Bray, Charles Herbert (Oral history)

British private and NCO served with 6th Bn Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt in GB, 1940; NCO served with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB and North Africa, 1940-1943; POW in Italy, 1943; POW in Stalag XVII A and Stalag VIII A in Germany, 1943-1945; NCO served with 4th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Background in Buckingham, GB, 1919-1940: family and education; work in solicitor's office; work as voluntary fireman; football team started; registration for service; reasons for volunteering for fire service; process of registering for armed services with Douggie Neame; reasons for wanting to enter Navy; date registered; call-up and medical; posting in Woodbridge. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 6th Bn Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt in GB, 1/1940-7/1940: arrival in battalion; accommodation; sleeping arrangements; issue of uniform and equipment; posting in company, platoon and section; spread of battalion; reactions to joining army; background of troops; problems with learning drill; rifle and bayonet drill including memories of Sergeant Major Hall; field craft training; rifles issued and training given; attitude of troops to army service; memories of commanding officer; story of lecture and opinion of NCOs; relationship with other troops; attitude towards service and Germans; outbreak of war; knowledge would have to serve; story of near loss of job at start of war; weapons training; summary of training; opinion of organisation; details of pay; visits into Woodbridge; story from field craft training; opinion for NCOs; standard of turnout and selection of stickman including comfort of uniforms. REEL 2 Continues: posting in Norfolk; accommodation; changes in training and personnel; move to Warkworth; training; duties watching coast; accommodation; bombing of a dredger; work of Bolton Wanderers football team; exercises; transfer to Durham Light Infantry; opinion of role of schemes; care of feet on route marches; firing on weapons range and earlier experience with air rifle; reason for not wanting to be a sniper; fixing and testing sights on rifles; opinion of Lee Enfield rifle; training with bren gun; weapons in company; reactions to promotion to Lance Corporal; confusion in memory; news of posting in Durham Light Infantry; reactions to posting; journey to Edinburgh. Aspects of period as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 7/1940-12/1942: impressions of Edinburgh; arrival with battalion; recruits given to train; accommodation; intake of recruits and deserter; haircuts given to recruits; postings around Scotland; attitudes towards unit; background of troops; problems understanding recruits; fellow NCOs from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshires; mess facilities; washing facilities. REEL 3 Continues: teaching of army structure and organisation; opinion that training better than in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment; reactions to Dunkirk; summary of moves in Scotland; posted to C Company; accommodation in Bonnyrigg; send-off from Bonnyrigg; marriage of Guthrie; carrying of rifles; leisure activities in Edinburgh; contact with civilians; promotion to Corporal; new duties as corporal; background of troops and getting used to the north east accents; contact with officers; problems among recruits; attitude of recruits to uniform; common misdemeanours and punishments; kit inspections; opinion of RAF and Winston Churchill; attitude of recruits to army life; spread of battalion in Norfolk; exercises with division; adapting to Light Infantry pace; contentment with being in a rifle company; contact with civilians; memories of Colonel Murray; story of running no friend from Buckingham; route marches on Brandon Road; teaching about defence systems at RAF Alconbury. REEL 4 Continues: gelling of unit; reputation of regiment with capturing German officer; regularity and role of schemes; equipment situation; opinion of Boyes Anti-Tank Rifle; opinion of 2" mortar including story of accident with a mortar on an exercise; accidents on exercises; plastic grenades used on exercises; description of a 36 grenade and their fuses; gas training course in Plymouth; gas training with battalion at Camber Sands; firing of bren gun; training and opinion of Thompson Sub- Machine Gun; small arms battle course at Bisley; details of courses attended; troops reactions to gas training; accommodation and routine in Folkestone; arrival of NCOs from Brancepeth; promotion to Sergeant and duties; pay; interview for commission at Winchelsea; reasons for not wanting a commission; poor NCO picked out to be an officer; memories of Folkestone; posting in Winchelsea and spread of battalion; description of Winchelsea; time as bicycle company; topsy turvy week; accommodation; stories of air activity witnessed; story of British aeroplane shot down by troops in Winchelsea. REEL 5 Continues: bombing of the cinema; reasons for not firing at planes and local anti-aircraft guns; stay with troops from 2/5th Sherwood Foresters; contact with troops from other units; activities in Sergeants Mess including memories of Sergeant Pearson; visits into Winchelsea and local pub; background of NCOs; knowledge of Dieppe raids and opinion were used in reserve capacity; changes in scale of exercises since 1941; equipment and weapons in company; Exercise Howard; opinion of reasons for not becoming motorised; fitness and skill of battalion; posting in 18 Platoon D Company; relationship with platoon officers; opinion of Headquarters NCOs; transport in battalion; relationship with Sergeant Major; opinion of Company Sergeant Major George Broadhead; opinion of Arthur Pearson; discipline and committee in Sergeants Mess. REEL 6 Continues: memories and role of the Regiment Sergeant Major; levels of contact with different soldiers; memories of Private Salisbury and Sergeant McDonough; contact with civilians including girl met at dance; leisure activities; throat microphones tested on exercises; usual method of communication on exercises; exercises with live ammunition; length of time in Winchelsea; guards in Winchelsea; attitude towards smoking on duty; discipline among NCOs; posting in Camberley waiting for embarkation; troops lost to drafts abroad; reactions to losing troops; opinion of eventual destination; journey to Liverpool; impressions of King George VI from inspection at Camberley; reactions to King's inspections. Aspects of journey from Liverpool, GB, to Algiers, Algeria, aboard the Staffordshire, 12/1942-1/1943: embarkation; knowledge of destination; description of ship; instructions given at start of journey; sleeping arrangements; passengers on ship; conditions onboard including latrines; participation in a concert during journey; length of journey; opinion of destroyer crew waving Merry Christmas. REEL 7 Continues: morale on ship; embarkation leave; presence of military police; details of kit carried on ship; dining area; seasickness; card game won by "Jimmy" James; restrictions to time on deck; leisure activities; lifeboat drill; news of destination; reactions to news; actions of "Jimmy" James on arrival in Algiers; U-boat scare and route taken; first impressions of Algiers; disembarkation. Aspects of operations as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 1/1943-3/1943: march to camp; kit carried on march; prior interest in war; scenes on later journey to front; strafing of camp; stay in Eucalyptus; story of Private Salisbury getting drunk; contact with civilians; terrain; relief of Royal West Kents and reactions upon arrival; description of positions including initial activities of Germans and position of Leicester Regiment; ease of movement during day; shelling of cookhouse; news from Free French troops; movement and realisation Germans were behind; decision to attack; plan for attack; advance and retreat; orders for second attack; details of other companies in first attack; advance including terrain; casualties from German fire; artillery barrage and German opening of fire following its cessation; breakdown of communication between artillery and their forward officer. REEL 8 Continues: wounds suffered by Private Anderson and opinion may have been caused by British artillery; opinion of the organisation of the attack including organisation of opposition faced; opinion of use of artillery; briefing before attack and knowledge of opposition; lack of officers on attack including presence of Denis Healey; events between two attacks; departure of commanding officer; wounding of Frank Duffy on second advance; own activities during advance; opinions of ill preparedness for battle; story of capture including soldier shot for not giving up rifle; example of Austrian soldier shot during advance under similar circumstances; number of troops taken prisoner. Aspects of period as POW in transit through North Africa, 1943: first impressions of German troops; German uniforms and weapons; weapon carried on attack; opinion of Thompson Sub-Machine Gun; description of German field hospital; time in collection area outside Bizerta; comparison of German and British medical facilities; organisation of aid during an advance; reactions to comrades being shot; gaps created in forward line. REEL 9 Continues: Aspects of operations as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 3/1943: awareness of film unit at Sedjenane; reactions after watching film and reading Tom Tunney's account of the battle; difficulties of finding targets during battle; contact with Free French troops during first attack; opinion of Free French troops; German POWs taken during second attack; forward and rear troops faced; rum issued before second attack and memories of "Jimmy" James. Aspects of period as POW in North Africa, 1943: march across hill after being taken POW; description of German camp; opinion of camp doctor and treatment of wounded; casualties being treated; stay in camp; flying boats seen on lake during march to coast; air activity at Sedjenane; items taken by Germans; reactions of troops at being taken prisoner. Aspects of operations as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 1/1943-3/1943: guard duties at first position occupied opposite Green Hill and Bald Hill; Stand To; monotonous nature of life; patrol activity; visits to company and battalion headquarters; position held by D Company; supply of rations; heating of rations; disappointment at weather. REEL 10 Continues: lack of preparation for lifestyle; health of battalion; duties as platoon sergeant; activity of Germans; reason for patrolling at night; make-up of different types of patrols; description of observation patrols; story of a reconnaissance patrol; story of an observation patrol; briefing before patrol; selection of troops for a patrol; helmets worn on patrol; use of password on return to line; story of treatment of POWs at battalion headquarters; position of company and battalion headquarters; shelling of battalion headquarters; reactions of troops to coming under shellfire; artillery support including communications; meeting point on railway bridge; story of patrol to meet American troops; civilians in area; visits back from line to rest; communications in battalion; role of company sergeant major; visits from company commander; mail; discipline; sniper rifle issued to platoon; opinion and firing of anti-tank rifle. REEL 11 Continues: news of war; contact with other companies; hope for action; reactions to position in line; knowledge of actions elsewhere on front; example of news filtering through. Aspects of period as POW in North Africa, 1943: separation from fellow battalion POWs; POWs from other forces and armies; conversation with an officer POW; battalion POWs captured with; description of reception area at Bizerta and handover to Italian army; opinion of Italian guards; state of Italian rifles; rations; items in possession; opinion would not be taken prisoner; voyage to Palermo. Aspects of period as POW in Italy, 1943: journey to camp; length of stay in camp; rations and sleeping arrangements; work in quarries; nature of camp; drive down mountains and train journey to camp; details of voyage to Sicily; route taken to camp; organisation of camp; leisure activities; commandant and guards; story of officer reputed to have a VC; POWs from Buckinghamshire; clothing situation; sleeping arrangements; roll calls; processing on arrival; contact of Red Cross with parents; length of time posted as missing; rations; accommodation; latrines; discipline in camp; memories of Company Sergeant Major Wells; death of a POW. REEL 12 Continues: segregation of senior NCOs; contentment with life in camp; arrival of Red Cross parcels; mentality of long term prisoners; reason for not taking up a hobby; leisure activities; football field and camp area; more on VC officer and memories of Company Sergeant Major Wells; meals; sudden arrival of Germans and disappearance of some POWs; story of sweets given during stop in Rome; rumours of war; conditions on train journey to Bavaria including items taken to Germany; details of destination; population of cattle truck; reason for not making close friends in Italy; mail; scenes on journey to Germany; guards on train; length of journey. Aspects of period as POW in Germany, 1943-1945: stay in transit camp; splitting up of POWs; position of Stalag XVII A in Kaisersteinbruch; length of stay; more on stay in transit camp; route of journey to Kaisersteinbruch; description of Stalag XVII A; meals; roll calls; visit to Russian dentist; boots worn by guards; trade with guards for radio parts and storage of radio; activities of Irish troops in hut; Red Cross parcels; books available for learning; memories of different POWs at Kaisersteinbruch; request for musicians and subsequent concert; processing at Stalag XVII A including POW number; mail including parcels; distribution of mail; camp committee. REEL 13 Continues: reading of letters from mother; censorship of mail; troops known in escape committee; discussion on escape committee; differences between camps in Italy and Germany; rations; ersatz coffee; contents of Canadian and Birmingham Red Cross parcels; distribution and sharing of Red Cross parcels; swapping of items in parcels; attitude towards parcels; POW who was often absent; distance to nearest village; Hungarian political prisoners including children; daily removal of bodies from hospital next to camp; camp guards and staff; celebrations at Christmas; heating and double glazing in huts; air activity including reactions of guards; proximity to nearest industrial areas; camp money; dartboard and darts made; memories of Bill Phillips and friend; availability of musical instruments. REEL 14 Continues: spread of news from radio; news of D-Day; air crew prisoners; issues of The Camp; visit from Red Cross; quality and supply of rations; description of blowers made to cook food; problems with making a blower; utensils issued and made in Italy; preparations for move from camp; reasons for not remembering battles in Europe and power of radio; news of move from camp; train journey to Stalag VIII A in Görlitz including apprehension of troops and scenes on journey; guards on train; location of Görlitz; weather conditions on arrival; atmosphere and description of camp; march westwards; time in Görlitz; disbelief in being taaken to Görlitz; mail; clothing situation. Aspects of period as POW in transit, 1/1945-4/1945: story of being left behind after a break; story of fainting on farm; towns passed through; latrines; weight on return home; reception form civilians; scenes on march; guards on march; route of march; rations; bombing of Dresden. REEL 15 Continues: air activity; length of march; accommodation and events on last night of march; disapperance of guards and news of Americans; appearance of British troops; knowledge of war during march; optimism among POWs; morale during march; songs on route marches in GB; journey to Weimar aerodrome; medical; flight to and arrival in Wing including transfer to hospital in Oxford; story of one patient's expanding stomach; treatment for dysentery; return of fellow POWs; opinion of organisatiuon in Weimar; reactions on return to GB; nurse he had been to school with and contact with parents; length of stay in hospital; military presence in hopsital; leave; date of liberation; VE Day; return home and changes since departure; pub run by parents; war service of friends; reasons for demotion to Lance Coporal and reactions to demotion; details of pay and backpay; thoughts at end of war; friends killed in Far East; activities on leave; changes at dances; story of German POWs at a dance. REEL 16 Continues: background to writing to Sergeant Peter Griffin from 16th Battalion; reading of letter from Sergeant Peter Griffin including news of changes in 16th Battalion; visit from Durham Light Infantry soldiers; friendship with John Lewindon; discussion with friends of events at Sedjenane; later actions of carrier platoon; opinion of Arthur Pearson's commission; opinion of Larry Gaines; memories of other troops in battalion; expectation of return to army following leave; posting to holding battalion; medical gradings. Aspects of period as NCO with 4th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, ca 10/1945-4/1946: posting in Sedgefield; details of unit; description of camp at Sedgefield; activities; work in motor transport office; story of the colonel's new driver; story of seeing Private Salisbury in a pub in Sedgefield; opinion of background of troops; VJ Day celebrations in London; thoughts about future and changes in self following army service; attitude of troops in battalion; system of demobilisation including demobilisation number; process of demobilisation in Surrey including opinion of demobilisation suit; reactions following demobilisation; pre-war career; return to civilian work. REEL 17 Continues: work with council; memories of 16th Battalion football team; outlook on world gained from army; opinion of Australian troops; correspondence from war office following war; membership of old comrades association. Aspects of period as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 7/1940- 12/1942: memories of Dave Frizzwell; background of troops in 16th Battalion; memories of Eddie Baughan; memories of Johnny Wayland; details of NCOs in battalion; memories of Private King; posting in 16 Platoon D Company; small arms course attended in Bisley including method for killing silently; instructors at Bisley; teaching of aircraft recognition; time at RAF Alconbury. REEL 18 Continues: sleeping arrangements at RAF Alconbury; contact with WAAF personnel; conditions for RAF; gas instruction given at Camber Sands; description of passing through a gas chamber; gas respirators; night week in Winchelsea; story of posting as instructor at Brancepeth including reasons for not wanting posting; discussion on drafts leaving 16th Battalion in 1942; interview for commission; memories of Matt William; reasons for not wanting a commission.