Francis, Peter (Oral history)

British officer served with Essex Regt in GB, 1937-1942; served with 22nd Anti-Aircraft Bde Royal Artillery in North Africa and Italy, 1942-1945

REEL 1 Background in London, 1917-1937: family; education; sporting activities; employment in city, Aspects of period with Essex Regt in GB, 1937-1942: enlistment and training; commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, 1938; mobilized and further training in Norfolk, 7/1939; nature of duties as searchlight unit and coastal defence; posted to staff at Blandford Camp, Dorset and nature of duties; role in charge of entertainment and sports; opinion of ENSA shows. Recollections of operations with 22nd Anti-Aircraft Bde in North Africa and Italy, 1942-1945: posted to Tunis, 11/1942; description of training and type of guns; role in operations room and use of radar; posted to Naples and accommodation in villa; description of conditions in Naples; discussion of role in renovating and re-opening San Carlo opera house in Naples, including description of operatic repertoire and concerts, 11/1944- 11/1945. REEL 2 Continues: opinion of BBC war correspondents; further discussion of San Carlo opera house; memory of General Alexander; opinion of rations; memory of VE Day; posted to Sicily. Various aspects of post-war life: demobilized 3/1946; impressions of London; social activities and employment. Further memories of San Carlo opera house: amusing story of singer Lily Pons; amusing story of drunken Russians; memory of Tito Gobbi; description of repertoire.