Leach, Harry (Oral history)

British signalman served with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 5th Parachute Bde in GB, North West Europe and Far East, 1942-1947; NCO served with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 5th Parachute Bde in Middle East, 1947

REEL 1 Background in Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, GB, 1924-1942: education; father's service in First World War and civilian work; bullying at school; civilian work; reason for not joining Royal Air Force; story of joining army; journey to Catterick. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals including attachment to 5th Parachute Bde in GB, 10/1942-6/1944: opinion of NCO instructors; first night in army; settling into army life; accommodation; pattern of basic and signals training; hospitalisation; story of return to training; memories of Signalman Frank Guy-Gibbons; leisure activities; posting to Hardwick Hall; training undertaken; details of parachute training at Ringway; story of flight to Normandy including gaining of position in craft; landing in Normandy, 6/6/1944; exercises; rank and role; story of lightning striking telephone exchange; details of kit carried including process of parachuting with it; question of German air activity during exercises; weapon carried; period in camp before D-Day; involvement with rugby team. REEL 2 Continues: further details of period in camp before D-Day; swimming in Thames; reactions to approaching action including help from senior NCOs; journey to RAF Fairford; prayers and hymn before flight; noise of aircraft; death of padre; details of flight to Normandy; prior briefings and relief from Pegasus Bridge; scenes during flight over France; jump and landing. Aspects of operations as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 5th Parachute Bde in North West Europe, 6/1944-8/1944: later return to landing site; events after landing including gaining directions from civilians; journey to Ranville including landing of gliders and opposition faced; casualties; setting-up of headquarters; story of mother's vision; equipment situation; details of defence platoon; fire faced; places posted in France; story of trip out with brigadier to Pont-l'Eveque including later friendship with German POWs; memories of Brigadier Nigel Poett; rations gained from civilians; details of slit trenches and signals office; knowledge of wider war; treatment and evacuation of casualties; story of call made to 225 Para Field Ambulance; repairing of lines; story of accidental connection to German exchange; objectives on D-Day. REEL 3 Continues: return journey to Bulford. Aspects of period as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 5th Parachute Bde in GB, 8/1944-12/1944: reactions on return to barrack room; training of reinforcements; details of wireless sets; reaction on return to GB; unit casualties in Normandy; re-equipment; leave and mail; training of reinforcements; opinion of and relationship with US airborne forces; activities during Operation Market Garden; story of later visit to Arnhem, 1948; events over Christmas 1944. Aspects of operations as signalman with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 5th Parachute Bde in North West Europe, 12/1944-5/1945: climate including story of air attack in Ardennes and duties; help gained from Royal Artillery and civilians; story of visit from Maquis; period in Ardennes; rest period; return to GB; briefing for Rhine crossing; journey to airfield and boarding of Douglas Dakotas; talk with aircrew; description of flight and parachute drop; march to section including evacuation of wounded; casualties. REEL 4 Continues: advance across Germany to Wismar; accommodation; contact with Russian troops; return journey to GB; issue of demobilisation number; changes to unit; journey to Bombay; plan for invasion of Singapore; dropping of atomic bombs. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Corps of Signals attached to 5th Parachute Bde in Far East and Royal Artillery in Middle East, 1945- 1947: posting and accommodation in Singapore; role and postings on Java; relationship with civilians; posting to Malaya; coping with climate; story of arrival of train; details of journey to Palestine; attachment to 53rd Light Airborne Regiment Royal Artillery; role within unit; reception of Jewish immigrants in Haifa docks including visit onboard a ship; course undertaken in Cairo; story of calming bolted horse; period in Port Said; details of return voyage to GB; demobilisation. Aspects of period as civilian in GB from 1947: civilian work and education; reflections on war service; story refusing officer training.