Description
Object description
British civilian in France and GB, 1940-1945
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, Belgium and France, 1920-1940: family and memories of childhood in Manchester area; story of hearing about parents' divorce and initial period with mother; story of move to France with father, 1929; period in Belgium including visits to First World War cemeteries and battlefields; reactions to situation including knowledge of problems between parents; health; education including learning of foreign languages; details of court case occurring in father's absence and move to south of France; work of father and his attempts to move family back to GB; details of St-Laurent- de-Var; story of first journey to St-Laurent-de-Var; early education; friends made at school.
REEL 2 Continues: education in Nice; relationship with friends including future members of French Resistance; importance of St- Laurent-de-Var; father's investments in Germany including IG Farben; reason for frequent visits to Germany after 1933; impressions of Germany including relationship with Ilsa Kunne and signs of anti-Semitism; details of sister's visit to Italy; further details of education; story of 1937 North Atlantic cruise including reasons for change in impression of Germany; details of return voyage to France aboard the Bergenland.
REEL 3 Continues: story of SS men on German-French border, 1933; French attitudes to Germany and Italy; changes following outbreak of war; education at Le Ecole Descartes in Nice; outbreak of war with Italy; air raids in Nice; visit to British dentist; disappearance of teachers; story of hearing about French armistice and reactions; return to St-Laurent-de-Var; preparations for evacuation. Aspects of journey from St-Laurent-de-Var, France, to GB, 1940: drive to Cannes including passes through road blocks; scenes at port; story of visit to friends; accommodation aboard SS Ashcrest; stop at Marseilles; rations; entertainments; washing facilities; latrines; breakdown of ship; story of gunfire exchange.
REEL 4 Continues: arrival at Gibraltar; help gained from civilians; disembarkation from SS Ashcrest and transfer to HMT Dunera; help received from sailor including sleeping arrangements; supply of meals; troops onboard; details of ship's movement and convoy; air activity; scenes on approach to Liverpool; final evening on ship; story of talk with soldiers. Aspects of period as civilian in GB, 1940- 1945: train journey to Cheadle; accommodation; civilian work with Ministry of Labour in Manchester including relationship with colleagues; interview with Ministry of Aircraft Production; details of job; pattern of training; description of work as examiner including relationship with male workers.
REEL 5 Continues: further details of war for Ministry of Aircraft Production; experience of air raids; question of using French during war; leisure activities; contact with French troops; application to attend university; comparison of French and British education in 1930s-1940s; end of war. Aspects of period as civilian in GB from 1945: return visit to St- Laurent-de-Var, 1949, and reception from old friends; involvement of friends with French Resistance including Georges Foata, Raoul Curet and Jean-Philippe Sneyers; Allied air raids on St-Laurent-de-Var; continued contact with French school friends.
REEL 6 Continues: story of Polish school friend; disappearance of Jewish school friend, Helen Levy; story of bee-keeper, Mr Widgery, who stayed in France during war; escape of Boyd family from France; later contact with Boyds and Italian POWs in Peterborough; medal awarded by French friends; reflections on experiences of friends in St-Laurent-de-Var; discussion of patriotism and war.