Description
Object description
British NCO served with 1/9th (Highlanders) Bn Royal Scots (Lothian Regt) on Western Front, 1915-1918; POW in Germany, 1918
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of training with 1/9th (Highlanders) Bn Royal Scots (Lothian Regt) in GB, 8/1914-27/Feb/1915: mobilized on outbreak of war, 4/Aug/1914; posted to barracks in Edinburgh; description of basic training in King's Park; opinion of adequacy of training; entrained from Edinburgh to Victoria Station, London, 23/Feb/1915; sailed from Southampton to Le Havre, France, 27/Feb/1915. Aspects of operations with A Coy, 1/9th (Highlanders) Bn Royal Scots (Lothian Regt) on Western Front, 2/1915-3/1918: story of British prisoners assisting with disembarkation; moved into line at Dickebusch; description of sleeping in field on first night; reaction to being under shellfire for first time; patrol duties with Gurkhas; description of trenches at St. Eloi; reaction to death of friend Jockie Jackson; story of Sgt Robinson being killed by sniper; description of gas attack at St. Julien, 22/Apr/1915; use of wire cutters attached to rifle; effects of gas and treatment of casualties; duties with covering party; problem of falling asleep on duty; story of soldier's rifle being blown into air by shell; casualties in 1/9th Bn; description of charge by Indian cavalry; attitude to award of medals; story about two stretcher bearers rescuing wounded artillerymen; description of advancing in artillery and infantry formation on the Somme, 7/1916; story of seeing graves already dug for casualties; description of going over the top at High Wood; casualties; story of Christmas dinner at Fricourt, 12/1916; nature of fighting on Somme; opinion of officers and strategy.
REEL 2 Continues: description of attack at High Wood and attitude to heavy casualties, 22-23/Jul/1916; opinion of Douglas Haig and Sir John French; psychological effects of war experiences; description of mine explosion; memories of CSM David Anderson; story of being wounded and temporarily losing eyesight during attack at Vimy Ridge; further comments on action at High Wood; description of duties with burial party; story of burying soldier from Sussex Regt named John Bull; opinion of Jimmy Ferguson; story of killing German at Ypres; description of operations to capture 'Y' ravine at Beaumont-Hamel; story of taking German prisoners during trench raid; attitude to bayonet fighting; opinion of Germans; description of firing telescopic rifle through loop-hole; story about kindly German cook at POW camp.
REEL 3 Continues: story of meeting with German engineers on railway line; story of being taken prisoner at St Quentin, 3/1918; description of conditions in German dressing station; opinion of treatment by Germans; amusing story of kicking German who tried to lift kilt; put into barbed wire cage and exchanged valuables for bread; billets and food; weather conditions; contracted double pneumonia and pleurisy; story of refusing to work moving rails; description of journey in cattle trucks to Minden and hostile reception from German civilians on arrival; problem of being sick after eating macaroni; taken to POW camp at Stendal on River Elbe. Aspects of period as POW in Stendal camp, Germany, 3-11/1918: description of camp and accommodation; prisoner number; medical examination by Gordon Highlander officer; description of medical treatment and diet; reaction to being taken prisoner. Further aspects of operations on Western Front, 1915-1918: description of attack at Glencorse Wood, Ypres; reaction to death of friend Jimmy Russell; story of badly wounded soldier being shot by fellow soldier.
REEL 4 Continues; casualties; duties as Medical Officer's batman; problem of refugees on road; description of French Colonial troops dying from gas. [New interviewer]. Aspects of period in GB, 1912-1914: pre-war military service with Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders; story of joining 1/9th (Highlanders) Bn Royal Scots (Lothian Regt), 5/1913; description of voyage aboard SS Inventor from Southampton to Le Havre, France, 23/Feb/1915. Aspects of operations with A Coy, 1/9th (Highlanders) Bn Royal Scots (Lothian Regt) on Western Front, 2/1915-3/1918: repetition of previous material about disembarkation and first night; story of being given unclaimed parcels from dead soldiers; patrol duties with Gurkhas; description of Cloth Hall in Ypres; story of Belgian children singing 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary'; story of Canadian officer on horseback delivering news of German breakthrough, 4/1915; description of artillery bombardment of Ypres; story of losing job as Sgt-Maj. Ferguson's batman after discarding sandbag of personal belongings; description of civilians and soldiers lying on road after gas attack; moved to St Julien sector; duties as Medical Officer's batman; effects of gas on Canadian soldiers; description of attack at St Julien and casualties; crossed over River Steenbeke; further comments on use of gas and casualties; attitude to Germans; story of German machine gun and crew being captured at farmhouse.
REEL 5 Continues: problem of officer borrowing entrenching tool; memories of Sgt David McGill; description of operations at Potijze Wood; repetition of story about two stretcher bearers; story of D Coy cook suffering from shell shock; description of Catholic convent opposite Essex Farm; story about friend Alec Wright's narrow escape; description of trenches and positions at Hooge Chateau; opinion of Canadian troops; baths and laundry facilities; question of wearing pants under kilt; attitude to marching; further description of attack at St Julien; story about Ingersoll watch; repetition of story about death of Jimmy Russell; attitude to death and religious beliefs; opinion of officers; importance of comradeship; further description of patrol duties with Gurkhas; attitude to danger; description of gas attack at Sanctuary Wood, 4/1915; use of cloth soaked in urine as gas mask; effects of gas on health after war.
REEL 6 Continues: further comments on effects of gas; opinion of 1st Bn Royal Scots; repetition of story about death of Jockie Jackson.