Mavin, Allan Anthony (Oral history)

British recruit trained at Durham Light Infantry Depot in GB, 1952; private served with Durham Light Infantry in GB, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea, 1952-1953; private and NCO served with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in Korea, Egypt and GB, 1953-1954; served with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, from 1954

REEL 1 Background in Bearpark, GB, 1931-1952: family; summary of education; air raids during Second World War; more on family; area grew up in and subsequent changes; leisure activities; annual trip to beach; wartime visits to Bridlington; outbreak of war; rationing and blackouts; activities of local farmers; father's work as Special Constable; discipline; important people in community and story of preparation of father's corpse; life in Bearpark; family home; early education; reactions of father when starting work. REEL 2 Continues: secondary education in Sunderland including events affecting him during Second World War; time in cub scouts; coke dumped in fields and work with it; work as apprentice with repairers of motor engines including deferral of National Service; details of pay; night classes and continuation of rationing after war; working week; power cuts after war; details of work including trade union membership; leisure activities. REEL 3 Continues: reactions to conscription into army; process of joining army; medical; reactions of parents to his joining army; own reactions to his joining army and news of posting in Korea; choices of unit; length of service and opinion of army life; details of pay; intelligence test. Aspects of period as recruit with Durham Light Infantry Depot in GB, 6/1952-11/1952: arrival at Brancepeth Camp and background of recruits; reception at Brancepeth; issue of paybook; uniform issued; method of polishing boots; accommodation and cleaning of equipment; keeping barracks clean; discipline; opinion of training NCOs and discipline; recruit platoons and their destinations; rivalry between platoon NCOs; types of recruit at Brancepeth Castle and selection of friends; background of NCOs; description of Brancepeth Camp; going AWOL; NAAFI; rations; supply of meals; details of jankers; reasons for getting put on jankers. REEL 4 Continues: reactions to army life; regimental and military police; NCO in barrack room; reactions of troops to discipline; coping with lack of privacy; cleanliness; piquets; evening activities; learning of drills and Light Infantry pace; route marches and physical training; passing and failing of tests; fitness levels of recruits; route of longest march; breaks on route marches; formation of marches; rations on route marches; dealing with stragglers; medical presence; opinion of physical training; role of training; educational tests. REEL 5 Continues: issue of rifle and alterations made to sight; firing on Whitburn ranges and opinion of .303 Lee Enfield; cleaning of rifle; number of rounds carried for rifle and bren gun; dismantling and assembly of bren gun; shooting proficiency tests for extra pay; fitness tests; bayonet training; assault courses; opinion and stripping of bren guns; details of firing the bren gun including verbal tests; description of gas masks; selection of sportsmen; explanation of basic training; opinion of relevance of training; attitude of recruits towards basic training; final tests; passing out parade; leave; journey to York and arrival at Strensall Barracks; role of Strensall Barracks; reception at Strensall; earlier parade in Durham; continuation of training; description of camp and barrack room. REEL 6 Continues: reason for posting; accommodation; facilities; cleaning of barrack room and inspections; corporal in hut; background of permanent staff; NAAFI; presence of transport; canteen and rations; kit inspections and issue of jungle green uniform; company orders; loss of kit; discipline; problems with discipline; crimes and their punishment; organisation and details of piquets; jankers; coal detail; evening and weekend activities; fighting among troops and with other units; visits to York; contact with women; VD films and lectures; entertainments in camp; cleaning of kit and boots; gambling among troops; mail and travel warrants; opinion and description of sten gun. REEL 7 Continues: sten gun training at Fylingdales; use of sten in house clearance; learning to use camouflage; map training; exercises and route marches; accommodation outside Whitby for intensive training; daily routine at Whitby including rations; latrines; work on farm; story of farmer at Otterburn; sleeping arrangements out of barracks; role of night exercises; formation of movement; safety consciousness of army; training with tracer; training with live ammunition; casualty allowance at battle school in Japan; rotation of troops through Whitby; march away from camp; evening activities in Whitby; news of posting in Whitby; relevance of training to Korea; firing of 2" mortar; transport of mortar and ammunition; training with grenades; transport of bren gun and ammunition; use of mortars in Korea; ease of carrying mortar; firing of 3.5" rocket launcher; training for PIAT; return to Strensall; summary of training. REEL 8 Continues: physical training; culmination of training; changes on reaching battalion; destinations of troops at Strensall; training with grenades; analysis of units at Brancepeth and Strensall; commanders of units; leave after Strensall; holding company placed in after leave; duties while waiting for draft; journey to Southampton; teaching of regiment history; resentment at being in army; later pride in regiment; opinions of NCOs; relationship with other units at Strensall and discipline; reactions of parents and girlfriend to posting; attitude of civilians towards Korean War; knowledge of Korean War; exemption of other men from village; hopes of parents for position in rear; own reactions to posting; clamour of officers for posting in Korea; length of infantry's stay in line. REEL 9 Continues: finals weeks at Strensall; issue of new webbing; journey to Southampton; time on docks; impressions of ship; reactions on embarkation; boarding of ship. Aspects of journey from Southampton, GB, to Hong Kong aboard the Asturias, 11/1952-12/1952: history of ship; sleeping arrangements; storage of kit bags and tropical kit; clearing of accommodation during day; meals rota; police guarding of embarkation; settling in to boat; embarkation from Southampton; reveille; seasickness in Bay of Biscay; cleaning up of mess decks afterwards; supply of meals and rations; NAAFI; duties with cookhouse; fire watching; lifeboat drill; guard duties; ship hospital; cleaning of decks; out of bounds areas; units on ship; shore leaves; leisure activities; route taken through Mediterranean; sun bathing rules and army attitude towards sunburn; reasons for stop at Port Said; description of and journey through Suez Canal; contact with troops in Canal Zone; shore leave in Aden; water on ship after Aden; stop in Colombo; time in Singapore and currency onshore leave; impressions of Aden; out of bounds areas; precious stones available in Colombo; arrival in Hong Kong. REEL 10 Continues: Aspects of period as private with Durham Light Infantry in Hong Kong, 12/1952-2/1953: disembarkation; journey from Kowloon to Fanling; scenes on journey to camp and cap badge hill; arrival in Royal Ulster Camp; reason for posting; camp padre; description of camp and merge with Royal Ulsters; reception in camp; latrines; drill; adaptations made to bayonet by Royal Ulsters; selection of guard stickman; cross country runs; reveille; breakfast; tablets taken daily; uniform worn; football and assault course; platoon exercises; border patrol duties including description of villages in border area; story of attempting to stop a smuggler; border with China; accommodation on border patrol; attack exercises with Royal Ulsters and RAF including opinion of posting in Hong Kong; NAAFI; visits to Fanling; changes in Korean War since Royal Ulsters had left; relationship with Royal Ulster troops; information given about war by Royal Ulsters. REEL 11 Continues: rations; leisure activities in Hong Kong; amphibious training in Kowloon; other units in Hong Kong; description of Fanling; situation in China; relationship with civilians; Christmas 1952; mail and news from home; reiteration of opinion of posting in Hong Kong; summary of training received in Hong Kong; falling plates contest and comparison of equipment and rifles with Australian troops; opinion of Australian troops; journey to Kure aboard the Empire Fowey. Aspects of period as private with Durham Light Infantry in Japan, 2/1953- 3/1953: arrival at camp at Kure; journey to Haramura Battle School including stop in Hiroshima; description of camp; accommodation; permanent staff; baths; impressions of camp; Australians at Haramura; morning procedures; exercises and demonstrations; winter clothing issued. REEL 12 Continues: climate; heating and accommodation; tablets and rations; organisation and role of camp; changes in training after leaving GB; practice with bren gun; training with live ammunition; training for patrols including explanations of different types of patrol; routine through day and night; training with trenches; firing on ranges; relevance of training; background of instructors; opinion of training; march to Kure; length of time at Haramura; wait for draft to Korea; contact with civilians; houses of civilians; journey to Pusan. Aspects of period in transit through Korea, ca 3/1953: reception in Pusan; details of train journey to front including K rations; impressions of countryside and signs of fighting; state of roads and railway; reactions of troops to situation; activities of 1st Battalion; Commonwealth Division's spell at Camp Casey. REEL 13 Continues: other troops on train; conditions on train journey; scenes on journey; rumours of North Koreans in countryside; orders to disembark from train; night in Seoul camp; guard duties near Sowon including accommodation; knowledge of what was being guarded; description of area posted in; activities of American troops; contact with American military police; guard duties in Seoul; stories from camp in Seoul; discipline including log kept; journey to joining battalion. Aspects of operations as private and NCO with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in Korea, ca 3/1953-9/1953: two halves of battalion's campaign; joining of battalion at Camp Casey; impressions of Camp Casey; posting in D Company 10 Platoon; reception from battalion; flow of National Servicemen through battalion; troops returning to GB; strength of battalion. REEL 14 Continues: contact with civilians in Sowon; beer ration; VD lectures and army attitude to it; VD precautions; army attitude towards sunburn; carrying of weapons; organisation of company; split of battalion across front and isolation of platoon; organisation of platoon; splitting up of draft he arrived with; memories of Colonel Jeffreys; time in Camp Casey; posting on Point 355; knowledge of situation; organisation of a move into a new position; relief of American troops; differences in American and British in line; welcome from Chinese troops; reactions to being in line; washing of clothes; terrain in area and importance of Point 355; spread of battalion and units in reserve; description of trench system; opposing troops; view of a South Korean attack; air activity; use of bren guns. REEL 15 Continues: description of trenches including building of sandbags defences; shelters; heaters; hootchies and sleeping arrangements; problems with rats and cleanliness of American troops; lighting in hootchies; washing facilities; area covered by platoon; activities in line including repairing barbed wire; rations; supply and heating of meals; Korean porters; paraffin blow lamps; latrines and hygiene; activities during day; duties; Stand To; night activities including cleaning of grenades and bren magazines; improvements made to trenches; shelling; details of listening posts. REEL 16 Continues: learning of listening post locations; rotation around duties; creation and condition of listening posts; story of a Mongolian soldier spotting the listening post; description of fighting and ambush patrols; duties in trench; activities while on listening post; make-up of listening post; role of listening post; sounds heard and communication; more on role of listening patrol; story of seeing opposing troops on a patrol; method for leaving and entering trench; process of being called into trench; need for care in No Man's Land; reactions when under attack; story of soldier taken prisoner; make-up of an ambush patrol; weapons taken and reason for not taking bren; story of Corporal Lofthouse's actions on an ambush patrol; end of patrolling; amount of patrolling done each week; length of first spell in line; troops relieved in line; reason of problems on left side of line; gaining dominance of No Man's Land and advantages of doing so; effect of No Man's Land dominance on peace talks. REEL 17 Continues: reasons for listening patrols; support from reserve company; story of bugler throwing grenades; aftermath of fights; reason for not using phosphorous grenades; grenades used on patrols; unwritten laws of company; maintenance of patrol groups; make-up of a fighting patrol; keenness of officers in battalion; selection of patrol; parcels sent by Mayor of Durham; story of earlier raid on Chinese lines; artillery and mortar support; shelling from Chinese; opinion Allies had superiority in arms; need for care during day to not attract attention; proximity of Chinese troops at Yong Dong; use of tanks and affects on infantry; taking cover from shelling and effects on activity; Chinese use of machine guns; length of stays on Point 355; effect of routine on troops and activities in rest area; example of soldier suffering from shellshock; rumour of soldier attempting to wound himself; self-discipline of troops; religion among troops and visits from Roman Catholic priest; cleanliness. REEL 18 Continues: grounds for complaint; regulars and National Servicemen in company; opinion and role of NCOs and officers; turnover of troops and position of regulars; relationship of officers with National Servicemen; NAAFI request; method of drinking condensed milk; cigarettes in K rations; laundry; arrival of new drafts; relief from Australian troops; description of rest area moved into; spread of battalion; methods of bathing; latrines; activities in rest area; cooking of meals; washing and changing of clothes; hygiene; daily routine including training and drill; promotion to Lance Corporal and course attended; posting with 11 Platoon; reason for moving promoted troops; length of period in rest area; guard duties; release of Chinese POWs; leisure activities; position taken on return to Point 355; relief of Australian troops; length of period on Point 355; location of new position; supply wagons heard from listening post. REEL 19 Continues: "mad mile" supply route; positions taken by company; importance of the Hook and Point 355; precautions taken against attack; peace talks and Chinese probing; trenches in new position; description of terrain; earlier Chinese occupation of Korea; opinion of Australian troops; Browning machine gun left behind by American troops; Korean troops attached to company; living conditions; weather; protection against mosquitoes and reasons for not having mosquito nets; fireflies; problems from rain; health in army; routine; use of patrols; problems faced by troops on Hook; watching events on Hook; earlier events in Korean War; signs of earlier fighting; patrolling policy; use of radios on patrol. REEL 20 Continues: increase in Chinese activity; reaction to Chinese activity while on patrol at Surrey Hill; details of Surrey Hill and patrols sent there; use of machine guns; reactions to increased activity; strengthening of patrols; positions of D Company Platoons; method of exiting and entering trenches; positions of listening posts; approach of Chinese troops; requests for permission to return to trench; story of withdrawal to trench; make-up of listening post; reaction to coming under direct fire; arrival in trench and troops on Stand To; orders to return to 10 Platoon; organisation of journey back; story of confusion and fight on run to 10 Platoon; shelling and small arms fire; reinforcement from A Company; visibility of 12 Platoon's position; activities with 10 Platoon; casualties; reactions to attack and anxiety over following nights; awards from attack; relief from Australian troops and return to rest area; promotion to Lance Corporal and course attended; posting in 11 Platoon; reactions to promotion and posting; arrival with platoon; make-up of platoon. REEL 21 Continues: settling into new platoon; move to Yong Dong; location and role of Yong Dong positions; proximity to Chinese troops; Duke of Wellington troops relieved; weather; story of centurion tank shooting from position; terrain at Yong Dong; widening of trench; old positions that had to be manned; story of patrol in old positions; shelling; relative relaxation of position; reinforcements; reason for flying reinforcements in before ceasefire; spread and state of battalion; discussion of positions; artillery support; accommodation and living conditions; rations; patrol activity including casualties and sketches of Chinese positions; shorter nights; fighting on the Hook; air activity; description of Hook; newspapers; searchlights behind positions; peace talks; mail. REEL 22 Continues: description of fighting seen on the Hook; role in Yong Dong positions; story of troops wounded at Yong Dong; opinion that Yong Dong was a good position to hold; opinions of South Korean President Syngman Rhee; release of Chinese prisoners; need for care against guerrillas; length of time at Yong Dong; move into reserve and news of ceasefire; story of celebrations and help given to Americans being attacked including wounding of Savage in minefield; description of reserve camp; creation of demilitarised zone; peace talks and ceasefire; reactions to ceasefire; orders to move to Kansas Line; earlier work on Kansas Line; story of evacuation of wounded Savage from minefield; final night attack on Americans; start of ceasefire; camp moved to and return to army routine; changes made to uniform; first guard as Lance Corporal; kit inspections; organisation of battalion in camp; accommodation; reinforcements on last day of war and story of new Royal Army Service Corps driver. REEL 23 Continues: dismantling of front line; creation of areas for sport and recreation; cleaning of transport and camps; A Company's work with release of POWs; supply of meals; evening activities; beer available and method of opening bottles; boarding of train; parcels from Durham given on journey to Pusan; transit camp in Pusan; visit to cemetery; boarding of Empire Orwell; port at Pusan; relief from Royal Warwicks; embarkation. Aspects of journey from Pusan, Korea, to Port Said, Egypt, aboard the Empire Orwell, 9/1953-10/1953: knowledge of destination; length of service remaining; demobilisation of troops; arrival in Kowloon; inspection and shore leave; troops brought back to ship by military police and reprimand from commanding officer; shore leave in Colombo and Aden; reasons for stop-offs; other passengers on boat; stories of patients in ship's hospital; duties and activities onboard; conditions on troopships travelled on; description of ship; rota for meals. REEL 24 Continues: rations; exercise; passing troopships on journey; route from Colombo to Egypt; journey up Suez Canal to Port Said; arrival in port. Aspects of period as NCO with 1st Bn Durham Light Infantry in Egypt, 10/1953-6/1954: journey to St Gabriel's Camp in Fanara; description of camp and accommodation including tidying of area around tent; ablutions; use of heaters in tents; rations; NAAFI; civilian who cleaned uniforms; shoes bought; details of annual firing tests on rifle ranges; attack exercises; story of fights with Guards at a dance; caps and tureens stolen; reprimand following morning; stories of scheme following dance; role in Egypt; places guarded and roadblocks manned; description of patrols made to make checks on British interests; story of arresting alleged spy. REEL 25 Continues: accommodation when patrolling; story of tomato fight with troops stationed in north; tiredness during week of patrols; treatment from wives of NCOs and officers; relationship with civilians; description of irrigation canal; story of guard on bridge over irrigation canal; leisure activities; daily routine; story of first swimming party; shopping in local towns; Christmas 1953; story of tents getting continually blown away; turnover of National Servicemen; story of questioning from officer while on guard duty; escort for orderly officer; duties of trains; theft of items from officers camp; annual inspection from Brigadier; kit inspections; night exercises; story of physical fitness tests taken at a rest camp; reasons for flying home; commanding officer's parade; time in transit camp; reasons for being overweight for flight; details of plane; flight to Stansted via Malta; passing through customs; brief trip to Underground transit camp in London. REEL 26 Continues: issue of travel warrants; walk to King's Cross; boarding of train; journey to Durham; journey to Brancepeth Camp; leave given to return home; story of drill parade; handing in of gear; final pay; joining of 8th Battalion. Aspects of period with 8th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB from 6/1954: equipment kept for Territorial service; commitment to 8th Battalion; wearing of uniform at work; civilian work; effect of war; contact with comrades after demobilisation; loss of pay on Territorial camp.