Description
Object description
British signaller served with Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 1942-1944; NCO served as technician with 1 Field Broadcasting Unit, British Forces Network in North West Europe, 1944-1947
Content description
REEL 1: Background in GB, 1932-1939: family life and education in Morden, Surrey; story of working in All Saints Annexe of Imperial War Museum, London, collecting money from evacuated children, 2/1941; called up and posted to Prestatyn, North Wales, for basic army training, 7-8/1942; story of volunteering to join Royal Corps of Signal, 8/1942. Aspects of training with Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 8/1942-7/1943: description of signals training at Catterick Camp, Kemmel and Harrogate. Aspects of period with 9th Armoured Div Signals in GB, 7/1943-9/1944: description of work; further training on Brecon Beacons and at Morley Hall, Norfolk; moved to Ipswich area and worked in camp for troops prior to D-Day landings; story of making film for Royal Corps of Signals; description of teleprinter course; importance of teleprinter in communications during war.
REEL 2 Continues: Aspects of training with 1 Field Broadcasting Unit, British Forces Network in GB, 9-12/1944: story of joining 1 Field Broadcasting Unit in St John's Wood, London; description of training on Clapham Common; background and skills of other members of Unit; description of erecting masts; story of journey from Tilbury to Ostend, Belgium, and problem of disembarkation. Recollection of operations as NCO with 1 Field Broadcasting Unit, British Forces Network in North West Europe, 12/1944-1945: description of four broadcasting stations of British Liberation Army; duties as technician with No 3 Station working with Canadians commanded by Captain Keston; stationed in school in Spoordouck, Holland, for three months; guarded by members of Dutch Resistance; opinion of Captain Keston; description of Canadian Army uniforms; question of rank and informality in Field Broadcasting Unit; description of output of No 3 Station; use of long playing records obtained from America; presentation style.
REEL 3 Continues: relations with Dutch civilians; memories of winter, 1944-1945; moved to Apen region, Germany at end of war, 4/1945; moved to Hamburg, 6/1945; first use of tape recorders requisitioned from Germans and sent to BBC; conversion of Musikhalle in Hamburg into broadcasting station; description of role in setting up British Forces Network, Hamburg, 29/Jul/1945; auditions; story of 1600 Club starting; broadcast of classical music and concerts for troops in Musikhalle; story of conductor Dr Milo Kaczmarczyk and change of name to Karacz; popularity of singer Lale Andersen.
REEL 4 Continues: story of smuggling wife of Dr Karacz across Russian border in Berlin, 12/1945; description of mobile station at Ruhleben and output; relations with Russians; description of recordings made in Berlin; employment of Germans in various professions; policy of non-fraternisation with Germans; popularity of broadcasts with Germans; broadcasting of Army dance bands by British Forces Network. Reflections on period of wartime service with British Forces Network.