Description
Object description
British signalman served withRoyal Corps of Signals in GB and India, 1942-1944; served with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 11th Army Group Headquarters in India, Ceylon and Singapore, 1944-1946
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Norton and Stockton-on-Tees, GB, 1923-1942: family and moves of family; family home; neighbourhood; education and finances; attendance at church; details of area grew up in; details of education including discipline; leisure activities including interest in railways; training with Air Raid Precautions from 10/1938; air raid warnings following outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; reactions to start of war; civilian work with ICI including details of pay and working hours.
REEL 2 Continues: further details of civilian work at ICI; gas mask issued; details of blackout; barrage balloons at ICI; air raids; air raid precautions at ICI; damage caused by air raids; story of collecting liquid nitrogen from Billingham; opinion of ICI; watching air activity; rationing; black market; travel during blackout; public transport; knowledge of Dunkirk evacuation and subsequent movement of troops south; story of widened road; membership of Home Guard including uniform and rifle issued; parents reaction on joining army; attempt to join air force; problems on joining army, 6/1942; process of joining; posting to Catterick; journey to Kemel Lines. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals Depot in GB, 8/1942-4/1943: reception on arrival; issue of uniform; accommodation; background of recruits; opinion of Sergeant Jewell; sleeping arrangements; morning procedures; cleaning of kit.
REEL 3 Continues: kit issued; storage and care of kit; relationship with recruits; pattern of training; drill; coping with army life; ability tests; morning procedures; firing on range; bayonet training; morning break; evening activities; discipline; details of pay; length of basic training; change of accommodation and sleeping arrangements; fuel allowance; location of camp; organisation of signals course; details of radio training; description of teleprinter including problems and role as cipher mechanic; details of cipher course; secrecy oath; length of course. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 4/1943-12/1943: story of journey to new unit at Raynes Park including accommodation; initial duties and leisure activities; posting at Ulverston including preparations for embarkation; operation in Wimbledon and later removal of stitches; embarkation leave including return to Raynes Park and posting to Hounslow.
REEL 4 Continues: duties; trainspotting activities; details of cipher maintenance course; medical; train journey to Holding Unit; embarkation leave; activities during period at Langworth; train journey to Glasgow including weapon carried. Aspects of period in transit from Glasgow, GB, to Bombay, India, aboard the RMS Strathaird, 12/1943- 1/1944: boarding of ship; population of ship; description of mess deck; rations; embarkation and voyage along River Clyde; seasickness; activities onboard including rules; firing of guns on ship; sleeping arrangements; leisure activities; voyage through Mediterranean including changes to convoy and sleeping arrangements; story of alarm; voyage through Suez Canal including trainspotting; knowledge of destination; guard duties at Aden; arrival in Bombay including uniform issued en route. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals in India, 1/1944-4/1944: train journey to Mhow including change of train at Ratlam; climate; details of camp and town; rations.
REEL 5 Continues: visits to Mhow engine shed; sunsets; health; change in headgear; activities in camp; story of map reading exercise; assault course; trade test; details of train journey through India and onward journey to Ceylon. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 11th Army Group Headquarters in Ceylon and India, 4/1944-11/1945: arrival at camp in Kandy; impressions of Ceylon; leave in Colombo; duties; situation in India; accommodation; problems with ants; sleeping arrangements; latrines; turnover of commanding officers; discipline; train journey to Calcutta including visit to engine shed at Trichinopoly and travelling in engine; arrival at Barrackpore; setting-up of lines to Delhi; problems with workload; daily routine; story of repairs carried out on New Year's Eve; reason for not gaining promotion; climate; leisure activities; health; work discipline.
REEL 6 Continues: relationship with officers and fellow signalmen; individuality of unit; problems with gaining leave; return to Kandy; repairing of teleprinters; story of attempt to meet friend in Colombo; reactions to end of war and activities on VJ Day; contact with senior officers; journey to Malaya. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 11th Army Group Headquarters in Singapore, 11/1945-1/1946: impressions of Singapore; duties; water supply and ration; accommodation; rations; opinion of posting; contact with Japanese; scenes around Singapore; wait for departure; story of return voyage to and stay in Saigon; headquarters mutiny in absence; posting in Kranji; visits to Kuala Lumpur; news of parents; process of gaining compassionate leave; details of flight to Britain. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals in GB, 8/1946- 6/1947: compassionate leave and subsequent postings.