Description
Object description
British private served with Seaforth Highlanders Depot in GB, 1943; served with 1st Bn Highland Light Infantry in GB and North West Europe, 1943-1944
Content description
REEL 1 Background in London, GB, 1924-1943: reason for not joining Royal Air Force; summary of training with various units in Scotland; reason for interest in Royal Air Force; awareness of events in Europe in late 1930s; interests while growing up including attendance at Hendon Air Displays; reflections on flying ambition and opinion of Bomber Command; air raids; reasons for joining-up; reasons for not wanting to join army; call-up to army; train journey to Inverness; role as reinforcement. Aspects of period as private with Seaforth Highlanders Depot and 1st Bn Highland Light Infantry in GB, 1943-1944: reactions to posting and opinion of training; details of Fort George; reception on arrival; pattern of training including discipline; passing out parade and tests; opinion of training; rations; exercises in Kent with Highland Light Infantry including accidents; supplements to rations; standard of turnout; humour among troops; morale.
REEL 2 Continues: story of voyage to Normandy. Aspects of operations as private with 1st Bn Highland Light Infantry in North West Europe, 1944: casualties; scenes on landing; activities in Bayeux and Caen; fear of minenwerfer; description of slit trenches; reflections on campaign; contents of rations packs; methods of heating food; water supply; problems with wildlife; contents of two day ration packs; supply of rations; rest periods; humour among troops; shelter taken from mortars; story of a mortar attack; shellshock among troops; bombing of Caen; story of looted items; age of troops; traditions of regiment; common scenes and smells; health; water supplies and cider; attitude to Germans; activities of German snipers; retaliation against snipers; British treatment of POWs; use of ammunition; opinion of anti-tank fire; opinion of tanks.
REEL 3 Continues: details of contact patrols; story of attempt to kill sniper; story of being run over by tank during training; comparison of German and British weapons; German trenches; scenes of dead animals; story of shelling received on a start line; details of subsequent attack; stories of soldiers served with; contents of first aid kit carried and emergency rations; cleanliness; rest periods and tiredness; description of action at Hill 112; subsequent scenes of flamethrower victims and reactions; attempts of troops to escape; experiences with mines in training and action; story of attendance at plane wreck; story of chicken meal.
REEL 4 Continues: opinion of NCOs and officers; airfield captured near Caen; further details of voyage to Normandy; opinion of officers; discussion of Normandy campaign; contact with American troops; activity behind German lines; details of different types of patrols; relationship with civilians; proximity to German troops; passing through deserted villages; details of radio sets used; entertainments; attempts of troops to escape; reception from civilians; alcohol; health and problems with flies; latrines; hospitalisation with typhus; story of fellow patient during flight to Britain; air activity in France and during wait for voyage to Normandy. Aspects of period as private with Seaforth Highlanders Depot and 1st Bn Highland Light Infantry in GB, 1943-1944: march from Sittingbourne to coast before invasion; equipment carried; care of feet; standard of turnout.
REEL 5 Continues: details of uniform and equipment issued; transport of equipment; weapons carried; opinion of uniform; cleaning equipment and uniform; further details of equipment issued including care of uniform and personal items; problems with collar; opinion of Royal Air Force uniform; wearing of own shoes; polishing of boots; shaving; searches for parachutists in Kent; details of route marches; description of battle course attended; gas precaution training; stories of attacks from Scottish colleagues; opinion of Scottish troops; relationship with civilians and American troops; reflections on war service; experience of air raids.
REEL 6 Continues: reactions to being away from unit after wounding including contact with comrades after war; discussion of war including own service and lasting effects of war; discussion of modern life and politics.
