Gates, Stan (Oral history)

British private served with 1st Bn, Gordon Highlanders in North Africa, Sicily, GB and North West Europe, 1943-1944; served with 2nd Bn, GH in North West Europe, 1944-1945

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Finchley, London, 1925-1939: father's military service, 1914-1918; family background and social circumstances; education and OTC training at Christ College School; outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; question lack of German air raids; effects of war on education; OTC training on predictor with anti-aircraft unit; fire watching training with Barnet Home Guard, 1941-1942; background to recruitment to Gordon Highlanders at Edgware Drill Hall, 1942. Aspects of period at Gordon Highlander Depot, Brig O'Don Barracks, Aberdeen, 1942-1943: reception and kitting out; nature of basic training; survival course in mountains; weapons training; relationship with ORs and pride in unit; relationship with instructors. REEL 2 Continues: issue of kilt worn without underwear. Posting to 2/14th Bn, London Regt at Chichester, 1943. Period with Demonstration Platoon, 47th Div Battle School in New Forest and Guisborough, 1943: evasion exercise; close escape on accidentally firing 2" mortar. Aspects of operations with A Coy, 1st Bn, GH in North Africa, Sicily, GB and France, 1943-1944: voyage out with draft to Tunisia; first impressions on joining unit at Sfax; action at Enfidaville terrain and climate; landing at Escoville, Sicily, 7/1943; situation; return to GB, 1943; period training at Long Melford; move to Gays; crossing Channel, 5/6/1944-6/6/1944; problems transferring from Landing Craft Tank to Landing Craft Infantry; landing in 3rd wave at Gold Beach, 6/6/1944, including effect of piper, German fire, personal morale and running to dune; advance to Caen area; minor shrapnel head wound and treatment in field hospital. Recollections of operations with C Coy, 2nd Bn, GH in France, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany, 1944-1945: reactions to posting; capture of bridge over River Odon, 7/1944. REEL 3 Continues: withdrawal; story of failed attempt to cross River Seine in inflatable boats, 8/1944; stories of close escapes from German mortar, machine gun and 88mm gun fire; travelling on tanks of Guards Armoured Div during advance into Belgium, 8/1944-9/1944; reception form Belgian civilians; crossing Albert and Escaut Canals; personal morale; story of bridgehead at Aart, Netherlands; comparison of Spandau and Bren guns; situation during advance to Eindhoven, 9/1944; story of abortive attack on German anti-tank guns at Best brickyard, 25/9/1944, including casualties, firing Bren gun, support from Typhoons and withdrawal; advance to Nijmagen; story of being wounded in foot during fighting at Nijmagen, 9/1944; evacuation to Brussels hospital; convalescence; personal morale; rejoining unit in Reichswald Forest, Germany; personal morale; actions to clear Rhine west bank; barrage prior to Rhine crossing in Buffalos, 3/1945; weakening of German resistance; story of being hit by panzerfaust during advance on tank of GAD along autobahn. REEL 4 Continues: advance to Lubeck, 4/1945; reactions to VE Day at Travemunde, 8/5/1945; issue of kilts and role guarding international demarcation line with Soviet troops; non-fraternisation with German civilians. Return to GB, 1945: period at Larkhill; reaction to transfer of unit as glider troops to 6th Airborne Div for service in Far East. Period in Tripoli, Libya, 1945-1947: internal security role; company deployments; cases of Arabs attacking sentries; visits to Roman ruins; pipe and drum display. Period at Duddington Camp, Edinburgh, 1947: ceremonial guard duties; acting as guard of honour for royal family; demobilisation, 11/1947. Post-war career: question of remaining as regular; career as building surveyor; effects of war service; story of poisoned well water affecting gums, 1944; membership of Gordon Highlanders Assoc and British Legion.