Rossney, Harold Herbert “Harry” (Oral history)

German Jewish civilian worked in Kitchener Camp, Richborough, GB, 1939-1940; private and NCO served with Pioneer Corps in GB and North West Europe, 1940-1946

REEL 1 Background in Koenigsberg and Berlin, Germany, 1919-1939: history of Koenigsburg; details of parents including problems from hyperinflation; opinion of help gained from childhood experiences; description of period in Jewish orphanage including education and train journey to Berlin; experience of anti-Semitism at school; contact with and support from Jewish community; reasons for desire to become teacher; early interest in art; memories of father; life in Berlin; education in socialist school and civilian work including experiences of and reactions to anti- Semitism. REEL 2 Continues: attempts to leave Germany for Palestine; civilian work; interview with Gestapo; receiving of call-up up papers for Wehrmacht; background to gaining work in Britain; fate of cousins in Stalingrad; awareness of approaching war in Germany and Britain; description of life in Berlin; changes following Nazi Party's gaining of power; reactions to anti-Semitism witnessed; story of night with Hitler Youth en route to Jewish Scout Camp; effect of Nazi propaganda; discussion of non-Jewish civilian resistance to Nazi government; discussion of German spirit in 1920s and 1930s. REEL 3 Continues: memories of aunt. Aspects of period as civilian in Kitchener Camp, Richborough, GB, 1939- 1940: first impressions of Britain; restrictions on life; work with Sandwich Fire Brigade; details of Pioneer Corps; work undertaken at Kitchener Camp in Richborough; details of tradesmen and British Army representatives at camp; contact with civilians; details of visa and pay; opinion of rations; reactions to outbreak of war and on joining army. Aspects of period as private and NCO with Pioneer Corps in GB and North West Europe, 1940- 1946: relationship with British troops and civilians; reason for not joining Paratroopers; volunteering for active service; morale and accommodation in Ilfracombe and Westward Ho!; coastal defence duties and story of being mistaken for a fifth columnist; story of posting to stores; description of camp. REEL 4 Continues: discipline; pattern of training including ease at settling into army life; fear of German invasion; forms signed before service abroad; service of unit abroad; scenes of graves in Normandy; story of identifying a body; formation of Quarter Master's Store in Ilfracombe; duties in stores; reaction on posting to 32 Graves Registration Unit in France; reception on arrival; make-up of unit including own role and leisure activities; contact with civilians; question of gaining a more active role; story of contact with German POWs outside Caen; morale and cleanliness; ration shortages; details of final year in army. Aspects of period as civilian in GB from 1946: civilian work. REEL 5 Continues: gaining of citizenship; changing of name in 1942; attendance at college in Germany while in army; relationship with civilians; further details of civilian work in Berlin, late 1930s; details of family living in Germany during and after war; visits to Germany for work; reading of own poems.