Fair, Charles (Oral history)

British officer served with 6th and 5th Bns, Royal Anglian Regt in GB, Europe, Canada and Australia 1990-1994

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Berkhampstead, 1966-1984: social circumstances; education at Berkhampstead School, 1973-1984; interest in military history and family military connections. Recollections of training with Combined Cadet Force, Royal Anglian Regt, Berkhampstead School, 1980-1984: kitting out; instructors; organisation of unit; drill; discipline; subsequent impact of girls joining CCF; field day visits to ranges; tactical exercises;; annual camps; visits to units in Germany; question of perceived threat from Soviet Union; Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions. REEL 2 Continues: role as sergeant and question of uninterested cadets. Recollections of membership of Infantry Wing, Cambridge University OTC whilst studying geography at Pembroke College, Cambridge University, 1985-1989: sporting activities; social life; question of choice of subject; recruitment into OTC including open day and medical; kitting out; recruit basic training weekend; studying for military training qualification; weapons training and opinion of SLR rifle, General Purpose Machine Un (GPMG), Sterling sub machine gun (SMG), 84mm anti-tank rocket launcher, hand grenades and Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW); drill night training at Coldham Lane Drill Hall; drinking habits; weekend training and tactical exercises. REEL 3 Continues; attending platoon commanders battlefield course at School of Infantry, Warminster including use of tactics contained in 'Pamphlet 45', principles of war, TEWTs, importance of teamwork, question of realism of training and enjoyment of course; PT and fitness tests; assault courses; relationship with instructors; guest nights at Jesus Lane Mess; annual camps; relationship with officers and ORs during attachment with Yorkshire Hussars Light Reconnaissance Unit in Germany, 1986; secondment to 2nd Bn, Royal Regt of Fusiliers during exercise at BATUS, Medicine Hut, Canada, 1988, including realism of training, acting as rifleman, section attacks and progression of training to battalion level. REEL 4 Continues: secondment to 2nd Bn, Royal Regt of Fusiliers during exercise at BATUS, Medicine Hut, Canada, 1988, including realism of exercise, firing 84mm rocket launcher, night exercise followed by dawn attack; question of taking Territorial Army commission and attending District Assessment Board, Newark, 1987, including command tasks, 'paper' exercise, interviews and difference in qualities required in TA and regular officers; attending course with Somme Coy, Victory College, Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, 7/1987-8/1987, including nature of course, exercises, procedures for giving orders, use of models, behaviour expected as officer, passing out parade, relationship with NCO instructors and purpose of course; commission into OTC, 2/8/1987; nature of Type 'B' officer; role as second in command of Infantry Wing and liaison with permanent staff instructors; effect of OTC on academic course work; question of relationship with students; pay. REEL 5 Continues: secondment to 1st Bn, Royal Regt of Fusiliers at Aquiteri Camp, Cyprus, 8/1987, including reception, minimal training and recreations; summer camp in Scotland; story of completing Three peaks course in 24 hours; continuation of OTC activities during temporary jobs based at Berkhampstead, 1988-1989. Participation on Operation Raleigh on expedition to Victoria, Australia, 6/1989-9/1989: selection; origins o participants; background to scheme; flight out; preparatory training; building footbridge in mountains; bird survey; relationship with participants; Territorial Army during expedition. Work as sales coordinator for engineering firm at Ampthill, 1990-1992: nature of Light anti tank weapon (LAW), cluster bombs and runway destruction bombs; attending arms shows. Period as officer with D Coy, 6th Bn and 2 Coy, 5th Bn, Royal Anglian Regt at Kempston and Dunstable, 3/1990-3/1994: home defence role guarding airfields of 6th Bn, RAR; reception; under-strength nature and composition of unit; role as platoon commander; drill night and weekend training; annual camp at Sennybridge Camp, 10/1990. REEL 6 Continues: annual camp at Sennybridge Camp, 10/1990, including temporary attachment to Recruit Platoon, Headquarters Coy, relationship with NCOs, nature of brigade attack and withdrawal exercises and move by helicopter; posting to command detached platoon based at Victoria Street Drill Hall, Dunstable; recruitment activities and question of retention; role as platoon commander including opening drill hall, checking weapons and HQ visits; change of employment to research analylist, 1992; problems balancing work and TA responsibilities, maintaining fitness and personal relationships; opinion of SA80 rifle and LAW; effects of 'Options for Change' Defence Review and change in role of TA; reactions to reorganisation of unit to No 2 Coy, 5th RAR with NATO overseas role. REEL 7 Continues: comparison of 5th and 6th Bn, RAR; background to leaving unit, 3/1994; value and comparison of OTC and TA experiences; question of joining Regular Army; question of rejoining TA; opinion of various officer with OTC Cambridge University and 6th Bn, RAR.