Lewindon, John (Oral history)

British recruit and private served with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Depot in GB, 1940; private and NCO served with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, North Africa, Italy and Austria, 1940-1946; NCO served with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in Greece, 1946

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1919-1940: family including moves about country; father's gambling habit; background of parents; nature of pub business; early education; reasons selling of dairy in Hook; work of older siblings; splitting up of family and move to home in Brondesbury; education in Kilburn including religious activities. REEL 2 Continues: sports; description of home including accommodation; routine before school including matrons; evening activities and pocket money; returning late from evenings out; leisure activities; holidays at Broadstairs; friends made in home and problems keeping in contact; discipline at school; memories of headmaster Captain Nicholson; football at school and church; plans for future after time in home; work of parents and move to Berkhamstead; contact with mother while living in Brondesbury; rations in home; employment in Dickinson's stationery factory. REEL 3 Continues: factory school; work in factory post office; details of pay; extra work taken on to supplement pay; factory union; leisure activities including football teams played for; post war memories of Oliver Phillips; work in envelope stockroom and pay; signs of approaching war after 1937; brother's reasons for joining of Territorial Army; details of Territorial units in Hertfordshire; reasons for not joining Territorials; reaction to Munich Agreement. REEL 4 Continues: outbreak of war and call-up of forces; registration for service in armed forces; story of discovering war had been declared; preference of friends for RAF; process of registration at St Albans; medical; preference for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment; stories of army life from friends; wait for call-up and reactions to coming service; restrictions on life because of war; arrival of call-up papers; memories of Reg Potton; story of comrades met on journey to Bedford; instructions on travel warrant. Aspects of period as recruit training with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt Depot in GB, 1940: arrival in Bedford and walk to Kempston Barracks; reception at barracks and memories of Lance Corporal Locke; accommodation. REEL 5 Continues: issue of uniform and equipment; background of recruits; memories of Lance Corporals Locke and Smith and Sergeant Allan including inoculations; description of Kempston Barracks; drill training; clock watching; rifle issued and rifle drill; stories of treatment from Sergeant Allan during drill and bayonet training; morning procedures; rations; mess hall; organisation of drill training; cleaning of rifle; recruits unable to cope with army training; weapons training. REEL 6 Continues: occasion confined to barracks; end of working day; evening activities; details of pay and supplements to pay of some troops; use of pay and troops running out of money; route marches; knowledge at end of basic training; posting to advance training company; field training; firing course; firing of rifle; instructors at firing range; firing of bren gun; news of accommodation in civilian billets; arrival at Ashburton Road Barracks; allocation of billets; billets received; kit inspections; officers at barracks; morning wake-up call and background of civilian hosts; instructions given on arrival in billets; navigation training; routine of week; grenade training. REEL 7 Continues: belief that would not have to use grenades; anti-gas training; reasons for not training at this time with Boyes Anti-Tank Rifle; hand signals used in field craft; selection of leaders during training; reasons for rifle training taking a long time; opinion of qualities needed by good marksman; length of time at Ashburton Road; details of posting in Depot A Company; opinion of training; troops in platoon. Aspects of period as private with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt Depot in GB, 1940: return to depot; number of troops at depot; news of posting announcement; story of discovery of posting with 16th Battalion Durham Light Infantry; news of drill cadre with Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson; reactions to posting possibilities and change of regiments; senior NCOs on drill cadre; opinion of Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson; differences in drill with Durham Light Infantry; length of cadre; reactions of NCOs to drill cadre; accent of Thomasson; reactions of troops following course; memories of Thomasson; effects of Dunkirk evacuation. REEL 8 Continues: knowledge of Durham Light Infantry; train journey to Edinburgh; size and composition of draft. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1940-1942: earlier speech from Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson; arrival in camp at Moreton Hall; description of camp; sleeping arrangements; length of time before arrival of recruits; duties erecting camp and arrival of officers; activities of Major Barrington and Company Sergeant Major Warner; memories of Quartermaster Sergeant Major Newman; efficiency of operations in camp; departure of older soldiers; memories of Major Barrington; arrival of new recruits; duties in camp; parts of camp ready upon arrival of recruits; opinion of organisation at camp; duties as batman to Captains Gurling and Hague; memories of Sergeant Major Broadhead; morale in battalion; reasons for short stint as batman; opinion of time as batman; attitude of officers to batman; wait of NCOs for postings; duties of Broadhead in Headquarters Company; nicknames of different NCOs; formation of signals platoon; first contact with new recruits; duties of Sergeant Deacon; troops known to him; posting of Reg Potton. REEL 9 Continues: duties of Headquarters Company; contact with officers; memories of the commanding officer; conditions in camp; arrival of recruits in Headquarters Company; contact with recruits in Edinburgh; troops known in specialist platoons; recruitment of troops into specialist platoons; comradeship among troops; background of NCOs; story of the selection of Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson's batman Private Smith; morale of battalion; relationship with civilians; opinion of reasons for other postings in Scotland; stops in Dunfermline and Dalkeith; accommodation in Dunfermline; story of gaining posting as company clerk; opinion of help gained from civilian work; opinion of officers worked under; memories of Harry Stern. REEL 10 Continues: memories of Major Olleson and Harry Stern; Percy Glover's stint as Headquarters Company Sergeant Major; opinions about Harry Stern's subsequent appointment as Company Sergeant Major; story of argument between Major Olleson and Harry Stern on an exercise; reactions of Harry Stern to argument and its aftermath; root of argument between Olleson and Stern; opinion of reasons for punishment given; witnesses to argument; spread of battalion and organisation for move to Thetford; opinion of level trained to and strength of battalion; weather in Scotland; train journey to Thetford via Newcastle; spread of battalion; work of forward party; location of headquarters company; changes in commanding officer; location of battalion an company headquarters; different types of exercises. REEL 11 Continues: reason for missing many exercises; role of umpires; marches on exercises; vehicles in company; story of a long march in Rye; equipment and weapons carried on marches; contact with troops from other units; football in army including involvement of Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson; contact with civilians; death of Regiment Quarter Master Sergeant Styler and its aftermath; memories of Styler; accommodation and conditions in Woosted and Brandon area; activities in Norfolk; arrival of transport; opinion that schemes got easier; ammunition used on exercises; supporting units; posting in Folkestone; football in battalion; other sports played; Christmas football match. REEL 12 Continues: socialising with opponents; disappearance of rank on pitch; move to Folkestone; description of Shorncliffe Barracks; questioning of purpose of being in Folkestone; 3" mortar ranging course attended; use of live ammunition; air activity at Rye including accommodation; leisure activities; opinion of time in Folkestone; return to drilling and weekly parade; opinion of spit and polish; bugles at Folkestone; opinion of battalion's efficiency and readiness; spread of battalion in Rye; opinion organisation of headquarters company; contact with rifle companies; location of Regimental Aid Post; exercises in Rye; leisure activities; memories of Harry Stern; battalion dance band including support from Captain Ponder. REEL 13 Continues: concerts; contact with commanding officers; company commanding officers; promotion to Lance Corporal; creation of R Company; role and size of company; command of company; drafts leaving battalion; opinion that drafts were a good chance to get rid of undesirables; selection of troops for drafts; reinforcements; expectations of posting abroad; posting in Camberley; embarkation leave; accommodation; knowledge of posting abroad; inspection by King George VI; preparations to go abroad; knowledge would be posted in a rifle company; journey to Liverpool. Aspects of journey from Liverpool, GB, to Algiers, Algeria, from 12/1942-1/1943: description of ship; sleeping arrangements; arrangement on ship by company; knowledge of destination; building up of battalion before disembarkation; settling in and background of reinforcements; new quarter masters. REEL 14 Continues: older NCOs left behind and their replacements; role and make-up of orderly room; contact with orderly room; story of Tommy Baker going AWOL in Rye and his arrest for desertion including Lewindon's knowledge of Baker's whereabouts; punishment given to Tommy Baker and return to battalion; collaborative work of civilian and military police; concern at gathering of crowds during voyage down River Mersey; worry for C Company Cook Billy Essen who did not want to go abroad; friends in rifle companies; morale in battalion; more on card game on Mersey won by "Jimmy" James; Christmas celebrations; seasickness; boat drill; activities on ship. REEL 15 Continues: knowledge of destination; more on sleeping arrangements; fear of being torpedoed; contact with NCOs and officers; concerts; freedom of movement; other units on ship; attitude on journey; reactions on arrival in Algiers. Aspects of operations as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 1943: disembarkation from ship; preparation of transport for embarkation; journey to transit camp; first impressions of Algiers; opinion of civilians; activities in transit camp including gambling among troops; lectures given on Africa; attitudes towards padre; opinion of padres; work of padre with medical officer Captain Jones; move up to line and position taken by R Company behind line; role of R Company; organisation of rations; M and V stew. REEL 16 Continues: accommodation; opinion of entrenching tool; proximity to Quartermaster Bertie Newman; command of R Company and loss of contact with superiors after posting to rifle company; state of rifle companies; stuka attacks; casualties; attitude towards absence of RAF; reactions to stuka attacks; anti-aircraft defences; opinion of Italian troops faced; news from rifle companies; news of events at Sedjenane; news of posting in C Company; memories of Joe Lawson and arrival with company; promotion to Corporal; reaction of Joe Lawson to promotion; impressions of Sergeant Major Pearson; strength of battalion following Sedjenane; sources of reinforcements. REEL 17 Continues: NCOs in C Company; memories of Charles Bray and friends in D Company; reasons for not hearing as much news; adjutants in battalion; officers and platoons in C Company; memories of Arthur Mattin; activities following Sedjenane; joining of C and D Companies for an attack; methods of getting in trouble with Sergeant Major Pearson; reactions going into first action; memories of Captain Mitchell including story of Mitchell stepping on a mine during joint attack; reactions to coming under fire and reaching of target; opinion of artillery support; handover of position to Inniskilling Fusiliers and instructions to report to Lieutenant Duffy; news of posting to D Company and promotion to Lance Sergeant; reactions to promotion; opinion of training received in GB and Lieutenant Duffy's enthusiasm. REEL 18 Continues: help given to Fred Lynn by Lieutenant Duffy to gain a commission; relationship between officers and NCOs; Fred Lynn's departure to gain a commission; replacement of Fred Lynn with Sergeant Martin. Aspects of period as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in North Africa, 1943: Victory Parade in Tunis including memories of Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson; description of camp at Blida; organisation of battalion in camp; reinforcements received at Blida; concerns about reinforcements from 70th Battalion; old friends met at Blida; learning about events at Sedjenane; opinion of the readiness of the battalion before Sedjenane; lessons learned from being in action. REEL 19 Continues: helping nervous troops into action including role of platoon sergeant; opinion of how a commander might deal with troops giving self- inflicted wounds; help given to bomb happy troops and possibility of play- acting; attitude towards troops with such problems; story of wounding near River Po; treatment and evacuation to Field Ambulance; location of Field Ambulance; news of evacuation to hospital; journey to Naples; view from window; first operation; recommendation for return to GB; change of mind for second operation; return of wounded from Sedjenane; role in Blida; belief of future in Italy; changes in battalion; story of talk with Captain Duffy and request to help reinforcement NCOs. REEL 20 Continues: news of posting as Company Orderly Sergeant and instructions given including reactions to posting; reasons for being taken into Duffy's confidence; similarity between Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson and Company Sergeant Major Pearson; example of sergeants being afraid of Thomasson; role of Regiment Sergeant Major; changes made in battalion at Blida; reactions of troops to transfers; reaction to earlier transfer from Headquarters to a Rifle Company; posting to Bizerta for landing craft training; crew of landing craft; description of craft; reasons for need to practice disembarkation; equipment carried on training; description of first attempt; activities once on beach; number of troops on landing craft; actions of Hampshires in real landing; briefing before exercise; tiredness from exercises; knowledge of posting to Italy; air raids; visit from Churchill; accommodation and wait for orders; uneasiness in landing; censorship of mail and methods for sending mail home. REEL 21 Continues: briefing for landing; signs that landing would take place; knowledge of destination; news of Italian capitulation on voyage to Italy; reactions of troops to news and own thoughts about upcoming operations; splitting up of landing craft force; codes given to beaches; conditions aboard landing craft; crew and units aboard landing craft; scenes on disembarkation; help given to soldier out of depth on disembarkation; length of time taken to disembarkation. Aspects of operations as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Italy, 1943: scenes on beach; need for quick movement up beach; depth of water on disembarkation; need to get to beach for cover; casualties in water; assistance given to out of depth soldier on beach; knowledge of beach and practice at Bizerta; NCO and officer in platoon; role in platoon; opinion of success in landing; concern with defences beyond beach; aim to get off beach; achievements on first day; rations; opinions of Thompson Sub- Machine Gun carried on landing; reasons for occasional use of Schmeisser. REEL 22 Continues: preference of Thompson Sub-Machine Gun over rifle; opinion of other NCOs towards Tommy Gun; firing of German light machine gun; comparison of German light machine gun and bren gun; battalion use of German weapons; first night in Italy including guard; discussions following morning; methods for receiving orders; orders for movement towards Salerno; use of bren carriers and need to clear way for them; opposition faced from German troops within Salerno and on hills outside; description of Hospital Hill; positions taken on hill; start of German counter attack; formation of platoons; weapons in platoon; opinion of importance of mortar support; description of counter attack; resistance given to attack; NCOs in mortar platoon and their activity; proximity of German troops; German weapons faced; opinion that 17 Platoon the most vulnerable; NCOs of 17 Platoon; nature of fire; breaking up of German troops by mortar platoon; communication between Captain Duffy and mortar platoon; order to fix bayonets and advance. REEL 23 Continues: opinion that the counter attack had been defeated; awareness of events during the battle; distinguishing between German and British weapons; German use of tracer bullets; length of action on Hospital Hill; use of mortars; use of platoon runner; number of POWs taken; reasons for wanting prisoners; capture of POWs; state and reactions of POWs when captured; story of officer captured; process of and concerns when taking prisoners; attitude towards officer POW; English speakers among POWs; communication with POWs; taking of German equipment or items on Hospital Hill; transfer of German POWs to battalion headquarters; supply of rations; entrenching tool issued; order for fire; earlier position held outside Salerno; role in position; approach of German troops; orders to make counter attack; help from German tracer and problems of position; plan of attack. REEL 24 Continues: realisation he could advance; charge and fire on German patrol; withdrawal of patrol; collection of weapons left behind; presentation of weapons to Captain Duffy; Duffy's reaction to actions; opinion that had taken an undue risk; Germans killed in charge; Duffy's reaction to being presented with German weapons; interest from other troops; reasons for contacting intelligence section; time when news of Military Medal award; crossing of canal before Volturno; story of falling ill in Italy and evacuation to Bizerta. Aspects of hospitalisation in North Africa, 1943: diagnosis and treatment in Bizerta; time in Bizerta hospital and news of convalescence; convalescence period and full story of receiving news of Military Medal award; accommodation; death of King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry soldier at convalescence camp; activities in convalescent camp. REEL 25 Continues: opinion of staff; reactions to future return to front; medical following convalescence; programme in second convalescence camp; medical news of return to battalion; stay in transit camp; knowledge of parents of illness; story of lost letter; story of acquittance roll in convalescence camp and offer of job; memories of Lieutenant Cross; explanation of acquittance roll; Durham Light Infantry troops in transit camp. Aspects of operations as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Italy, 1943-1944: summary of "Taffy" James's service; rank on return to unit; length of time in transit camp; 8th Army mutineers in battalion; description of canal at Castel Volturno and River Volturno; ambush on canal. REEL 26 Continues: problems crossing canal to chase Germans; success in counter attack; casualties; reactions to ambush; German stands following loss of Salerno; decision of cross canal; attempts to cross of canal including death of Lieutenant Whitehead; German knowledge of area; main aim to shift Germans from canal; story of position raided with Corporal Sykes; memories of Corporal Sykes; signs of shellshock in Major Duffy and Corporal Sykes; help gained from illness and wounding; reactions of others to Corporal Sykes' condition; use of phrase 'bomb happy'; discussion of promotions among Blida reinforcements including memories of "Taffy" Chapman; return to battalion in rest area; accommodation; brief return to line; earlier 139 Brigade posting in Greece. REEL 27 Continues: return to and changes in D Company; Major Duffy's explanation for promotion of Sergeant Carter; survivors from early day of the battalion; news of posting to Middle East; journey to Naples and voyage to Port Said. Aspects of period as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Middle East, 1944: description of camp; orders for leave in Cairo; orders for medical inspection before leave; reason for medical inspections and delousing; leave in Cairo; relationship with civilians around Middle East; posting in Palestine and role of period in Middle East; opinion and summary of period in Middle East including discipline of Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson; calls for Palestine Police volunteers while in GB; details of Palestine Police; support given to Palestine Police in Tel Aviv and Damascus; reflections on replacement of Colonel Preston with Colonel Worrall and different approaches of battalion commanders; role of adjutant and activities in orderly room; friends in orderly room including memories of Doug Wakefield; reactions on return to Italy. REEL 28 Continues: Aspects of operations as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Italy, 1944: arrival in Italy and reserve position taken in line; state of Major Frank Duffy; departure of Frank Duffy; new commander of D Company; discovery of reasons for Duffy's departure from battalion; opinion of replacement commander and difficulties faced by replacements; rotation between front and reserve; description of forward positions; accommodation; ease of movement and superior German positions; morale and terrain; opinion of German troops faced in Italian Campaign; terrain around and advance towards Gemmano; role on arrival at Gemmano; role of D Company; route taken round Gemmano; officers in company; posting in 18 Platoon; visibility; orders for reconnaissance of forward area; refusal of wireless set; selection of runner; talk with section commanders; plan for communications between sections; keenness of George Pawley. REEL 29 Continues: questions from Corporal Goldstone; fire fight with Germans shortly after setting off; death of George Pawley; instructions given to Lance Corporal; continuation of advance; orders given for point at which to stop; plan for advance beyond stopping point; action on slope before riverbed; retreat of Germans in vehicle; checking of section on left; orders for return to battalion; casualties; message sent on ahead to company commander; relief from two other platoons; discussion of isolated German who killed George Pawley; opinion of Corporal Goldstone's actions and enthusiasm among ex-70th Battalion troops; destruction of mortar position; weapon carried; opinion of what had happened to Corporal Goldstone; reports after a patrol; retrieval and burial of bodies; description of gully in area reconnoitred; checks made on gully and discovery of Victor Shadbolt's body. REEL 30 Continues: identification of bodies and dealing with personal effects; make-up and selection of burial parties; comparison of American and British rations including burners issued for making tea; cigarette ration; smoking in positions during day and night; opinion of Corporal Goldstone's actions before capture; cleanliness and opinion of reasons for there being no washing facilities; supply of water; purification tablets for water; relief of positions and German withdrawal; lasting memories of Gemmano and Salerno; truck with blankets and accommodation; mortaring after truck's arrival; emptying of truck and cover taken in farmhouse; sound of truck being mortared; shelling of farmhouse; sound of shell approaching and wounding. Aspects of hospitalisation in Italy, 1944-1945: time at field ambulance outside Rimini and description of wounds; flight to 95th General Hospital Naples. REEL 31 Continues: concern about leg and head wounds; operations to remove shrapnel; gradual improvement and cancellation of return to GB; reactions to cancellation; hopes for return to battalion; patients on ward; rations; opinion of treatment received; opinion that war would soon be won; period of convalescence; medical board; interview with a major; story of football match at transit camp; pestering of camp officials including talk with a medical officer; news of convoy for return to battalion; journey to Austria; ride hitched with battalion transport. Aspects of period as NCO with 16th Bn Durham Light Infantry in Austria, 1945: arrival with battalion. REEL 32 Continues: memories of Frank Reynolds; survivors of Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson's drill cadre; work of advance party in Wildon; talk with Frank Reynolds about situation; arrival of and talk with Ken Cave; arrival of transport and talk with John Cauldron; help given to John Cauldron; arrival of medical staff and talk with Captain Jones; change of trousers; medical; spread of battalion around Wildon; documentation arrived with; staff at Battalion Headquarters; interview with adjutant; wait with Regimental Aid Post; information received on journey to join D Company; arrival with company and memories of Captain Footer. REEL 33 Continues: interview with Major Steed and return to 18 Platoon as Platoon Sergeant including situation in Austria; duties searching for and rounding up German troops including battalion reinforcements; attitude and morale of troops rounded up; relationship with civilians and non-fraternisation rules; reiteration of duties; end of campaign and removal of compounds; talk from Major Steed about maintaining physical fitness and news of NAAFI rations; arrival and issue of NAAFI rations; Sergeant's Mess; availability of alcohol; story of discovering news of posting in Vienna. REEL 34 Continues: reactions to posting in Vienna; importance of posting; parts of transport that stayed at Wildon; accommodation; work of Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson with guard including description of 8th Army Headquarters; members of D Company selected for ceremonial guard; preparations for guard; reactions to introduction of tie; changing of guard; details of handover parade; NCOs and officers good at assessing quality of troops; memories of Regiment Sergeant Major Thomasson in Vienna. REEL 35 Continues: commissioning of Thomasson and posting as temporary Colour Sergeant; reactions to posting and role of Colour Sergeant; return to Wildon; messes in Vienna; selection for leave; movement around Austria; journey from Graz to GB including documents given in Calais; official start of leave; luggage taken home; passage through customs; leave and explanation of demobilisation group; changes in London; attitude of civilians; return to Dover; journey to Austria; morale in battalion; opinion and memories of Regiment Sergeant Major George Gates. REEL 36 Continues: surviving NCOs from 1940; memories of Arthur Pearson; comparison of Pearson and Thomasson; start of disbandment rumours after return to Wildon from Vienna; opinion that George Gates was appointed Regiment Sergeant Major because of upcoming disbandment; news of disbandment gained from stores; talk of disbandment in rifle companies; reactions to disbandment; reasons for not wanting to become a regular; remnants of 16th Battalion posted to 1st Battalion; story of final officers versus sergeants football match; source of referees for matches; troops being demobbed; orders for posting to 1st Battalion; train journey to Taranto; time in Taranto; voyage to Salonica. Aspects of period as NCO with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in Greece, 1946: journey north. REEL 37 Continues: description of town and camp; posted to D Company; opinions and background of Regiment Sergeant Major; memories of Tommy Page; atmosphere in Sergeants Mess; reason for low contact with platoon; comparison of 1st Battalion Regiment Sergeant Major with E Thomasson; story of annoying Thomasson at Port Said; activities in battalion; accommodation; leisure activities; lack of concern for battalion; officers from 16th Battalion; artillery reinforcements; process of orders for demobilisation and leave; concerns for journey home. REEL 38 Continues: return of kit. Aspects of journey from Greece to GB, 1946: journey to Salonica and other troops being demobilised; voyage to Piraeus; boarding of larger boat; separation from Bill Ward; accommodation; voyage to Toulon; memories of Petty Officer onboard; availability of alcohol; night in Toulon; train journey to Calais; administrative activities and night in Calais; documents issued and crossing of Channel; journey from Dover to Aldershot; chance to get rid of unwanted items; issue of demobilisation clothing in Woking and opinion of suit received; return to civilian work; demobilisation leave; changes at work; ease of adjustment to civilian life; changes to people from war; discussion of brother's service during war in France and Bude. REEL 39 Continues: 16th Battalion reunion in London; membership of Old Comrades Association; visits to County Durham during and after war; attempts to keep in touch with comrades; receiving of Military Medal; story of receiving news of the victory in Europe and celebrations; use and opinion of captured German weapons.