Gormley, Albert (Oral history)

British private served with 5th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1935; gunner served with Royal Artillery Depot in GB, 1935; served with 24th Field Bde Royal Artillery in GB, 1935-1936; gunner and NCO served with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in India, Egypt, East Africa, North Africa, Syria, Cyprus, Iraq and Burma 1937-1944; served with Royal Artillery Depot in GB, 1944; served with 6th Regt Royal Horse Artillery in GB, 1944; served with 5th Regt Royal Horse Artillery in GB, North West Europe and Germany, 1944-1945; served with Leicestershire Yeomanry in Germany, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Background in Chester-le-Street and Billingham, GB, 1917- 1935: family including service of father in First World War; schools attended; area grew up in; community spirit and memories of childhood; family home including story of losing brother in it; allotments kept by father including problem with chickens; discipline; education; reason for not attending grammar school; memories of 1926 General Strike; move to Billingham following period without parents; education in Stockon-on- Tees; work gained with ICI including help from boxing. REEL 2 Continues: details of civilian work at ICI including boxing for company and pay; opinion of ICI as employer; annual holiday; leisure activities; membership of Boys' Brigade and Church Lads' Brigade; attendance at church. REEL 3 Continues: joining of Territorial Army. Aspects of period as private with 5th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1935: father's reaction to his joining army; support gained from ICI; details of friend in army; spread of battalion; uniform issued including wearing of puttees; details of drill training including rifle issued; make-up of A Company and battalion; later reunion with comrade; memories of NCOs and officers; description of Stockton Drill Hall; frequency of meetings; taking to discipline and language; route marches; description of gas masks and gas training; bayonet training; physical training; leisure activities; membership of Air Cadets including details of glider built and uniform. REEL 4 Continues: journey to Stockton Race Course for camp; accommodation; activities during camp including field craft training; reasons for joining Territorial Army; standard of turnout; accommodation during summer camp at Catterick; details of camp; encouragement to join regular army; manoeuvres; digging of trenches; opinion of camp; sleeping arrangements; details of guard duties including inspection beforehand; rations; bugle calls; night exercises; evening activities including inspection before leaving camp; accidents; rivalry between companies; cleaning and firing of rifle; grenade training. REEL 5 Continues: story of accident during grenade training; sports; support gained from ICI; details of bounty and pay; reasons for joining regular army; process of joining Royal Artillery as driver in Middlesbrough; reaction from father. Aspects of period as gunner with Royal Artillery Depot in GB, 8/1935-11/1935: journey to Woolwich; reception on arrival; accommodation; wait for formation of squad; story of hair cut; medical; uniform and kit issued; badges and buttons including contents of housewife; eating utensils issued; storage of kit; sleeping arrangements; horse play; population of barrack room including memories of bombardier. REEL 6 Continues: description of accommodation including latrines and washing facilities; cleaning of rooms; details of kit inspections including polishing of boots; replacement of missing kit; punishments if kit not up to standard; coping with discipline; daily inspections and making of bed; background of and relationship with recruits; bullying among recruits; story of cleaning a dirty recruit; army attitude to gambling; details of pay; relationship among recruits; rifle issued; reveille; morning procedures; physical training; duties in stables; breakfast. REEL 7 Continues: details of horses; treatment and grooming of horses; morning wash; movement around depot; breakfast including supply; clothing worn in stables; daily horse duties including prior knowledge of horses; change into uniform; details of whip and rifle drills including punishments for mistakes; learning to harness and saddle horses; learning to jump on and over horses; end of morning activities; lunch including punishment for complaints; physical training. REEL 8 Continues: story of clash with physical training instructor; army education; description of gun crew member's responsibilities and drill including punishments for mistakes; discipline; afternoon duties with horses; evening activities including care of uniform; lights out; physical state; contact with officers; bayonet training; gas training; medical care; church parades. REEL 9 Continues: description of harnesses issued; responsibilities as driver; inspection of harnesses; mounting and learning to ride horses; method of mounting a moving horse; controlling horse with thighs; jumping; story of injury received; method of approaching horse; details of horses ridden; commands; progression in riding lessons; controlling two horses; involvement with boxing; passing out parade; description of limber; training for pulling limber. REEL 10 Continues: training for action; speed travelled at with limber and weight pulled; responsibilities of gunners and drivers; work of farriers; punishments and their role; guard and piquet duties; selection of stickman; inspection of guard; changing of guard; details of 24 hour guard duties including NCO with guard and appearances of officers; details of 12 hour guard; regimental traditions; period before allowed out of camp; inspection before departure from camp; leisure activities; relationship with civilians; details of first leave including reception from father; story of boxing match. REEL 11 Continues: passing out parade; posting to Newcastle-upon-Castle. Aspects of period as gunner with 24th Field Bde Royal Artillery in GB, 11/1935-12/1936: journey from station to Fenham Barracks; description of barracks and accommodation; horse responsibilities; reveille; morning procedures; first duties with horses including exercise on Town Moor; breakfast including memories of Colonel Armitage; drill and weapons training; weapon carried on limber; fatigues; description and maintenance of general service wagons; details of another wagon used and story of the horse used to pull it; make-up of troop and battery; role in unit and pay; changes from time at depot. REEL 12 Continues: sports; description of Northern Command Military Tattoo at Ravensworth Castle, 1936; guns in battery; story of a bombardier stealing the colonel's horse; manoeuvres during camp at Bellerby; description of wagon lines; transport and supply of horse feed; firing of guns at Otterburn; marching through villages; memories of Colonel Armitage, Major Brown, Captain Scott-Plumer and other officers. REEL 13 Continues: calibrating of guns; details of Otterburn Camp; feeding and watering horses during a march; accommodation and manoeuvres during camp at Bellerby, 5/1936; memories of NCOs; preparations for posting to Aldershot; memories of fellow gunners; discipline; mail; story of visit to The Phoenix; contact with infantry troops at Fenham Barracks; regimental march and pride; march to Newcastle-upon-Tyne station; preparations for journey; train journey to Aldershot, 5/1936; details of Gunhill Barracks; description of large horse; exercising horses; weapons training; further memories of officers. REEL 14 Continues: description of disciplinary hearing with Major Waller; memories of Captain Scott-Plumer including officers' horses; memories of Captain “Jock” Campbell; story of recruiting march from Bournemouth to Okehampton; accommodation at Okehampton; story of Jack Willoughby's death; story of dental treatment received at Devonport; return to Aldershot; details of Aldershot Command Searchlight Tattoo including own involvement and story of controlling loosed cavalry horse; exercises with Guards at Horsham. REEL 15 Continues: story of visit to pub in Horsham; news of army mechanisation and departure of horses; description of Morris CDSWs issued including conversion from wheels to tracks and use of winch; passengers in vehicle; maintenance and storage of Morris CDSW; story of drive through Cairo; performance of Morris CDSW; driving test; tyres of Morris CDSW and limbers; opinion of Morris CDSW; role in action; new role given to farriers; change to unit's name; story of winning Aldershot Command Boxing Championship; boxing training; embarkation leave; reaction to posting abroad; make-up of draft; knowledge of destination; journey to Southampton. Aspects of journey from Southampton, GB, to Bombay, India, aboard HMT Dunera, 12/1936- 1/1937: details of ship; sleeping arrangements; scenes in dockyard. REEL 16 Continues: further details of sleeping arrangements; reveille; morning procedures and parade; activities and rations during voyage; supply of meals; gambling; duties; married families onboard; deck inspections; boat drill and opinion of safety; seasickness in Bay of Biscay; stops at Gibraltar and Port Said including contact with bumboats; voyage through Red Sea; story of death onboard; protection against sun; stop at Aden; scenes on Indian Ocean; relaxed discipline; VD lectures; story of kite hawks at Bombay harbour; start of train journey to Nowshera; conditions in carriages and stops for tea; rations; sleeping arrangements; washing facilities and latrines; contact with civilians including warnings about fruit. Aspects of period as gunner with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in India, 1/1937- 5/1939: details of unit including guns in unit. REEL 17 Continues: rations during train journey to Nowshera including organisation of journey along line; description of accommodation in Nowshera; latrines; sleeping arrangements including precautions against mosquitoes; storage of kit; details of civilian workers in camp including story of first morning and details of pay; treatment of civilian workers; examples of theft by civilians; piquet duties; religious background of area; journey to Waziristan; population of camp; description of Garry Ho camp; snipers in area; defences on hilltops; communications; description of camp. REEL 18 Continues: series of camps in area; defence of camp; role of artillery; civilian workers in camp; memories of Gunner Frankie Dolbis; make-up of unit; memories of Major “Black Jack” Wagstaffe; opinion and memories of officers and other troops; details of patrols in area; story of missing Argyll and Sutherland troops; dealing with dead; sniper attacks on camp; description and use of Morris trucks; mail; details of road-building work in area; action en route to Jalur Camp, 5/1937. REEL 19 Continues: attempt to reach Damdill Camp and return to Jalur; description of attack faced while at Jalur Camp including weapons used against opposition; reactions during and after battle; arrival of Green Howards and return to Garry Ho camp; washing facilities in outpost sangars; story of Green Howard shot by sniper; opinion and memories of Ghurkha troops; relationship with other units; posting to Damdil Camp, 7/1937; details of action faced en route; memories of Ghurkha troops; description of camp; driving on steep terrain; story of “Paddy” Hunter firing at tree including firing of Vickers Bertha gun; medical staff; relief from 5th Regiment and return to Nowshera; problems with climate; working hours; guard duties during day; sports; bartering with civilians; death of soldier and military funeral; married quarters including guard. REEL 20 Continues: dealing with lack of women; VD among troops; homosexual troops; sending of troops to Murray Hills; sports; accommodation; memories of padre at Nowshera; Thursdays in India; story of snake hunt; camp cinema; opinion of officers; memories of Gunner “Ginger” Barker; posting to Hyderabad in Sindh; terrain; accommodation; arrival of Morris CDSWs; description of transporters built by fitters; treatment of scratches; details of training; description of civil control duties; length of posting in Hyderabad; public hangings; story of court martial of soldier. REEL 21 Continues: boxing tournament; details of sports pitches and jankers; period as groom to an officer; story of rainstorm during manoeuvres; details of training; replacement of older soldiers; memories of “Bugsy” Davis; story of guard mounting; background of troops; mobilisation orders, 5/1939; posting in 4th Indian Division. Aspects of voyage from Karachi, India, to Port Tewfik, Egypt, 5/1939-6/1939: details of ship and embarkation; breakdown of boiler; seasickness among crew; period as stoker including pay; conditions onboard; knowledge of destination; length of journey; leisure activities; arrival in Egypt. Aspects of period as gunner and NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in Egypt, 6/1939-10/1940: disembarkation; first impressions of Egypt; journey to camp in Cairo area; visits to Cairo; description of camp including accommodation and canteen; sleeping arrangements; latrines. REEL 22 Continues: Cameron Highlander presence; physical training at the Pyramids; details of Indian troops in Division and regiment; artillery and infantry units in division including own role; changes among officers; sports including against Italian civilians; leisure activities; opinion of Egyptians; brothel area and VD among troops; promotion to lance bombardier; duties as driving instructor; opinion of Morris CDSW; learning to drive in desert including period teaching this to Australians; navigation; story of winching carriers from sand; camouflage on vehicle; story of football match with Royal Engineers; relationship with Australian troops; story of “Paddy” Campbell's indiscretion at Christmas 1939; memories of 2nd Lieutenant Joe Easton; posting to and role in Alexandria; infantry presence; location of positions; watching Guards drill; visits to Alexandria. REEL 23 Continues: air activity following Italy's entrance into war; story of gunner's attempt to shoot a plane down; thoughts about possible action; visits to HMS Medway; boxing; story of unexploded bomb; air raids; movement toward division after Italian invasion; withdrawal to Cairo and journey on Nile to Sudan; arrival at railhead; theft of brandy and subsequent events; journey into Khartoum; formation and make-up of Gazelle Force. Aspects of operations as NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in East Africa, 10/1940-1941: journey to frontier with Eritrea and split of regiment; details of action en route to and capture of Gallabat; air raids; story of RAF plane shot down and attempt to rescue pilot; story of smoke shell accidentally fired. REEL 24 Continues: scenes following battle; digging in and use of 18lb gun; visit from Anthony Eden and complaint made about mail; wounding and hospitalisation in Khartoum; story of fellow patient; problems with gaining pay at Khartoum transit camp; journey to unit in Eritrea; defence against opposition cavalry charge; discussion of troops reluctant to see action; scenes following action including looting; opinion of Italian troops and equipment; distance behind infantry; terrain fought in; story of poor treatment of Italian wounded and dead; description of battle at Conical Hill including firing at close targets. REEL 25 Continues: withdrawal from Conical Hill and casualties; story of column formed by General Heath and journey to outflank Italians; success of column at Barentu; withdrawal of Italians; further details of journey including terrain; POWs taken; Italian troops in mountains; casualties; firing of guns including work of observation officer and communications; problems with thorn bushes; performance of Morris CDSWs in terrain; start of rest period at Barentu; problems from ants; discovery of Italian pay chest and uses of notes; story of Italian anti-personnel mine and injuries caused; issue of beer ration and theft of rum; change of uniform; journey into mountains including climate; digging of positions; details of Italian positions and activities. REEL 26 Continues: terrain and reactions to situation; details of actions against Italian positions including own role; method of eventual success; shelling of artillery positions including stories of casualties and near misses; firing of guns; details of journey when taking rations to observation officer including ease of movement in positions and temporary loss of whiskey; breakthrough and advance; problems with rats; split of regiment; victory parade in Asmara including talk with General Heath; posting with infantry to Ethiopia; Italian positions faced. REEL 27 Continues: action against Italian position; reasons for Italian surrender. Aspects of hospitalisation in Sudan and Egypt, 1941: contraction of enteric fever; details of hospitalisation and treatment; journey to Egypt; arrival in Cairo hospital and problems with legs; duties in artillery depot; story of gaining return to regiment. Aspects of operations as NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in North Africa, 1941: period at base camp; situation on Libyan frontier; description of artillery barrage; details of Chevrolet trucks issued; details of 25lb gun and ammunition; problems from sandstorm; details of action at Sidi Omar; process of sighting gun; use of gun against tanks; proximity to German troops; details of supporting infantry. REEL 28 Continues: sleeping arrangements; problems from khamsin; conditions during night and day; terrain; method of getting lorries out of sand; use of slit trenches; rations including American and German rations; method of making tea; water rations; latrines; problems with flies and gerbils; fauna after rain; posting to 7th Australian Division. Aspects of operations as NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in Syria, 1941: journey to and situation in Syria; capture of Homs; leisure activities after capture; opposition faced; journey to Palmyra including French Foreign Legion deserters; description of Palmyra and peaceful capture of fort; preparations for attack on Vichy French hilltop artillery position at Baalbek; mistake made by Australian infantry. REEL 29 Continues: opinion of Australian troops; summary of actions in Syria; attack on Vichy French hilltop artillery position; work of Palestine Police Force within division; story of “Geordie” McGuinness; coping with shelling and air raids; withdrawal and new position set up; story of night guarding against tanks; return to positions and second attack on Vichy French hilltop artillery position; rate of fire from 25lb guns; supply of ammunition; opinion of Vichy French troops; story of Curtiss P-40 Kitty Hawk; details of observation post officer and work of Australian infantry; ranging of guns; creeping barrages; journey round position with Australian infantry and success; Vichy French withdrawal into Baalbek; advance toward Beirut; action in and surrender of Beirut; details of barracks occupied; treatment of Allied POWs; leisure activities; return to North Africa. REEL 30 Continues: Aspects of operations as NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in North Africa, 1941: arrival and activities at El Masa Artillery Base Depot; reunion with ex-ICI boxer and subsequent boxing match; return to 4th Indian Division in Western Desert; story of storm in desert; push towards Tobruk during Operation Crusader; journey to Cyprus as advance party. Aspects of period as NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in Cyprus, 11/1941- 1/1942: train journey from Famagusta to Nicosia; role in Cyprus with 5th Indian Division and takeover from 50th Division; posting at Kokkini Trimithia; terrain; story of meal made for the remainder of regiment on their arrival; defensive positions created; expectation of invasion; relationship with civilians; movement around island; story of showing troops to peel potatoes; leisure activities; rations; story of fight with civilians; repercussions of Bombardier Platt's being jailed. REEL 31 Continues: length of period in Cyprus; story of visit to medical officer and dentist in Larnaca; routine in Cyprus; relationship with non-Cypriot civilians; return to Western Desert. Aspects of operations as NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in North Africa, 1/1942-1943: details of action under General Cunningham; position held in box at The Cauldron; argument with officer; opposition faced and cover taken including casualties; state of unit; care of wounded; final shells fired; abandonment of guns; story of withdrawal from position; activities of Highland Light Infantry; drive to Knightsbridge avoiding tank fire including casualties collected; pass through Guards at Knightsbridge; journey to Tobruk; dispersal of 5th Indian Division; arrival and activities in Tobruk; request for volunteers to join defences; joining of Cameron Highlanders anti-tank gun unit; digging of position; start of shelling; troops in Tobruk; problems with minefield and Axis breakthrough; breakout from Tobruk through German lines. REEL 32 Continues: stop at canteen depot; items taken from depot; journey to and events at Sollum; fighting withdrawal to Alamein Line; positions dug on arrival; reactions to situation; story of losing proficiency pay in Cyprus; use of anti-tank gun; visit from Captain Lucas and return to reformed 66th Battery 4th Field Regiment; fighting during First Battle of El Alamein including details of anti-tank gun manned; details of defences; opinion of reasons for success; air activity; lack of confidence in leaders; problems with Canadian ammunition at Ruweisat Ridge; medical duties and equipment carried; casualties treated including coping with scenes on battlefield. REEL 33 Continues: casualties in unit; interview with Colonel Daniels; promotion to sergeant and new duties; background and discipline of gun crew; action during static period in line including description of sniping runs and night patrols; story of walk into and escape from minefield; further details of minefield and units on Alamein Line; terrain; details of opposition faced; description of gun positions and counter barrage work; posting to and details of position at Alam El Halfa; scenes of Axis advance. REEL 34 Continues: make-up of Allied forces; description of battle including own role; morale; launching of verey lights and subsequent Royal Air Force air raid; continuation of Axis advances and opposition met; own activities including details and use of 25lb guns; fire received and plan of battle; reactions to success including scenes on battlefield; arrival of General Montgomery; opinion of General Auchinleck; posting to southern sector with 7th Armoured Division; description of activities with Jock Columns; changes made by General Montgomery including impressions of General Wavell and details of dummy tanks; role in three day artillery barrage; atmosphere before start; effect on ears; sleeping arrangements; waste shell cases; problems during advance through minefields and withdrawal. REEL 35 Continues: story of Gunner Tebbitt's withdrawal for medical treatment; move to north of line; start of advance; problems from dug-in German tanks and method of destroying them; breakout and wait for petrol supplies; involvement in chase across North Africa; problems with water supply and story of water hoarded by officer; problems with supplies; route taken across Libya; action at El Agheila including story of German gun left behind; sighting of Rommel and cessation of advance; scenes at Marble Arch; Victory Parade in Tripoli; period outside Tripoli; details of journey to Nile Delta including problems with vehicles and accident at Sollum; journey to Iraq. Aspects of period as NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in Iraq, 1943: posting outside Baghdad; problems with theft; boxing tournament; visit to Babylon; return to India. REEL 36 Continues: Aspects of period as NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in India, 1943-1944: arrival in Bombay; visit with brothers; weather conditions during journey across India and posting in Chas; details of jungle survival course; activities during visit to Ranchi; voyage to Chittagong. Aspects of operations as NCO with 4th Field Regt Royal Artillery in Burma, 1944: positions occupied in Arakan and terrain; Japanese advance; problems with using guns; previous jungle experience; assistance given to 7th Indian Division in Admin Box; Japanese treatment of POWs and resulting attitude to Japanese; contact with Japanese troops and air drops; reaction to situation; close combat with Japanese; details of tunnels between Maungdaw and Buthidaung; description of artillery barrages involved in; Japanese tunnels at Three Pimples; opinion of Japanese troops; reasons for success; flight by Douglas Dakota to Imphal. REEL 37 Continues: description of Japanese attack faced on arrival; scenes of battle from artillery position; further details of flight to Imphal; terrain and weather; story of talk with Lord Mountbatten in Arakan; description of Japanese attacks; differences from campaign in Arakan; firing of guns; length of battle; routine; opinion of ammunition; involvement in battles at Nungshigum and The Hump in Imphal area including opinion that needed 4.5” Howitzers to take The Hump; vehicles in unit; casualties; outlook on situation; story of near miss; survivors from start of war; opinion of officers including story of charge for not following orders; Forgotten Army status; removal of civilians from Imphal. REEL 38 Continues: reason for being sent to Kohima and end of involvement at Imphal; details of advance toward Kohima, including terrain; news of return home on leave; final night in line; conditions underfoot; rations; sleeping arrangements; dealing with breakdowns; weather; malaria precautions; need to keep alert; cooperation with infantry; contact with Naga civilians. Aspects of journey from Imphal, India, to Liverpool, GB, 1944: meal in Imphal; flight to Calcutta; period in transit camp; train journey to Deolali; description of Deolali; story of arresting drunk soldier; boarding of ship at Bombay; duties during voyage and accommodation; rations; voyage through Mediterranean; stop in Algiers. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Artillery Depot in GB, 1944: voyage to and arrival in Liverpool; journey to and medical in Woolwich. REEL 39 Continues: story of train journey to Billingham; reception on arrival home; activities during leave including health and death of father; details of period building rifle range at Bexleyheath; joining of Royal Horse Artillery at Belford Hall. Aspects of period as NCO with 6th Regt Royal Horse Artillery in GB, 1944: shoulder patch; voyage to Shoreham-by-Sea; posting of brother to unit; problems settling into regimental life; details of self-propelled gunnery training in Rhyl including story of exercise in Cromwell tanks; description of 25lb self-propelled gun; waterproofing of tanks including tests; driving on steep slopes; summary of course including tests; offer of instructor post. REEL 40 Continues: posting to Wickham Market; leisure activities; manoeuvres; attempt to join 4th Royal Horse Artillery and posting to 5th. Aspects of period as NCO with 5th Regt Royal Horse Artillery in GB, 1944: guns in unit; details of Royal Horse Artillery; period sealed in camp on River Thames including role in unit and briefings; background of unit; settling into unit; story of firing at tree; reactions to situation and leisure activities; voyage to Normandy, 7/6/1944. Aspects of operations as NCO with 5th Regt Horse Artillery in North West Europe, 6/1944-5/1945: landing at Gold Beach; movement up beach; role in Normandy; terrain and role in Battery Headquarters; story of German grenade attack; difficulties in advance and involvement in patrols. REEL 41 Continues: movement to Tilly-sur-Seulles; description of resistance met at Livry; opinion of reconnaissance units; journey into Bocage country; problems with terrain; importance of observation posts; posting to gun; movement toward Tracy-Bocage and story of German attack; position held at Tracy-Bocage; attack on Villers-Bocage; information gained from POWs; casualties; storage of ammunition; description of withdrawal; formation of box; American support; details of German attacks during Battle of the Brigade Box including anti-tank fire; withdrawal to Briquissard and positions taken; question of rest. REEL 42 Continues: morale including turnover of troops; memories of officers and gunners; treatment of wounded; details of involvement in Operation Goodwood including scenes on battlefield; advance and activities following breakthrough; opinion of Sherman tanks; description of Allied air raids including German defensive positions; joining of Canadian Division; contact with Canadian troops; posting in and details of Mont Pincon area. REEL 43 Continues: work of 8th Hussars; organisation of box barrage; support given to infantry; capture of Mont Pincon and stay with 43rd Division; question of rest; rations; relationship with civilians; scenes of destruction; German transport seen in Falaise area; reactions to scenes of dead bodies; German rearguard actions faced during advance to Ghent; reasons for wait outside and quick pass through Ghent; details of advance beyond Ghent; problems and methods of crossing rivers; air activity at start of Operation Market Garden; posting in Eindhoven. REEL 44 Continues: sleeping arrangements; story of action on a canal; action against German army cadets at Ibbenbüren; winter weather conditions; actions of new division commander; leave in Brussels and Ghent; crossing of Rhine at Wesel; state of towns and advance beyond Rhine; opposition faced in Bremen including preparedness for action and looting; description of drive past concentration camp; arrival in POW Camp at Bad Fallingbostel; burial of dead civilians. REEL 45 Continues: advance to Helmstedt; opposition met; air support; capture of Helmstedt and Tostedt; need for care in advance; details of action at Darnoff; advance and knowledge of position; arrival on outskirts of Hamburg; supply of ammunition; opposition faced in Hamburg; surrender of city including contact with emissaries; journey through and state of Hamburg. Aspects of period as NCO with 5th Regt Royal Horse Artillery in Germany, 5/1945-10/1945: journey to and story of arrival in Itzehoe; relationship with civilians including story of nurse; posting to Hademarschen; treatment of civilians; weather conditions; promotion to Sergeant Major. REEL 46 Continues: non-fraternisation rules and troops punished for breaking rule; results of house searches; relationship with and conditions for civilians; story of visit from naval officers; accommodation; activities of unit and displaced persons in Hademarschen area; story of rabbit hunt and looted pistol; movement of German troops; posting to Berlin; story of composite brigade's journey to Berlin; accommodation; preparations for Victory Parade; guard duties at accommodation of Winston Churchill; relationship with civilian workers in barracks; story of looted items found in skittle hall. REEL 47 Continues: Victory Parade; sports; story of dead children found; relationship with Russian troops; leisure activities; leave in GB; football match played on return; posting at Olympic Stadium in Berlin; return to regimental life; leisure activities; loss of troops to demobilisation; sports; background to decision to leave army. Aspects of period as NCO with Leicestershire Yeomanry in Germany, 10/1945-3/1946: reception on arrival; story of suicide; story of New Year's Eve; medical and demobilisation in York; length of service; civilian work; best time in army.