/1943; posting to 306th (East Africa) Field Regt, East African Artillery in camp near Lake Naivasha, Kenya, 2/1944; nature of terrain and wildlife; description of firing Ordnance QF 25 Pounder Field Gun; leave in Nairobi; description of journey through India to Dimapur, 9/1944; attitude to danger; nature of terrain; description of visit to battlefield including British graves and abandoned vehicles; opinion of officers.
REEL 7 Continues: sight of Royal Air Force Hawker Hurricane aircraft landing; opinion of General William Platt; attitude towards Italian prisoners of war; opinion of Bren and Sten Guns; use of grenades and smoke shells; comparison of field guns and anti-tank weapons; reads extracts from diary, 1944. Aspects of period as NCO with Postal Section Royal Engineers in India, 1945-1947: transfer to unit and nature of duties, 3/1945; amusing story of brandy; memories of fellow servicemen.
REEL 8 Continues: period aboard troopship, including amusing story of spying on Women's Royal Naval Service personnel, radio shows, haircut and problem of seasickness; further details on duties in Postal Service; problems with motor transport; accommodation; memories of atomic bombs being dropped on Japan, 8/1945; reaction to death of friend; opinion of Gurkha troops; memories of Christmas 25/12/1945; reasons for court martial and involvement of Airey Neave; posting to Bombay, 1946; leave in Simla and Bombay.
REEL 9 Continues: return to GB and demobilisation, 1947. Post-war life and employment: employment with General Post Office; emigration to Australia.