Orme, Allan (Oral history)

British private served with Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) Depot in GB, 1939-1940; private and NCO served with 2/5th Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in GB, France, Belgium and North Africa, 1940-1943; POW in Italy and Germany, 1943-1945; NCO served in GB, 1945-1946

REEL 1 Background in Belper, GB, 1919-1939: family; education and civilian work; effects of 1926 General Strike; details of civilian work including leisure activities; medical and call-up; belief war would be quick; attempt to join navy; friends in Territorial Army; reason for not joining; reason for not joining police; memories of British Union of Fascists; reflections on Munich Agreement. Aspects of period as private with Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) Depot in GB, 1939-1940: posting at Derby Barracks; issue of kit; evening activities; reaction to call-up; outbreak of war; military service of father-in-law; rations including issue of meals; background of recruits; issue of kit and problem with boots; rifle and bayonet training; reveille; memories of NCOs; troops having problems with drill; accommodation and sleeping arrangements; kit inspections; taking to discipline; weapons training at Eggington Hall; posting at Market Harborough; inoculations; story of train journey to Derby and march to Kedleston Hall; visit home; opinion of NCOs. REEL 2 Continues: events on 21st Birthday; route marches; work during winter in Birmingham; weapons training including firing at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham; training to dig trenches; details of pay; leisure activities; knowledge of regiment; boxing; length and summary of basic training; standard of turnout; knowledge of war; contact with officers; joining of 2/5th Battalion and journey to France; equipment and weapons taken to France. Aspects of operations as private with 2/5th Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in France, 1940: NCOs and officers in unit; reaction to posting abroad; impressions of France; accommodation. REEL 3 Continues: posting in Rennes; German invasion; state of Tournai on arrival; fire faced from Germans; activities in Tournai; activity of civilians; anti-aircraft duties and training received in Rennes; morale; warnings about 5th Columnists; news of German breakthrough and journey to Tournai; ammunition issued; rifle training; action against German advance; help received from civilians; wait for dark and return to battalion; fire faced from Germans; weapons carried; reaction to seeing German troops; period guarding bridge with Sergeant Cresswick and scenes of refugees; arrival of Germans and subsequent action; air activity; rations; orders for withdrawal from bridge; details of journey to Dunkirk including contact with civilians and Guards; morale; arrival in Dunkirk and news of battalion's departure. REEL 4 Continues: scenes on roads outside Dunkirk; story of rations found; contact with refugees; Guards protecting Dunkirk; air activity; reiteration of receiving news of battalion's departure; walks into sea for evacuation and waits on beach for boat; search for rations on promenade and alcohol found; length of time on beach and sleeping arrangements; decision to try mole; near miss of bomb during walk along mole; boarding of boat; fresh bread issued on boat; discipline on beach; reactions during time on beach; morale; scenes on seafront; reaction to evacuation; equipment taken back to GB; opinion that not trained soldiers; impressions of German, British and French troops; voyage across English Channel. Aspects of period as private and NCO with 2/5th Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in GB, 6/1940- 12/1942: reception on arrival in Dover; postcard sent home; parent's knowledge of events; train journey to Salisbury Plain; period in camp; reunion with battalion at Belle Vue; population of camp; period at Belle Vue including accommodation and rations; mail; casualties in France; organisation of unit; daily routine; visit from girlfriend; evening activities. REEL 5 Continues: relationship with civilians; posting in Haddington; accommodation; troops returned from France; pattern of training; details of Blacker Bombard; weather and night in bivouac; story of seasickness during coastal defence training exercise and subsequent recovery; re-equipping of unit; interview about loss of rifle; story of court martial and jailing of Sergeant Cresswick; story of escorting Sergeant Cresswick to jail; reason for court martial and Sergeant Cresswick's journey to Dunkirk; opinion and memories of officers in unit; memories of Sergeant Major Reynolds; make- up of battalion; company and platoon postings; promotion to lance corporal and reaction; role of NCOs. REEL 6 Continues: marriage; change of accommodation; details of wife; promotion to corporal; performance in battalion competitions; discipline; equipment situation; lessons learned in France and changes after return; learning to map read; communications; transport and carrier platoon; bren carrier accident; contact with supporting units; exercises; state of battalion; posting in Norfolk; journey south; accommodation at East Dereham; arrival and memories of Regiment Sergeant Major "Tara" Hennessy including during course at Bisley; sports details of schemes. REEL 7 Continues: promotion to sergeant; details of sergeants' mess; posting in Caister-on-Sea; details of coastal defence duties; memories of Privates Phillips and Wall; schemes in Norfolk; training of Home Guard; memories of fellow sergeants; details of sergeants' mess; relationship with civilians; story of pheasant captured on route march; items sent home; songs sung on route march; age of sergeants and officers; more on coastal defence duties; visits to Norwich including contact with other units; details of pay; reinforcements; memories of troops receiving promotions. REEL 8 Continues: opinion of what made a good NCO; socialising with private soldiers; barrels in Norfolk Broads; journey to Kent; posting in Cheriton; activities in area; story of wounding during a scheme and treatment received; leave; story of accident during scheme in Lewes; opinion of training; postings in Kent; hop picking season; Canadian troops in area; shelling of Folkestone; defences on coast; air activity; friends in unit; meeting with Corporal Cresswick; spread of battalion; details of small arms course attended at Bisley. REEL 9 Continues: discipline of Regiment Sergeant Major "Tara" Hennessy; weapons in battalion; transport of brne and Boyes; opinion of Boyes anti-tank gun; communications during schemes including throat microphones; gas course attended at Tregantle Fort; activities in Folkestone; changes made by General Montgomery; memories of Gerald Summers; reinforcements; length of time in Folkestone area; posting in Hawkhurst; route marches; rumours ad knowledge of posting abroad; embarkation leave; reaction of wife to posting abroad; frequency of leave; code to let wife know where he was posted; posting in Camberley; inspection from King George VI; train journey to Liverpool; boarding of ship. Aspects of journey from Liverpool, GB, to Algiers, Algeria, aboard the SS Derbyshire, 12/1942-1/1943: embarkation; rations on first day. REEL 10 Continues: morale; route planned and diversion; passing through Straits of Gibraltar; arrival in Algiers; experienced troops in unit; talking about experiences in France; changes he believed were required following previous actions; rations and seasickness; duties; sleeping arrangements; activities and lectures; rations; air activity; scenes of convoy. Aspects of operations as NCO with 2/5th Bn Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regt (Sherwood Foresters) in North Africa, 1/1943-3/1943: arrival in Algiers; march out of city and impressions of Algiers; arrival and accommodation in Maison Carre; fruit available; leisure activities; route marches; morale; weather; train journey to Sedjenane; march to positions after night in Sedjenane; arrival in frontline and relief of previous unit; digging of slit trenches and first night; scenes around positions; description of reconnaissance patrol and problems on return. REEL 11 Continues: disappearance of Lieutenant Meacham; contact with other companies; briefing before patrol; shelling and mortaring from Germans including reaction; numbers of patrols taken out; memories of Lieutenant Meacham; method of lighting slit trenches; story of Private Bulliman's accident with light; further memories and opinion of Lieutenant Meacham; absence of maps; washing facilities; officers in company; debriefing after first patrol; communications on first and second patrol; details of second reconnaissance patrol including preparations; story of shelling during a church service; stories of third and fourth patrols; description of German patrol seen; awareness of surrounding British units. REEL 12 Continues: position of anti-tank weapons; mail; rations; opinion of rations; smoking in frontline; activities during day; inspections and health of troops including contact with senior NCOs; story of air raid while at Battalion Headquarters; air raid precautions; other air activity witnessed; knowledge of Royal Artillery presence; state after period in line; frequency of German shelling; coping with shelling; casualties; move out of frontline and news of German breakthrough; truck journey to Beja and return; orders to dig in at Sedjenane; position taken on top of hill and situation; sighting of German troops and orders given to troops; weapons within unit; wait watching Germans; first shot fired and subsequent firing; withdrawal for ammunition; return to find troops taken POW; troops present and joined with; bayonet charge led by Captain Curly; cover taken from German fire. REEL 13 Continues: plan to find battalion; capture; march away and gathering of POWs; treatment of wounded; talk with Captain Curly during battle; details of bayonet charge; unit members captured. Aspects of period as POW in transit through North Africa, 3/1943: reaction to be taken POW; impressions of German troops including equipment and weapons carried; equipment carried by Orme; reflections on battle; reaction to close range fighting; period at Enfidaville; separation of officers; interrogation; impression of interrogating officer; opinion of treatment; handover to Italians and confiscation of personal items; ring hidden; POWs buying water from guards; rations; voyage to Sicily including problems with lice and meeting of Sergeant Bill Wainwright in Bizerte; reactions of POWs to battle. Aspects of period as POW in Italy, 3/1943-9/1943: condition of wounded POWs; later arrival of wounded POWs; medical staff in battalion; morale; disembarkation and journey through Palermo; opinion of reason for reception from civilians. REEL 14 Continues: organisation among POWs during voyage; truck journey to PG 98; description of camp and accommodation; welcome from POWs already in camp; background of POWs; friends in camp; formation of working parties; memories of camp commandant including cut received from whip; treatment received from Indian doctor; story of second reprimand from camp commandant; opinion of treatment from Italian guards; period in solitary confinement; rations; roll call; daily routine in PG 98; story of Tommy Cosgrave's escape plan and attempt with Gerald Summers; return following capture and punishment; accommodation; issue of rations; story of dog eaten for dinner; memories of Gerald Summers. REEL 15 Continues: conditions in sickbay; postcards sent home; period he was reported missing; news of Britain's capture of Lampedusa; journey to mainland Italy; arrival in PG 66 at Capua; description of camp; rations including issue of rations and work chopping wood for cookhouse; accommodation; senior NCO in camp and discipline; punishment for thieves; Arab POWs; water supply; details of sickbay; further details of Arab POWs; Indian POWs; division and contents of Red Cross parcels; parcels received by American POWs; period before first parcel was received and reaction; bartering with guards; memories of camp commandant; description of blowers and clock made from tins; stories of escapes from camp including camp song; air raid; news of war gained from radio. REEL 16 Continues: mail including parcels sent by wife; relationship with Australian POW Alec Ball; memories of Australian POWs; bartering with guards; gambling; activities in camp; length of time in PG 66; frequency of Red Cross parcels; story of condensed milk and guard; interview with camp commandant about wedding ring; possibility of reporting guards; start of evacuation from camp; separation from officers; relationship with fellow POWs; punishment given to thieves; journey to Bologna including story of meal made by Abyssinian POWs and reception from civilians; items taken to PG 73 and clothing situation; conditions during train journey. REEL 17 Continues: arrival in PG 73; rations in first days; news of Italian capitulation; departure of Italian guards; orders from senior NCO; arrival of Germans; POWs able to travel south; temptation to join working parties; organisation and impressions of German guards; chaining before boarding of train; removal of chains; treatment from guards and rations during journey; population of each cattle truck; air activity. Aspects of period as POW in Germany, 9/1943-5/1945: arrival at Stalag XVIII AZ in Spittal; food gained from Russian POWs; POWs on train; organisation of camp; treatment of Russian POWs; sharing of Red Cross parcels; use of tea leaves; delays to mail; compounds in camp; clothing situation compared with RAF POWs; bartering with guards; food situation for Russian POWs; news gained from radio; accommodation and sleeping arrangements; relationship with Australian POWs; promise signed by POWs leaving camp. REEL 18 Continues: story of visit out of camp with guard and egg stolen; reaction to being out of camp; scenes in countryside; contact with civilians and camp officials; roll call; supply of rations; bartering with Russian POWs; processing on arrival at Stalag XVIII AZ; washing facilities; time in choir including story of concert; books available; activities in camp; removal of tooth; church services; details of officer posing as a corporal; details of tunnel dug from hut including searches of hut; discovery and filling of tunnel; organisation of escapes by officer; story of escape attempt from Italy; help given to corporal to avoid working party; American and Canadian POWs arriving in camp; loss of contact with regiment; Christmas 1943. REEL 19 Continues: more on help given to corporal to avoid working party; news of Allied success in Italy; details of journey to Thorn including items taken, air activity and treatment from guards; morale and reactions to situation; arrival at Stalag XX A; reunion with Company Sergeant Major Reynolds; latrines; population of camp; issue of rations; alcohol made by American POWs and its effects; defences around camp; stoppage of Red Cross parcels; issues of beetroot; beer bought and contact with Americans; contents of different Red Cross parcels; wire happy POWs; news of war including D-Day and Russian advance; journey into Germany. REEL 20 Continues: arrival in Stalag 357; German troops on train; organisation of camp; issue of Red Cross parcels; rations; trick played on guard when bartering with cocoa; involvement with concert parties and part in play; ice hockey in American compound; discipline; location of camp; air activity; Christmas 1944; confiscation of paliasses; relationship with guards; news of Battle of the Bulge and Arnhem; preparations for march away from camp; routine of march; scenes during march; final night of march; announcement of handover to Allied troops; disappearance of guards. Aspects of period following liberation in German and GB, 5/1945-9/1945: arrival of British soldier. REEL 21 Continues: visit to local lake; scavenging from farm; organisation of guards during march; helping tired troops; rations issued by British Army; activities during period on airfield; Douglas Dakota flight to GB; coping with sudden availability of food; reception on arrival in GB; journey home and reception on arrival; visit from Red Cross and extra rations issued; details of medical in Nottingham; reflections on war; rations. Aspect of period as NCO in GB, 9/1945-2/1946: posting to Marston Mortin; troops placed under charge and orders given; journey to site; reception on arrival in canteen and troops detailed to help in it; duties; background of troops; rations from canteen and weekend leaves; story of problems with officers in Derby; meals; discipline; posting to Woodhall Spa; story of son's birth and leave to meet him; extra leave gained to look after wife; return to camp. REEL 22 Continues: story of guard duty given on return; details of demobilisation groups; demobilisation in York; memories of Tommy Doherty; collection and details of demob suit from Burton. Aspects of period as civilian in GB from 1946: physical state; medals; army uniform kept; reasons for not returning to old job; civilian work; buying of house; work gained to pay mortgage; details of army pay; back pay received after liberation; attendance at memorial services and reunions; contact with old comrades; talk among veterans about Sedjenane; details of 9 Platoon roll found at Sedjenane. REEL 23 Continues: sergeant's use of platoon roll; duties as sergeant; lasting effects of war.