Description
Object description
British officer served with 6 Assault Sqdn Royal Marines aboard HMS Intrepid in Mediterranean, 1980-1982 and during Falklands War, 1982; served as intelligence officer with 42 Commando and company commander with 45 Commando Royal Marines in Northern Ireland, 1984 and 1990-1991; served with 45 Commando Royal Marines in Northern Iraq, 1991; served as staff officer to Chief of Staff HQ Royal Marines and Military Assistant with Rapid Reaction Force Operations Staff in Bosnia, 1995; served as Deputy Chief of Staff, HQ 3 Commando Bde Royal Marines in Kosovo, 2000-2001; served as Commanding Officer, Commando Logistics Regt Royal Marines in Afghanistan, 2002 and Iraq, 2003; served as Assistant Chief of Staff J1 J4, PJHQ, Northwood, GB, 2004-2006; served as Director, Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements in Defence Equipment and Support in GB, 2006-2008
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of training with Royal Marines in Poole, GB, 9/1979-2/1980: description of landing craft course; opinion of training; description of HMS Intrepid and HMS Fearless; role of assault landing ships; story of being appointed Second-in- Command, 6 Assault Sqdn Royal Marines, 2/1980. Aspects of period as Second-in- Command, 6 Assault Sqdn Royal Marines aboard HMS Intrepid, 2/1980-4/1982: description of exercises in Mediterranean; crew; opinion of seaworthiness of HMS Intrepid; role and duties; problem of seasickness; marriage.
REEL 2 Continues: effect of review by John Nott on role of amphibious ships with Royal Navy; reason for maintaining assault ships; story of decommissioning of HMS Intrepid, 1982; reaction to outbreak of war with Argentina over Falkland Islands, 4/1982; refitting of HMS Intrepid for war role; training; watch keeping role of HMS Intrepid; embarkation from Plymouth, 22/Apr/1982; description of voyage to Falklands; training aboard ship; question of crew being prepared for battle conditions; opinion of condition of HMS Intrepid. Recollections of operations as Second-in- Command, 6 Assault Sqdn Royal Marines aboard HMS Intrepid during Falklands War, 4-7/1982: experiences at Ascension Island; problem of obtaining reliable information; description of further training; story of hearing news of sinking of Argentine cruiser Belgrano and attack on HMS Sheffield on BBC World Service.
REEL 3 Continues: further description of training including action stations drill; preparations for combat; refuelling; attitude to Argentines; problem of seasickness; false alarms; communication with family; description of landing troops from 3rd Bn Parachute Regt at San Carlos, 21/5/1982; story of helicopter accident involving SAS troops; planning and briefing sessions; role in landings and attitude to remaining aboard ship; weather conditions; description of vessels in San Carlos Bay; problem of Argentine air attacks and remaining at action stations all day; attitude to fear; description of sinking of HMS Ardent and HMS Antelope; visit to Green Beach; memories of Colonel H Jones; story of SAS patrol; unexploded Argentine bombs; story of landing Scots Guards and Welsh Guards at Fitzroy and problems with landing craft; success of early landings; story of Harrier landing on deck of Intrepid; description of minesweeping exercise in Teal Inlet.
REEL 4 Continues: casualties; reaction to news of Argentine surrender, 6/1982; description of berth in San Carlos Water; story of taking surrender at Fox Bay and collecting weapons from Argentine forces; outbreak of dysentery; description of visits to various settlements on Falklands; visit to Port Stanley. Aspects of voyage aboard HMS Intrepid to GB, 7/1982: memory of crossing Equator; collection of mail at Ascension Island; disembarkation in Plymouth. Reflections on Falklands War: adjustment to normal daily life; effects of war on Royal Navy and Royal Marines; attitude to war; effect of war on wife; comparison of relations between Royal Navy and Royal Marines and media; role of journalists during war; story of return to Falkland Islands, 2005.
REEL 5 Continues: Recollection of operations as intelligence officer with 42 Commando Royal Marines in Northern Ireland, 6-11/1984: description of Operation Banner in South Armagh area; question of security being transferred from military to police; opinion of Royal Ulster Constabulary; attitude to deployment of British forces in Northern Ireland; question of mutual respect between IRA and British Army; description of role as intelligence officer; operational conditions in South Armagh area; description of HQ at Bessbrook; reason for Protestant composition of RUC; description of patrols; use of radio links and secret technology; methods used by IRA to gather intelligence on British forces.
REEL 6 Continues: further comments on operational conditions in South Armagh; preference for direct contact with IRA to dealing with booby-traps; co-operation with other intelligence agencies and special forces; opinion of reliability of intelligence; comparison of Operation Banner with role of RUC; communication with Brigade HQ; computer links; description of role with Joint Intelligence Committee; reflections on first tour of duty in Northern Ireland.
REEL 7 Continues: story of being appointed Rifle Coy Commander with 45 Commando Royal Marines, 5/1990. Recollections of operations as officer with 45 Commando Royal Marines in Northern Ireland, 10/1990-3/1991: posted to South Armagh area; reorganisation of structure; building of towers for information gathering; description of base in Newton Hamilton and town; pre-tour training and tactics; composition of unit under command; role of helicopters in deploying troops and supplies; description of security base and operations room; daily routine and duties; description of helicopter landing area at base; description of patrols and equipment; story of soldiers killing and seriously wounding IRA members; outcome of incident and punishment of soldiers involved.
REEL 8 Continues: role in dealing with aftermath of incident including funeral; story of three Royal Marines badly injured in explosion; story of premonition; operational conditions during second half of tour; attitude to role in command; story of being awarded GOC Northern Ireland Commendation.
REEL 9 Continues: duties as commanding officer; question of sharing intelligence with troops; relations with local civilians; attitude to role of British Army in Northern Ireland; comparison of operational methods of British and US troops in urban areas; reason for Royal Marines being predominately white; opinion of Fijian troops; media situation in Northern Ireland; attitude to Loyalist paramilitaries in South Armagh.
REEL 10: reaction to outbreak of Gulf War, 1991; story of being posted to Iraq while on leave; problem of reconstituting unit for tour; preparations and journey to Iraq via Turkey. Recollections of operations as officer with 45 Commando Royal Marines in Northern Iraq, 4-7/1991: arrival in Salopi and setting up HQ in abandoned school; weather conditions and clothing; issue of desert camouflage clothing; daily routine and duties as part of US and Dutch coalition force; description of operation to secure area in Zakho for returning Kurds; comparison of operational situation with Northern Ireland; problem of minefield in Zakho.
REEL 11 Continues: setting up base in Zakho; description of town; role of Iraqi police; problem with supply of vehicles and lack of kit; relative lack of destruction in Zakho; relations with media including interviews with Robert Fox; description of forward deployment; opinion of communication facilities with home; description of plan to secure area for Kurds; description of base in churchyard; story of giving Bible reading in Coptic Christian church; role of helicopters; description of destroyed villages and crops; return of refugees from mountains publicised by media; sightings of Iraqi troops over border; rations; attitude to visiting VIPs; co-operation with local guerrilla factions; morale in Rifle Company; opinion of treatment of refugees by aid agencies; story of return to GB via Cyprus, 7/1991; attitude to role as company commander in operational areas; opinion of success of operations in Northern Iraq; situation of Kurds; comments on cultural factors in area.
REEL 12 Continues: Recollections of operations as staff officer to Chief of Staff HQ Royal Marines and Military Assistant with Rapid Reaction Force Operations Staff in Bosnia, 7-12/1995: description of situation in Bosnia; visits to Bosnia in 1992 and 1994; factions involved in conflict; humanitarian situation; problem of long communication lines; description of transport routes and weather conditions; examples of ethnic cleansing; setting up HQ for Operation Hamden; opinion of air strikes on Serbs; attitude of General Rupert Smith to Serbs; opinion of effectiveness of safe havens; description of Rapid Reaction Force and equipment; role of HQ Royal Marines; speed of deployment of forces; setting up of joint French, British and Dutch HQ at Kiseljek; relations with French; question of tensions within British forces; problem of delays at road blocks and checkpoints into Sarajevo; opinion of French checkpoints; helicopter transport.
REEL 13: opinion of livings conditions in UN HQ in Zagreb; reaction to mortar attack on market place in Markale; description of destruction in Sarajevo; further comments on transport routes; attitude of General Smith to UN hostages; movement of UN artillery to Mount Ingman and other areas; comparison of effectiveness of artillery and air strikes; opinion of NATO's Freedom of Movement policy; story of British brigade in Plotje; daily routine and duties at Rapid Reaction Force HQ; working hours; ongoing work of Dayton; attitude to ethnic cleansing; effect of Croat attacks on Serbs in Krajina; comparison of Sarajevo with remote villages; communications with home. REEL 14 Continues: summary of events in 11/1995 and Dayton talks; problem of snow and mud on roads; story of visit to Mostar; living conditions for EU staff in hotel; left Bosnia on arrival of IFOR; opinion of success of UNPROFOR in Bosnia; widespread nature of atrocities; opinion of effectiveness of arms embargo on Bosnian Muslims; story of arms drop in unmarked field in Tuzla; attitude of US to Bosnian Muslims; relations with media; reaction to massacre at Srebrenica; further comments on bombing of Markale market place; posted to Kosovo, 8/2000.
REEL 15 Continues: Recollections of operations as Deputy Chief of Staff, HQ 3 Commando Bde Royal Marines during Operation Agricola 4 in Kosovo, 8/2000-2/2001: description of training prior to arrival in Kosovo; role of Royal Marines dealing with vehicles and equipment; integration between Army and Royal Marines; structure of British sector in Kosovo; multinational nature of operation; description of French, US, German, Italian and British sectors; opinion of Scandinavian contingent in British unit; description of roles with logistics, personnel and medical matters; opinion of accommodation in camp; joint training exercises between Army and Royal Marines; problem of long communication lines; relations between Greeks and Macedonians; opinion of NATO KFOR organisation; problem of dealing with R and R; role of UN protecting Serb civilians.
RREL 16 Continues: opinion of efficiency of KFOR HQ; medical services; description of US camp 'Bondsteel'; daily routine and duties as Deputy Chief of Staff; situation in Kosovo on arrival; comparison of Albanian Kosovars and Serbs; story of Serb civilians on bus; attitude to policy of confining troops to camp; co-operation with Kosovan police; role of RUC as trainers; comparison of working with indigenous military and police forces; problem of dealing with KLA; attitude to duplication and wastage among multi-national forces; reflections on Kosovan experience.
REEL 17 Continues: story of French supplying fuel; description of ammunition dump near Kosovo airport; opinion of accuracy of NATO bombing; reason for British troops preferring to wear berets; problem of mines and cluster bombs; opinion of NGOs in Kosovo; story of being awarded MBE; use of ration system for issue of medals and awards; leave; promotion to colonel; increase in criminal activities in Kosovo; prostitution.
REEL 18: story of problem with Russians in Pristina; attitude to Russians during Cold War period; reaction to events of 9/11.
REEL 19 Continues: Recollections of operations as Commanding Officer, Commando Logistics Regt Royal Marines during Operation Jacana in Afghanistan, 6-8/2002: description of preparations for deployment; tasks and units; expansion of medical units; strategic situation; supply system; sailed to Oman; flown by Hercules to Bagram; description of airfield at Bagram; minefields; political and military situation in Afghanistan; attitude to role of Taliban; opinion of Afghans; multi-national task force of US, British, Australian and Canadian troops; question of engagement with al-Qaeda forces; attitude to Brigade Staff; build-up of medical facilities and helicopters; first deployment of Logistics Regt, 6/2002; opinion of US forces.
REEL 20 Continues: role of Logistics Regt; daily routine at Bagram airbase; problem of C17's landing due to condition of runway; description of passenger arrival via Kabul and road to Bagram; purpose of Operation Jacana; reconstruction of Bagram; description of tented accommodation for British troops; conferences; preparations for draw-down process; opinion of success of Operation Jacana; terrain; kit and equipment; maintenance of vehicles; use of helicopters; links between Taliban and al-Qaeda; problem of identifying enemy; relations with media; television and radio interviews; opinion of Afghanistan landscape; comparison of situations in Afghanistan and Iraq; question of 'hearts and minds' policy during Operation Jacana.
REEL 21 Continues: post-tour leave; role in preparation of amphibious task force, 10-11/2002; story of being informed of deployment to Iraq, Christmas 2002. Recollections of operations as Commanding Officer, Commando Logistics Regt Royal Marines during Operation Telic in Iraq, 1-5/2003: preparations for Operation Telic; strategic planning; deployed with small team to Iraq late January, 2003; description of team and base in Kuwait desert; number of US troops in area; tented camps; expansion of medical facilities and personnel; description of kit and rations; morale in unit; competition for resources; description of Camp Gibraltar; opinion of anti-war movement in GB and effect on troops and families; attitude to military build-up during diplomatic negotiations.
REEL 22 Continues: description of move from administration area to jump-off point in desert; living conditions in desert; reason for not taking prescribed pills; attitude to Gulf War Syndrome; working relationship with embedded Times journalist David Sharrick; attitude to briefing journalists and censorship of reports; description of start of war; memory of Scud missiles; attitude to wearing NCB suit and false alarms; reaction to death of eight marines in helicopter crash; reconnaissance of situation for forward troops in Iraq and reaction of superior officers; question of keeping troops in rear areas occupied; problem of lack of kit and secrecy of mission; opinion of desert boots; attitude to finding WMD; description of base at Az-Zubayr; living conditions; opinion of food; communication with home; returned to GB, 5/2003; reflections on experiences during Operation Telic.
REEL 23 Continues: Aspects of period in GB, 5/2003-4/2004: description of six-month period of light duties; attended for one term at Royal College of Defence Studies, 1-4/2004; opinion of course and other students. Aspects of period as Assistant Chief of Staff J1 J4, PJHQ, Northwood, GB, 4/2004-2/2006: promoted to rank of brigadier; priority of operations in Afghanistan; description of role and duties at Northwood; attitude to joint operations. Aspects of period as Director, Defence Supply Chain Operations and Movements in Defence Equipment and Support in GB, 2/2006-3/2008: description of role and duties; areas covered; use of containers in liners; special precautions for dangerous cargo; problems in supplying forces in Helmand, Afghanistan; system of delivery including shipping, ferries and civilian aircraft; attitude to criticism of equipment shortages in Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts; issue of protection for troops and vehicles; changing nature of conflict in Afghanistan; current system of protection for troops; question of insurgents from Iraq fighting in Afghanistan.
REEL 24 Continues: opinion of Taliban; question of economic and political solution to conflict in Afghanistan; description of medical facilities and staff in Helmand; system of treatment; use of helicopters; reason for selection of Bastion as hub of medical system; opinion of treatment of wounded during Falklands War; attitude to treatment of wounded in military and civilian hospitals; continuing operations in Iraq and draw-down process; planning for withdrawal of troops and equipment to home base; role of women in war zones; nature of Royal Marines training and high attrition rate; attitude to female service personnel; opinion of quality of Royal Marines recruits; improvements in accommodation; increased combat experience; comparison of service in Northern Ireland and Afghanistan; current manning levels in Royal Marines.
REEL 25 Continues: identity and culture of Royal Marines; relations between Royal Marines, Royal Navy and Army; question of doubt over survival of Royal Marines during 1960s and 1970s; importance of role of Royal Marines during Falklands War; attitude to conscientious objectors; story of marine deemed unreliable for active service; further comments on anti-war movement in GB; question of criticism being directed against government not military; comparison of attitudes to military in GB and US; attitude to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and diagnosis; description of 'decompression' process for Royal Marines returning from conflict zones; treatment of reservists; question of new Cold War developing.
REEL 26 Continues: Further recollections of operations as Second-in-Command, 6 Assault Sqdn Royal Marines aboard HMS Intrepid during Falklands War, 4-7/1982: description of planning for San Carlos landings; co-operation of maritime and land staffs during planning; role of HMS Fearless in accommodating planning staffs; role of Brigadier Julian Thompson; role in organisation aboard HMS Intrepid; problem of ship being loaded to capacity; comparison of conditions aboard Canberra and Intrepid.