Description
Object description
British officer served with Royal Artillery in GB, 1940-1946
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Muswell Hill, GB, 1914-1940: education and membership of Officer Training Corps and Officer Cadet Reserve; joining of army. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Artillery in GB, 1940- 1946: details of two periods posted in Plymouth; course attended in Llandudno; posting and duties in Tynemouth; details of period in War Office; posting to Dover; make-up of forces at Dover Castle; duties; story of German ship sunk in English Channel; story of final shell fired at Dover; posting in West Kent until demobilisation. Background in Muswell Hill, GB, 1914-1940: membership of London University Officer Training Corps; visits to Germany, 1930s; story of wife and her experiences during war including own knowledge of German; story of German civilians met during tour of Black Forest; awareness of approaching war.
REEL 2 Continues: post-war stories of using German language including at Checkpoint Charlie; reactions to defeat in France; reaction to outbreak of war; opinion of war's causes; parents' reaction to call-up; death of brother; experiences of wife during war; opinion of luck in not being posted abroad; reflections on war service. Aspects of period as officer with Royal Artillery in GB, 1940-1946: pattern of training; details of gunnery course attended including coastal defences in Britain; fitness; story of cross country race; discipline; reflections on fall of Singapore and German Naval power; discussion of Britain in 20th Century; opinion of armed services.
REEL 3 Continues: principles of gunnery including in relation to firing across English Channel; types of ammunition; details of the sinking of HMS Hood and the Bismarck; question of accuracy expected; use and opinion of radar at Dover; ranging of guns; story of Canadian gunners; duties during an invasion scare; opinion of chances against an invasion; accommodation at Plymouth; sleeping arrangements; supply of meals; visits to Plymouth; work as interpreter for French troops evacuated in 1940; contact with wife; scenes of air raids on Plymouth; rations; civilian work after war; details of posting at Tynemouth; area on coast covered by unit; opinion of period as staff officer in War Office; details of pay; duties; later problems from having worked in War Office.
REEL 4 Continues: reflections on time at War Office; air activity at Dover including V1s; work of anti-aircraft batteries in area; opinion of German guns across English Channel; relationship with Royal Air Force and Royal Navy; activities within operations room; story of Scharnhorst passing through English Channel; anti-aircraft batteries in area; leave; knowledge of war including press reports of brother; confidence in Allied victory; wait for demobilisation after war; discussion of American and Russian war effort; relationship with Auxiliary Territorial Service members.
REEL 5 Continues: reaction to German surrender; posting to West Kent Sub-District; memories of Brigadier Nigel Somerset; injures suffered during service; story of school teacher; opinion of Winston Churchill; reflections on Britain in 20th Century.