Barrass, Patrick Rae (Oral history)

British officer served with 2nd Bn Essex Regt in GB, France and Belgium, 1938-1943; served as intelligence officer with Headquarters, 25 Bde in GB, 1943-1944; served with 2nd Bn Essex Regt in North West Europe, 1944; served as student with Staff College, Haifa in Palestine, 1945; served as staff officer with Headquarters, 19th Indian Div in Burma, 1945-1946; served as staff officer with Headquarters, Burma Command in Burma, 1946-1947; served as staff officer with Headquarters, British Army of the Rhine in Germany, 1947-1949; served with 1st Bn Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt in Salonika, Greece and GB, 1949-1951; served as staff officer with Headquarters, Caribbean Area, Kingston, Jamaica, 1951-1954; served with Essex Regimental Depot, Warley Barracks in GB, 1954-1955; served with 1st Bn Essex Regt in Hong Kong, 1955-1956; served as staff officer with War Office in London, GB, 1956-1959. Civilian manager with Channel Air Bridge at Southend Airport, GB, 1962-1963; sales manager with British United Air Ferries in London, GB, 1963-1967; manager with British Caledonian Airways in GB, 1967-1984

REEL 1 Aspects of membership of OTC at Fields School in GB prior to enlistment in Essex Regt, 1938: military service in family; training in OTC; annual camps; rivalry between school OTCs; emphasis on offensive tactics; instructors; ethos of service at school; anticipation of coming war; sitting examination for Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Aspects of enlistment and training with Essex Regt in GB, 1938: joining unit as part of Supplementary Reserve of Officers, 10/1938; selection process; discipline; basic training at regimental depot Warley; origins of recruits; level of discipline and attitude to being in army. Recollections of period as officer with 2nd Bn Essex Regt at Warley Barracks in GB, 1938-1939: posting to unit; battalion strength; character of training; digging slit trenches. REEL 2 Continues: opinion of company training attacks; parades and route marches; unit weapons; use of Bren gun; opinion of Boyes anti-tank rifle; mobilisation at time of German invasion of Czechoslovakia, 3/1939; barrack accommodation; officers quarters; married officers; relations between officers and other ranks; terms of service for troops; character of senior NCOs; anti-aircraft duties on outbreak of war, 9/1939; attitude of reservists to recall; orders to move to France; expectations of how war would be conducted; last dinner prior to departure for France; address from Lord Lieutenant and march to station. Recollections of period as officer with 2nd Bn Essex Regt in France, 1939-1940: initial impressions of France; First World War veterans in battalion; attitude of troops to prospect of active service; train journey from Cherbourg to Brest; accommodation in Brest; attachment to guard ammunition train. REEL 3 Continues: derailment of locomotive near Rouen; duties guarding train and intended role of ammunition trains; provisioning troops at Fortel; collecting mail from battalion; fraternisation with detachment of Wiltshire Regt; fate of stationmaster at Fortel; use of anti-gas indicators and capes; duration of guard duties; visit by Adjutant General; orders to conduct the train to Brest; return to battalion at Gauchon la Galle, 11/1939; construction of anti-tank ditches; taking command of platoon in B Coy; origins of platoon members; work improving roads, early 1940; route marching and training; character of civilian billets; relations with civilians on La Bassee Canal; an amusing linguistic incident; troops means of communication with civilians. REEL 4 Continues: daily routine and boredom; troops rationing; question of introduction of platoon sergeant-majors; recreational activities in Lille; incidents of men going absence without leave; censorship of mail; threat of Fifth Columnists and later capture of parachutist; character of invasion scare, 12/1939. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Bn Essex Regt during German invasion of Belgium and France, 5/1940- 6/1940: start of German invasion whist on attachment in training area, 10/5/1940; communication system 'Table A'; return to battalion; move into Belgium; situation in Belgium; move into concentration area north west of Brussels; lack of German Air Force activity; attitude of troops; orders to deploy on Charleroi Canal; pattern of deployment; view forward from positions. REEL 5 Continues: leave arrangements prior to invasion, 2/1940; change from service dress to battle dress with webbing; pay and allowances in France; degree of knowledge of situation on canal, 5/1940; sight of civilian refugees and British troops retiring over bridge; blowing of bridge; German firing on positions; withdrawal from canal; character of night time march from positions; German Air Force attacks on roads congested with refugees; method of attack by Junkers Ju 87 Stukas; plight of refugees; firing back at German aircraft; rate of movement on march and sleeping whilst marching; frustration of troops during withdrawal; arrival in Mershon; deployment in Mershon. REEL 6 Continues: positions on La Bassee Canal; use of buildings; burning of canal barges; arrival of German armoured cars and motorcycles on other side of canal; use of Boyes anti-tank rifle to destroy German armoured cars; obtaining maps from armoured cars; no attempt by Germans to cross canal; artillery fire on positions; reasons for not using overhead cover on trenches; method employed by quartermaster to obtain rations; acquiring wine; French liaison officer; impressions of Belgian and French troops; support from French tanks on La Bassee canal; company commander Henry Jones announcement; withdrawal from La Bassee canal; concentrating of unit at Fromelles and subsequent German Air Force attack; no sightings of RAF; Regimental Sergeant Major Sutton removal of ammunition truck; effect of commanding officers car accident en route to Brussels. REEL 7 Continues: character of commanding officer and second in command; effects of lack of sleep; orders to retire to Watau and physical state of his company commander; losing company commander during march towards Dunkirk; character of some older officers; obtaining water; obtaining bicycle and first sight of Dunkirk; state of road in Dunkirk perimeter; arrival on beach at La Panne; German Air Force attacks on shipping; behaviour of British troops in dunes; sight of hospital ship and destroyer being sunk; sleeping in abandoned ambulance; queues of troops into sea; searching for battalion on beach; wading out into Royal Navy whaler and transfer to HMS Anthony; officers sleeping in wardroom during voyage to Ramsgate; reception in Ramsgate. REEL 8 Continues: train journey to Weymouth; atmosphere in Weymouth; recovery from campaign. Recollections of period as officer with 2nd Bn Essex Regt in GB, 1940-1943: rejoining unit at Tatton Park; disembarkation leave; rejoining battalion at Keele Hall in Staffordshire; unrecognised importance of mole at Dunkirk; move to Knighton; joining 25 Bde, 47th Div; awareness of threats of armour and air attacks; introduction of slit trench; role of 47th Div as mobile column; role in forming motorcycle platoon; learning to ride motorcycles; amusing story of motorcycle combination becoming detached; techniques for road movements; development of tactics. REEL 9 Continues: rate of movement in buses; question of reality of threat of German invasion; invasion scare, 9/1940; movement of unit; role of motorcycle platoon; use of forward screen; unit tactics in attack; form of attack determined by ground and enemy positions; fate of motorcycle platoon; move to Leominster; attachment sorting Christmas mail in Birmingham, 12/1940; appointment as unit intelligence officer, 1/1941; duties as intelligence officer. REEL 10 Continues: policy on marriage; attitude towards threat of invasion, 1940; prior recollection of patrolling in Woolwich to counter threat of IRA, summer 1939; leave from Leominster; security plans for reservoir in Wales supplying Birmingham, early 1941; social life in Leominster; attending sniping course at Bisley; selection of targets for sniping; use of snipers in battalion; effect on morale of victories in North and East Africa; degree of dissemination of information within battalion; visits by senior officers; promotion to lieutenant, 2/1941; posting of company commanders to form new battalions of regiment; character of quartermaster; posting of regimental sergeant-major and his successor RSM Gulliver. REEL 11 Continues: arrival of officers in unit from OCTU; need of officers to know their men; assessment and judgement of new officers by NCOs; duties as assistant adjutant; knowledge of orderly room sergeant and clerks; disciplinary powers of commanding officer; move to Worthing; role during convoy; coastal defence duties in Worthing including improving defences; deployment for coastal defence in Worthing; character of observation posts. REEL 12 Continues: location of battalion headquarters; character of battalion and divisional exercises; rounding up of captured German aircrew; attending intelligence course; senior officer casualties in mine field; amusing story of visit by new commanding officer; incident of being shot at by Home Guard in Brighton; arrival of new commanding officer Bill Marriott; character of commanding officers; question of age of officers in command; personal checks on identity in Worthing; participation in Operation Bumper; degree of experience of senior commanders; organisation of unit; communications in Worthing; defence plan for Worthing. REEL 13 Continues: amusing story of umpiring during exercises; further details of defence plan for Worthing and its hinterland; attending intelligence officers' course; becoming company commander; duties patrolling perimeter of Headquarters, South Eastern Command in Reigate; taking command of a company; contrast between commanding a company and a platoon; move to Bord Hill Camp; attending 47 Div Battle School; nature of training at battle school. REEL 14 Continues: numbers and types of students on the course; character of instructors; attending company commanders course at Petworth; syllabus and exercises; emphasis on night work and attitude towards it relevance; means of issuing orders; further details of company commanders course; attending 5th Corps Junior Officer Tactical School; move of battalion to Portsmouth; relations with naval personnel; amusing story of submariners having breakfast; six month posting to staff of Corps Tactical School; syndicate method of instruction. REEL 15 Continues: types of tactics discussed; method of assessing students; attachment to lecturing Home Guard on Isle of Wight; impressions of the Home Guard; reaction to news of first thousand bomber raid on Cologne, 1942; content to stay with battalion; initial impression of German invasion of Russia, 6/1941; impact of US entry into the war; effects of news from Far East; narrow escapes during grenade and mortar fire; courts of inquiry; sitting on field court martial in Normandy, 1944; nature of field court martials. REEL 16 Continues: lack of failures at 5th Corps Junior Officer Tactical School; incident of being attacked by German Messerschmitt Me 109 fighter whilst doing physical training on beach; weekend leave in London; return to command D Coy with unit at Botley Camp near Southampton, 7/1942; demonstration of attack by infantry riding on tanks on Salisbury Plain, summer 1942; sources of new officers; necessary qualities of junior officers; training cycle and use of ranges; types of shooting and coaching system; distances from target and 'running down the range'; frequency and distances when marching; degree to which tactical training changed; lectures; impact of and lessons learnt from Dieppe Raid, 8/1942. REEL 17 Continues: arrival of US forces; emphasis on motorised mobility; rate of embussing and debussing; emphasis on offensive during training; nature of exercises; move to Alresford; rations; weekend exercises with Home Guard; amusing story of sneaky attack on Home Guard in village; running course for unit NCOs; importance of giving clear orders; second hand story of American approach to orders; method of instruction on course; recreational activities; reaction to Allied victories in North Africa and Russia; opinion of German chances of invasion by 1942. REEL 18 Continues: Christmas at Alresford, 12/1942; mother's encounters in canteen with Americans in Ongar; brigade study days; move into barracks at Barton Stacey near Andover; restoration of battalion routine and discipline; character of inspections; night prowler guards; origins of battalion nickname; incident of cooks turning up on parade; move to Highcliff, 4/1943; reads from letter about time in Highcliff; changes in civilian attitude towards coastal defence; relations with civilians in Highcliff. REEL 19 Continues: Recollections of period as intelligence officer with Headquarters, 25 Bde in GB, 1943-1944: background to posting; visits with Brigadier and duties; character of brigade exercises; attending camouflage course; degree of information available about German forces; night voyage around the Isle of Wight aboard HMS Wellington; visit to American Combat Group in Wiltshire; first flight in which American pilot got lost. Recollections of period as officer with 2nd Bn Essex Regt in GB, 1944: move to Durham, 1/1944; Exercise Eagle in snow. REEL 20 Continues: move to Clacton- on-Sea; formation of 50 Independent Infantry Bde; attachment to 50 Div; character of Combined Operations training at Inverary; question of integration of reinforcements into unit; move to Christchurch for further amphibious training; incident when American captain of landing craft attempted to disembark his company on sand bank; loss of company headquarters during landing exercise; brigade exercises; use of 'Tommy- Cooker' and rations; departure of commanding officer Bill Marriott. REEL 21 Continues: change in command and character of Colonel Higson; move into Sealed Camp B3 in New Forest; character of briefings for D-Day including use of scale model; scope of briefings; security measures; confidence of unit; importance of presence of Montgomery; missing appointment as liaison officer to General Miles Dempsey. REEL 22 Continues: proposed role of 56th Independent Bde; impressions of address by General Erskine; training in armour co-operation; arrival of second in command; issue of jeeps; use of Bren gun carrier; waterproofing of vehicles; embarking on Landing Craft Infantry (Large) at Lymington; assembling of landing craft at Southampton; postponement of landings. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Bn Essex Regt on Gold Beach, Normandy, D-Day, 6/6/1944: character of Channel crossing; unwise choice of kidney soup rations; scope of naval armada; reasons for lack of sleep; dawn. REEL 23 Continues: slowing down of landing craft and circling; sight of naval bombardment; sight of activity around Le Hamel; landing on Gold Beach; personal weapon; move off beach and move through minefield; assembling at Le Buhot; advance to St Sulpice crossroads; patrols reported German occupying Bayeux; sight of German Air Force attacks on Allied shipping; use of standing patrols. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Bn Essex Regt in Normandy, 1944: advance towards Bayeux, 7/6/1944; wounding of signal officers when carrier hit by mine; plans for memorial at Bayeux; digging in on St Lo road at Montmiral; reception by French farmer; amusing story of engaging German vehicle. REEL 24 Continues: capture of German motorcycle combination; reconnaissance in carrier down St Lo road; deployment at Montmiral; attachment to command of 22 Armoured Bde; occupation of Jouaye Mondaye, 10/6/1944; taking up positions near Verrieres; advance across cornfield; casualties marked by rifles; throwing grenade away from officer's pack; aiding Eric Watson; abandonment of German positions; German armoured counter attack; German use of flame-throwers; behaviour of padre and commanding officer after counter attack. REEL 25 Continues: question of removal of commanding officer; character of Colonel John Higson; arrival of new commanding officer Geoffrey Elliot; effects of fatigue; withdrawal from Verrieres; in reserve in Ellon; exploring Bayeux; patrolling into Tilly; entering abandoning Tilly; loss of platoon commanders; how wounded soldiers wanted to return unit; threat of mines; lack of discussion of dead and wounded; correspondence with families of dead. REEL 26 Continues: loss of Corporal Haynes; German response to capture of Tilly; return of unit to 50th Div; attack on Bois de St Germain followed by German counter attack; encounter with Germans in wood; formation during attack on wood; opinion of artillery support; use of Churchill Crocodile flame throwing tanks; opinion of Germans; presence of Poles in German forces; attack by German aircraft with sea mine; size of standing patrols; use of snipers; German sniping; role of standing patrols; move to Caumont le Vente, 7/1944. REEL 27 Continues: accidental attacks on British forces by American artillery, fighters and bombers; C Coy attachment to Green Howards; sight of concentrated bombing by Bomber Command; character of attack on ridge near Launay; character of attack at Croisilly supported by armour; location of Germans during attack. REEL 28 Continues: effects of stomach disorder; loss of his second in command in attack on wood; casualties amongst company and platoon commanders; reinforcements and manpower shortage; cases of battle fatigue; dead cows in Normandy; joining 1st Canadian Army east of Caen; problems with mosquitos in marshes; river crossing at Pont Audemer; attack on wood near Foret de Bretton. REEL 29 Continues: conditions of German POWs in Foret de Bretton; use of captured German vehicles; move to Le Havre area; forty eight hour period in rest camp in beach head; sight of errant V1; air support signal units and RAF support; location of Forward Observation Officers; threat of mines in Normandy; amusing story of driver who had self inflicted wound in his backside; role as president of field court martial; outcome of field court martial; use of SLIDEX code. REEL 30 Continues: visit by Polish officer; issue of rum; relief by Poles; impressions of Polish troops; opinion of Canadian war effort; character of company rations; use of 'Aldershot ovens'; lack of bread; cooking arrangements; officers fed after men; alcohol supplies; availability of rations and water supplies; disbandment of D Coy; taking command of S Coy for attack on Le Havre, 8/1944; preliminary aerial bombardment of Le Havre; forming up under artificial moonlight; loss of flail tanks on mines; character of German commander at Le Havre; reasons for night time assault; entry into Le Havre; unit casualties. REEL 31 Continues: rest in reserve at Lillebonne, 8/1944-9/1944; invitation to go to staff college; reconstitution of D Coy. Recollections of operations as officer with 2nd Bn Essex Regt in North West Europe, 1944: move northwards to Netherlands; question of strategic situation in Netherlands, 9/1944; attack on Rikkiborstel, 9/1944; German counter attack less strong in Netherlands than Normandy; departure of commanding officer Geoffrey Elliot and character of new commanding officer Colonel Findlayson, 10/1944; degree of contact between companies in wartime; close knit character of unit; nature of operations in Netherlands; relieved by US 104 Div. REEL 32 Continues: American priorities for briefing; tactics employed by unit in Netherlands; German use of Nebelwerthers; relieved by American troops and how they attracted artillery fire; question of American troops lacking battle experience; attitude towards continuation of war after Normandy campaign; incident of mistaking sound of tram for a tank; visits to Rosendaal and lack of contact with Dutch civilians; watching airbursts break up German counter attack in Dutch village; last time he was under German fire; psychological condition under fire. Aspects of period awaiting posting to staff college in GB, 11/1944-12/1944: orders to return to GB; threat of V2 rockets at Warley; attitude of Londoners to V2 explosion; special celebrations in his father's parish; adjusting to being away from battle conditions; sight of V2's being launched in Netherlands; period in London District Assembly Centre; voyage from GB to Egypt. REEL 33 Continues: Recollections of period as student with Staff College, Haifa, Palestine, 1945: landing at Port Said, Egypt; impressions of Cairo, Egypt; arrival at staff college; organisation of college; use of syndicates; syllabus; lectures; course exercises; use of Tactical Exercises Without Troops; opinion of skills learnt at college; giving orders in field; appreciation of situation and formal orders; value of loyalty reinforced. REEL 34 Continues: technique for making a case; tests for decision making; presence of Poles at staff college; character of Directing Staff; failures summoned to see commandant; reasons for volunteering for service in Far East; working routine; bathing beach guarded by Arab Legion; relations with Jewish and Arabs civilians; degree of threat in Palestine; VE Day celebrations in Panorama Bar, Mount Carmel, 5/1945; return to GB. Recollections of period as staff officer with Headquarters, 19 Indian Div in Burma, 1945-1946: flight to Ceylon; prior recollection of reaction to VJ Day in London, 8/1945; posting as G2 Intelligence; conditions during transit in Colombo, Ceylon; social life during transit in Calcutta, India. REEL 35 Continues: advise to stay clear of university in Calcutta; taxis and cows in Calcutta; sight of former prisoners of war; voyage from HMT Derbyshire from Calcutta to Rangoon, Burma; conditions in Rangoon; effects of Mariners Gin in Royal Signals Corps mess in Rangoon; arrival at headquarters at Toungoo, 10/1945; character of headquarters; duties; presence of Japanese POWs and Burmese guerrilla forces; character of General Pete Rees; collection of evidence from Burmese civilians about Japanese behaviour; description of cartoon in Soldier magazine; composition of division; use of aircraft to visit brigades; guard on Royal Army Ordnance Corp depot at Toungoo; behaviour of dacoits; rounding up Japanese POWs; organising tattoo. REEL 36 Continues: units participating in tattoo; relations between British officers and Indian troops; presence of Italian band in tattoo; solution to lighting tattoo; use of Japanese labour; organisation of transport for audience to watch tattoo; leave in Kalaw including encounter with aborigine; dissolution of division. Recollections of period as GSO2 (Operations) at Headquarters, Burma Command in Burma, 1946-1947: encounter senior intelligence officer about his not wanting to stay in intelligence; monsoon and mango showers; senior staff in command; composition of command; lack of shipping; messing arrangements and rations; mess staff defying strike called by Aung San; relations with Burmese; air drops of rice to Kerens. REEL 37 Continues: personal experience of air drop; operations against dacoits; activities organised for troops; character of leave in Kashmir, India; casualty from heatstroke; health precautions; military funeral; contracting amoebic dysentery and treatment during hospitalisation; treatment for hook worm; convalescent centre in mountains; rehabilitation exercises; lack of popularity of pre- war governor; dealing with Aung San. REEL 38 Continues: political situation in Burma; effects of food shortages; road journeys with General Harold Briggs; inspection of Chin forces; railway system in Burma; character of General Harold Briggs; visit to headquarters in Singapore; lack of Europeans returning to Rangoon; running down of headquarters; shooting competitions; monsoon breaking, 5/1946; problems with mosquitoes and scorpions; visits from Royal Navy; dangers of flying in Burma; recreational facilities. REEL 39 Continues: conduct of business at headquarters; office routine; evening activities; effects of prickly heat; orders to return to GB, 7/1947; plans for multi-national training centre. Aspects of voyage from Burma to GB aboard HMT Staffordshire, 1946: ports called into on route; activities on board ship; heat in Red Sea; remarks made to troops on shore going through Suez Canal; opportunity to acclimatise on troopships. Recollections of period as staff officer with DAQMG (Movements) with Headquarters, British Army of the Rhine, Germany, 1947-1949: appointment to DAQMG (Movements); use of ferries to transport troops and others from GB to The Hague, Netherlands; visits to Southampton and training railway centre at Longmoor; visit to Normandy with former comrades from Essex Regiment. REEL 40 Continues: character of headquarters at Bad Oyenhausen; use of German staff; development of non- fraternisation policy; use of chocolate, cigarettes and coffee as currency; reasons for not being allowed to buy goods in shops; organisation of Movements Staff; character of Movements Staff; opinion of organisation of headquarters; organisation of passenger movements; the Medlock train; visit to Berlin; use of Goring's train coach for trips to Hamburg and Vienna; contrast in relations with Germans and Austrians; attending conference in Zurich, Switzerland; visit to Amsterdam, Netherlands. REEL 41 Continues: lack of problems of managing German rail system; witnessing security and protocol for passage of special train; lack of contact with Russians; address by Field Marshal Montgomery and General Horrocks on global situation; degree of threat from Russians; high standard of living in British Army of the Rhine; relations with Germans; British role in establishing democratic institutions in Germany; weekend shooting parties; leave in south of France; role within Movements Staff and relations with senior officer; availability of alcohol at headquarters; requesting return to regimental duty. Recollections of period as officer with 1st Bn Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire in Salonika, Greece and GB, 1949-1951: background to posting, 4/1949; amusing adventure in Port Said, Egypt on voyage; character of Colonel Dennis Rossiter; prior recollection of departure from Headquarters, British Army of the Rhine. REEL 42 Continues: reverting to substantive captain and change of badges; atmosphere in battalion on arrival; programme of exercises in hills; arrival of first National Servicemen; impressions of British troops in contrast to Yugoslavians; invitation to become adjutant; role of adjutant; views of Colonel of Regiment and Orderly Room Sergeant to having a non regimental adjutant; degree of threat from Yugoslavian forces; composition of brigade; question of name of regiment; internal situation in Greece; conditions in Salonika and relations with Greeks; character of camp; contrast between engineer and infantry mentality. REEL 43 Continues: purposes and character of exercises in hills; his abolishing of 5.30 physical training parade; changes of uniform for warmer weather; Colonel Rossiter's style of command; method of issuing orders on exercises; organisation of battalion; adjutant's responsibility for discipline and administration; importance of correct wording of charge sheet; types of offensives; courts of inquiries; responsibility for drums and band; treatment for rabies; farewell parade in Salonika; return to GB; march through town on arrival at Bury St Edmunds; renewing acquaintance with Brigadier Henry Blest; character of second in command; administrative preparations for battalion move. REEL 44 Continues: on leave from Greece in Turkey; cocktail parties at American Consulate; new orders required for change in location at Bury St Edmunds; role of British troops as deterrent in Salonika; joining 29th Bde; reasons why unit wasn't sent to Korea, 1951; disputes over length of National Service; importance of prolonged collective training; taking over role as Demonstration Battalion at School of Infantry at Warminster, 1951; mess life; duties of orderly officer; change from pre-war unit arrangements; contrast between pre-war and post war officers; behaviour on guest nights. REEL 45 Continues: mess games; difference between Adjutant and RSM parades; providing guard of honour for Field Marshal Slim; different forms of guard of honours; character of Colonel of the Regiment Sir Reginald Denning; sense of identity in unit and limited role in domestic affairs of unit; an officer from the Northamptonshire Regt who found it hard to integrate into unit; company commanders and their characters; character of Regimental Sergeant Majors; leave with fellow officer in France; weekend leaves; question of marriage in army; position of adjutant within unit; range of demonstrations at School of Infantry, Warminster; liaison with chief instructor; continuation of normal training. REEL 46 Continues: levels of training at Warminster; turnover of personnel; providing special guards at RAF Marham, 1950; accommodation at Nook Camp; presentation to Queen as Colonel in Chief; introduction of confidential reports for officers, 1/1951; annual medical examination PULHEEMS; commanding officer's formulation of confidential reports; assessment of NCOs; given assistant adjutant David Carter; training assistant adjutant; complexity of mobilisation schemes; relations with unit clerks; daily routine orders and their distribution; firepower demonstrations; trials of new equipment including Austin Champ. REEL 47 Continues: involvement in strikes at Southampton Docks and Smithfield Meat Market; approach to young soldiers straight from home; development of individual personality; conversion of some troops from National Servicemen to regular servicemen; process of assimilation; dance in officers mess; amusing story of Captain John Kitto's pack of 'beagles'; list of necessary calls in Bury St Edmunds and Warminster; background to being offered posting to Headquarters, Caribbean Area; farewell ceremonies on leaving regiment. Recollections of period as GSO2, Headquarters, Caribbean Area, Kingston, Jamaica, 1951-1954: purchase of car; leaving home; voyage from Avonmouth to Jamaica. REEL 48 Continues: first contact with Jamaicans; sightings on voyage; arrival in Kingston; facilities at Uppark Camp; initial accommodation; lack of colour bar in West Indies; provision of staff car and driver; view from his office in area headquarters; reporting to Brigadier commanding Caribbean Area; clerks and civilian employees; character of the Brigadier; headquarters staff; duties and responsibilities; character of Jamaica Regt; commanding officer of Royal Welch Fusiliers; locally manned service units. REEL 49 Continues: responsibility for internal security; major threats to British Guatemala, British Guiana and Grenada; governorship of West Indies colonies; degree of liaison with French; character of military intelligence officer; responsibilities for training; effects of being controlled directly from War Office in London; communications; liaison with police; local volunteer forces throughout area; threat to British Honduras from Guatemala; Prime Minister Dr Jagam's political leanings in British Guiana; ethnic tensions in British Guiana; amusing story of ghosts called 'duppies'; the Jamaican Band; staff duties; ceremonial occasions; resources in area; sporting activities; the Cadet Force; lack of tourism; visits by RAF, Royal Navy and US forces; reasons for US bases in West Indies. REEL 50 Continues: visit to Trinidad, 7/1951; resources and bases in Trinidad; effects of hurricane on Jamaica; character of Governor of Jamaica, Sir Hugh Foot; meetings with Colonial Secretary and police; location of guards; leadership of political parties in Jamaica; structure of colonial government; promotion to major; social engagements contrast to austerity in GB; representational role; visit to Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia, US, 9/1951; suspicious reception in Cuba on route to US; aboard HMS Superb in Boston, US. REEL 51 Continues: nature of meeting with SACLANT in Norfolk; American sensitivity about threats to Panama Canal; organisation of Armistice Day Parade; West Indian military effort in Second World War; Brigadier's cruise of inspection; ceremonial duties on death of King George VI; change in naval flagship to HMS Sheffield; visit to British Honduras; threat from Guatemala to British Honduras; character of local volunteers in British Honduras; Government House in Belize, British Honduras; social drinking at airport terminal; visit to border. REEL 52 Continues: political party in British Honduras; deployment of first British troops to British Honduras; provision of operational orders and standing orders to troops in British Honduras; question of role of local volunteers; sources of information from Guatemala; internal pressures in Guatemala; process of planning and orders for deployment to British Honduras; subsequent development in security of British Honduras; meeting with Americans in Panama including shark fishing; situation in Panama; return flight to Jamaica; marriage in Jamaica; obtaining quarters on Stony Hill; honeymoon in Ian Fleming's house 'Goldeneye'. REEL 53 Continues: arrangements for visit by Prime Minister Winston Churchill; Brigadier's social customs; story of Calypso singing and Lady Keyes; annual weapons meeting; competition and competitors; plans for celebration of Queen's Coronation; administration of tattoo; guards of honour; Jamaican contingent for Coronation in London; Queen's birthday parade in Kingston; request to return to Essex Regiment as company commander in Korea and why it was turned down. REEL 54 Continues: support for parades by local civilians; visit by President of Nicaragua; visits he made to Montserrat and Dominica; implications of change in AQMG; reasons for British Government suspending constitution of British Guiana; Dr Jagum's attempts to subvert police and local volunteers; discreet visit with Brigadier to Trinidad to be briefed by commissioner of police and Governor's Executive Secretary; mission to British Guiana to assess situation; arrival at airport in British Guiana; reception by volunteers; plan to deploy military force to schools. REEL 55 Continues: plans to occupy Georgetown and Atkinson Field; meeting with prominent civilians; return to Jamaica; plan to use HMS Sheffield to transport 1st Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers to British Guiana; arrival off Georgetown; transfer to launch in heavy swell; atmosphere in Government House; disembarkation of troops in Georgetown; rumour of gun running into British Guiana from Brazil and decision to visit Chief of Police in Boa Vista; Art William's transporting contraband over border. REEL 56 Continues: Art William's treatment of his aircrew; meeting with Chief of Police in Boa Vista; return to British Guiana, then Jamaica; assistance with staff work; arrival of 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders aboard HMS Indomitable; political changes in British Guiana; how Brigadier briefed his wife on clandestine work; birth of first child; parade to mark Queen's visit to Jamaica, 1953; reception for the Queen and Prince Philip in King's House; character of Alexander Bustamente. REEL 57 Continues: meeting between Alexander Bustamente and the Queen; composition of guard of honour; close protection for Queen; departure of Queen from Port Royal; political atmosphere in Jamaica; drawing up scheme for establishment of West Indian Regiment; question of internal security in West Indies; reasons why front-line troops never established in Bermuda; leaving Jamaica and return voyage to GB. Recollections of period as officer with Essex Regt Depot at Warley Barracks in GB, 1954-1955: drafting to depot, 2/1954. REEL 58 Continues: reflections on work in Caribbean; parent's circumstances in Norfolk; attending School of Infantry Company Commander's Course at Warminister; contrast between Second World War courses and those held post war; duties as Training Major at depot; treatment of National Servicemen; importance of making conscripts do useful training; preparing recruits for training and army life; duration of courses; introductory course and training sessions; pattern of training; question of discipline. REEL 59 Continues: work of officers; contrast between recruits in the 1930s and 1950s; relations between officers and other ranks; opinion of National Service benefits; character of commanding officer David Wilkinson; use of batman and his work; role of depot beyond basic training; accommodation in barracks; aspects of character of depot; limits of basic training. Recollections of period as officer with 1st Bn Essex Regt in Hong Kong, 1955-1956: voyage to Hong Kong on board HMT Empire Fowey including passing HMS Newcastle in mist; arrival at Kowloon, 4/1955; move to Fan Ling in New Territories. REEL 60 Continues: impressions of New Territories; deployment of forces in New Territories; character of defensive positions held along border; married quarters; arrangements for commuting to and from Fan Ling; lack of acquaintances in 1st Battalion; problem of making and establishing social contacts; running down of unit for potential merger; emphasis on internal security operations due to impact of refugees into Hong Kong; instructions for internal security operations; lack of threat from guerrilla action. REEL 61 Continues: exercises in New Territories; appointed as adjutant; question of commanding officer's motives for appointment; disciplinary matters; health problems; uniform worn; birth of second son; obtaining suitable Ayah; role of contractor; regimental dinners in mess at Fan Ling; degree of contact with Chinese civilians; Remembrance Parade at cenotaph in Hong Kong; liaison duties with other services; qualifying as marksman on range; leave in Macau. REEL 62 Continues: ban on eating salads in Hong Kong; use of mules in Pack Transport Coy; annual tattoo, 11/1955; prospect of merging with Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regt into East Anglian regiment. Aspects of voyage from Hong Kong to GB aboard HMT Empire Windrush, 1956: planning for embarkation; baggage allowance and categories of baggage; duties of OC Troops officer on board; transport for troops for embarkation; process of embarkation; use of guides to cabins; activities on board; presence of nursery on board; ports called in on route; hearing news of Nasser's seizure of Suez Canal and decision to send ship around Cape of Good Hope; role of regimental band. REEL 63 Continues: importance of regimental bands; visit to Zanzibar; reception in Cape Town; advise to avoid involvement in politics; call in at Dakar; arrival in Southampton. Recollections of period as staff officer with War Office in London, GB, 1956-1959: attitude to posting; use of 'hiring'; location of various branches of the War Office; first sight of television; character and organisation of Movements Directorate; scope of his duties; plans for movement of troops including use of civilian companies; capacities of railways and docks; plans sent via planning committee to Chiefs of Staff. REEL 64 Continues: reasons for writing paper for withdrawal of hospital ships; work of the Joint Movements Co-ordininating Committee; amusing story of Admiral's tactical use of hearing aid; impressions of efficiency of Civil Service; lack of effect of Suez Crisis, 1956; top secret nature of work; civil servants on staff; dealing with civilian companies; compiling of information about potential destinations; civilian clothing worn; reasons for decision to leave army on early retirement; explanation of army early retirement policy; search for civilian employment. REEL 65 Continues: obtaining employment as management trainee with Midland Red Bus Company, 1957; arrival of new AQMG; lunchtimes at War Office; end of Saturday morning work; visits to Field Marshal Ironside on leave; changes in family circumstances; attitude to leaving army; preference of general staff work; question of prospects of command; uneventful nature of last year at War Office, 1958-1959; leaving army, 4/1959. Aspects of period as trainee manager with Midland Red Bus Company in Birmingham, GB, 1959-1960: readjusting to civilian life; pattern of training; start of express service to London; process of dealing with defaulting drivers; experience of driving double decker bus around Birmingham. REEL 66 Continues: working to area manager. Aspects of period as Assistant General Manager with Maidstone and District Motor Company in GB, 1960-1962: move to company; atmosphere in company; nature of work. Aspects of period as manager with Channel Air Bridge Company at Southend Airport, 1962-1963: obtaining employment with company, 4/1962; impressions of company on arrival at Southend; nature of business using Bristol Freighters; his initiation of procedures; recruitment of air hostesses; introduction of Carvair aircraft; visit by Freddie Laker; benefits of army training in dealing with staff; nature of bonded warehouse. Aspects of period as sales manager with British United Air Ferries in London, GB, 1963-1967: working with Freddie Laker; character of Freddie Laker; Freddie Laker's subsequent activities. REEL 67 Continues: flying with Freddie Laker; work as passenger sales manager; apologetic letters to aggrievated passengers; duties as sales service manager; nature of work as Inter-Line Sales Manager; dealing with US carriers; opinion of American business methods and outlook; dealing with reduced rate travel deals. Recollections of period as sales manager with British Caledonian Airways in GB, 1967: take over of British United Air Ferries by Caledonian Airways; companies taking over additional routes from British Airways; contrast between scheduled and charter flights; managing Interline business; agreements on 'pro-rates'; starting 'round the world' tickets; company contracts with Ministry of Defence; character of Scottish management; setting up department to attract first class, executive class and child passengers; promotional activities. REEL 68 Continues: transporting ships' crews; effects of oil crisis in 1974 and his subsequent redundancy; period of unemployment; circumstances of wife's shooting in Los Angeles; lack of vacancies in airline business after oil crisis, 1974; invitation to return as sales training manager to British Caledonian Airways, 1976; organisation of training courses; return to Interline services; expansion of duties into Asia and Middle East; closure of Interline department, 1983; better terms on second redundancy, 1984; work for general sales agent for Philippine Airlines in London after leaving British Caledonian Airways; character of his employer; value of military service to working in civil life.