Farrar, Frank (Oral history)

British officer served with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in GB, West Africa, India and Burma, 1943-1947

REEL 1 Background in Manchester, GB, 1940-1943: military background of family; reaction to outbreak of war; reason for not joining army in 1940; period as student at University of Manchester; background to joining army; interview and tests, 4/1943. Background to posting with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in West Africa, 1944: details of basic training at Bulwell including treatment from staff and background of recruits; details of pre-OCTU course at 148 Training Brigade Centre in Wrotham including memories of Captain Shinwell; posting to 206 Officers Cadet Training Unit; details of Foremark Hall, Repton; story of accident with grenade; battle training at Llyn Ogwen; rations; date of commission; question of potential family connection with General Montgomery; details of courses undertaken from 2/1944; air raids; details of British Restaurant and effects of war on civilian life; period with 38th Division on Isle of Wight; preparations for posting overseas; knowledge of destination. REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of voyage from Liverpool, GB, to Accra, Ghana, aboard the SS Orbita, 1944: population of ship; route taken to Gibraltar; bombs exploding in harbour; events during stop in Freetown harbour. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in West Africa and India, 1944: officers' mess in Accra; details of workshop; accommodation; civilian workers; problems with coastal defences; posting to No 1 Base Workshop in Lagos; duties training troops; details of boots worn by African troops; local buses; story of Sergeant Major Chauri Maiudugari; problems with wildlife during jungle training; desertion of troops; arrival in Bombay; train journey to Comilla; story of road accident; activities in Comilla; description of recovery vehicle; details of journey into Burma. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Burma, 1944-1945: reception on arrival; details of Japanese artillery; posting as adjutant; hospitalisation with malaria; work with landing craft including visit to Calcutta for spare parts. REEL 3 Continues: posting with No 5 Rear Air Maintenance Organisation; story of mistake with crankshaft; journey to Rangoon; attitude of Japanese troops; leave at Naini Tal including news of war's end; story of designing heater; report written on problems with vehicles; work on Sten gun magazine; problems with access to reservoir in Rangoon; reaction to posting to Victory Parade in London; details of journey to GB including aboard RMS Mauretania; preparations for parade including leisure activities; details of Victory Parade. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in West Africa, 1945-1947: duties in Lagos; details of officers' mess; riot control duties in Calcutta. REEL 4 Continues: riot control duties in Lagos; work repairing RAF rescue launch including employment of civilians; stories of employing witch doctor including memories of civilian servant in Arakan; story of article written by Arthur Helliwell and subsequent changes to punishments; return to GB, 1/1947 and problems with onward travel; duties during posting in Chester; service with Territorial Army.