Wood, Kenneth Martin (Oral history)

British officer served with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1938-1939

REEL 1 Background in GB, 1913-1938: family; brother's service in Durham Light Infantry; area grew up in; education including long term illness; decision to become an architect; time at Architectural College; reaction of parents to chosen profession; leisure activities; political involvement; attendance at church; time with boy scouts; annual holidays; father's service in army and as POW Camp commandant; visits to father's POW Camp; civilian work; involvement with 9th Battalion before joining; reasons for joining Territorial Army; process of joining unit. Aspects of period as officer with 9th Bn Durham Light Infantry in GB, 1938-1940: training with Regimental Sergeant Major Biff Wilson; official joining of battalion; date of commission; further details of training; pace of drill; medical upon joining; discipline; background of troops; posting in C Company 13 Platoon in Felling; opinion of troops; memories of Private Adgar. REEL 2 Continues: uniform allowance; buying of uniform and equipment including details of items bought; differences between uniform of 9th Battalion and other 151 Brigade battalions; wearing of puttees; boots worn; duties as 2nd Lieutenant; details of fieldcraft training; bren guns in battalion; frequency of drill nights; knowledge of approaching war; reactions of parents to situation; make-up of a platoon including weapons; make-up of company headquarters; memories of company commanders Clifton Oxley and Alex Ritchey; memories of Cuthbert Ridley; make-up of battalion; memories of senior officers in battalion; organisation of officers mess; description of Gateshead drill hall; details of adjutant officer and regiment sergeant major; activities during weekend camps; issue of gas masks; gas mask drill. REEL 3 Continues: details of route marches including items carried; opinion of .45 revolver; course fired at Whitburn; safety standards; cleaning of rifle; zeroing of weapons; opinion of pre-war training; physical training and sports; digging of weapons pits; opinions of bren gun; knowledge required of bren gun; transport and preparation of bren ammunition; roles of members in bren gun section; transport of bren gun; discussion of training with supporting arms; arrival of and training with carriers; opinion of carriers; start of motorised training; learning and teaching of regiment history; civilian attitude toward Territorial Army; communications; qualities looked for in troops to be promoted; opinion of company's readiness; brother in Royal Northumberland Fusiliers; outbreak of war.