Description
Object description
British private and NCO served with 10th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt in GB, Iraq and Italy, 1940-1944; NCO served with Royal Corps of Signals in Italy, 1944-1946
Content description
REEL 1 Background in Eton and Lewisham, GB, 1915-1939: birth at Eton College; work of father; moves of family around Eton; education; civilian work in Eton, Lewisham and Windsor; further details of education including story of reprimand for hitting sister; leisure activities; details of Eton and the college including involvement with Church Lads Brigade and continuing visits to events at Eton College; details of Sainsbury's training and work including description of shops in Lewisham; civilian work in Windsor and Eton; awareness of events in Europe during 1930s; service of brother in Royal Navy. Aspects of journey from Gourock, GB, to Basra, Iraq, 1942: population of ship; return of soldier to Britain on arrival in tropics; ship in convoy sunk; stop in Cape Town; kit issued in Bombay; description of Narailia; voyage to Iraq. Aspects of period as NCO with 10th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt in Iraq, 1942-1943: journey to Kirkuk; thefts from camp during first night; area around camp and accommodation; digging-in of tent and promotion to lance corporal.
REEL 2 Continues: climate; role of unit; memories of commanding officer; later disbandment of battalion; vehicle issued on joining Royal Corps of Signals; relationship with colleagues and extra rations gained; work in run-up to Christmas at Sainsbury's; war service of brothers. Aspects of period as private with 10th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt in GB, 1940-1942: period posted in Hook including invasion scare; coastal defence duties on south coast; accommodation at Saunton Sands; joining of signals; ease of settling into army; memories of parents including discipline; memories of childhood; learning of Morse code; change to verbal communication; wireless repairs; listening to music; story of invasion scare; story of hairy soldier; opinion of senior NCOs.
REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of journey from Gourock, GB, to Basra, Iraq, 1942: route taken to Bombay; physical training; story of being forced to vomit; first meal during voyage; arrival in Freetown; sleeping on deck; sock darning lessons; contact with nurses onboard. Aspects of period as NCO with 10th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt in Middle East, 1943: story of rainstorm during journey from Iraq to Egypt; gambling and subsequent drinking; invasion training. Aspects of operations as NCO with 10th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt in Italy, 1943-1944: opposition on arrival in Sicily and loss of signals sergeant; problem with leg; hospitalisation on Malta; Naval service of brother; relationship with civilians; story of accident; period with Italian workers on mainland and reunion with battalion; contact with brother in Egypt and details of his service in Royal Air Force; position set-up on Garigliano; preference for running errands on own; story of signallers mortared while laying lines; details of nebelwerfer fire.
REEL 4 Continues: story of ceasefire; losses in Italy; opinion of senior officers; memories of Colonel Baird; repairing of lines; opinion of service; opinion and memories of senior NCO; memories of Lance Corporal Len Hunt; civilian work after war; German shelling of Anzio; details of journalists; leave in Egypt; disbandment of battalion. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Corps of Signals in Italy, 1944-1946: driving duties; story of repairs made to water tank; comradeship; advance north to Po; crossing of River Po; advance to Trieste; leave in Venice; accommodation in Pula; sports; story of soldier denied leave; journey home on leave; hospitalisation in Milan; details of pay; prices in Three Tuns pub in Eton; childhood paper round; process of demobilisation; marriage and death of wife.
REEL 5 Continues: mail; home leave; community; story of massacre in Italy; attitude to Germans; story of young German POWs.
