Description
Object description
British private and NCO served with Auxiliary Territorial Service in GB, 1942; officer cadet served with Officer Cadet Training Unit in GB, 1942-1943; officer served with Y Signals Auxiliary Territorial Service in GB, 1943-1946
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Stonehaven, GB, 1922-1942: movement of family; education including joining of Auxiliary Territorial Service and awareness of events in Europe; attendance at Aberdeen University including air activities; thoughts about future; joining of Auxiliary Territorial Service at Cameron Barracks in Inverness including medical inspection. Aspects of period as private with Auxiliary Territorial Service in GB, 1942: issue of uniform; details of camp; morning procedures; departure of Cameron Highlanders from camp; segregation in camp; results of tests; promotion and posting to Dalkeith; duties de-lousing recruits from Glasgow; impressions and background of recruits; posting to Windsor; activities with orchestra in Edinburgh; story of article written for camp magazine; dances in NAAFI; leave.
REEL 2 Continues: story of returning recruit to Wick. Aspects of period as officer cadet with Officer Cadet Training Unit in GB, 1942-1943: relationship with civilians including Christmas 1942; accommodation; system of sending children from Glasgow to Scottish farms and memories of Alice Bruce, Housekeeper at Windsor Castle; story of not saluting King and Queen; impressions of Royal Family from visits to camp cinema; story of having tea at Windsor Castle with two dukes; hospitalisation with jaundice; Alice Bruce's story of King Edward VIII's abdication speech and her memories of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson; memories of abdication and subsequent events.
REEL 3 Continues: details of Windsor Castle and its inhabitants during war; pattern of training; posting to Strathpeffer for signals course; memories of roommates; learning of Morse; story of bicycle ride across Scotland including contact with Canadian foresters; item bought from local Women's Institute shop; posting to Quorn. Aspects of period as officer with Y Signals Auxiliary Territorial Unit in GB, 1943-1945: accommodation; impressions of colleagues; memories of Reverend Pilling; story of reprimand for not reporting an American soldier; activities on arrival of American Paratroopers; behaviour and standard of turnout of Americans including pregnancies in unit; role of unit; reason for posting in Woodhouse; description of Y Signals offices; duties and daily routine.
REEL 4 Continues: problems with shifts and visit from psychologists; methods of improving morale including story of flight in plane; activities in role as Group Army Education Officer; messages passed on to Bletchley Park; advice given at end of war; story of watching film made at Bergen-Belsen at Shenley; husband's work at Bergen-Belsen; story of lecture on pigeons at 10 Downing Street; pride in work; posting to Army School of Education, 1945-1946; impressions of Far East POWs; backgrounds of students; marriage; demobilisation; work gained; expectations for life following war; homes; reactions at outbreak of war and following Dunkirk; atmosphere during hospitalisation on D-Day.
REEL 5 Continues: story of offer of posting in Middle East; later use of war experiences by Auxiliary Territorial Service members; attitude towards Germany; impressions of Exeter; reflections on war service; plan for hiding in case of German invasion; morale.