Chapman, Gareth (Oral history)

British private served with 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in GB, Iraq and Helmand Province, Afghanistan, 2003-2007

REEL 1 Background in Barking in GB, 1987-2003: reasons for joining army; family; education. Aspects of enlistment and training with British Army, 2003: process of selection; attractions of joining Parachute Regt; start of Phase 1 training at Bassingbourne; keeping accommodation clean; familiarisation with rifle; pattern of training; weapons training in Phase 2; character of Phase 2 training; throwing hand grenade; change in relations with instructors; preparations for passing out parade. Aspects of period as private with Royal Anglian Regt in GB, 2003-2005: arrival at battalion and allocation to A Coy; relations with platoon members and importance of seniority; start of training; section attacks; defensive positions. REEL 2 Continues: attending Tes-Ex exercises; exercises to test Bowman radio system; opinion of Saxon armoured vehicle. Aspects of period as private with 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in Iraq, 2005:degree of time given to prepare for tour of Iraq; knowledge of situation in Iraq; briefings and code of conduct; rules of engagement; issue of kit including Camelbak; advice on operating in hot weather conditions; description of body armour worn; deployment to Basra Palace; opinion of accommodation and rations at Basra Palace; opinion of Rumanian guards; role of unit in Basra area; vehicle patrols; opinion of Snatch Landrover; threats to vehicle patrols; foot patrols; relations with civilians; opinion of Iraqi Police; dealing with local civilians. REEL 3 Continues: medical reasons for return to GB early; attitude to service in Iraq. Aspects of period as private with 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in GB, 2005-2007: recuperation for injury; rumours of deployment to Afghanistan; awareness of Parachute Regiments role in Afghanistan; physical preparations for deployment; briefings for deployment; intensive training; degree of knowledge of situation in Afghanistan; issue of Osprey Body Armour; water carried; reasons for not going to Kenya for familiarisation training; rules of engagement. Recollections of operations as private with A Coy, 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in Afghanistan, 2007: flight from GB to Afghanistan; move to Camp Bastion and briefings; role as 51 mortar man; deployment of companies; move to Now Zad; patrol into Taliban held territory; description of attack on company patrol by Taliban on patrol from Now Zad. REEL 4 Continues: collecting high explosive bomb from secure location; aftermath of operation and reaction to hearing of death of Private Christopher Gray; return to Camp Bastion; description of countryside; question of how there is little to do to prepare for first contact; reaction to first contact; proposed objective of Operation Silicon; travelling in Vikings; dealing with initial contacts in Sangrin Valley during Operation Silicon; reaction to return of civilian population to homes; success of Operation Silicon in removing Taliban from areas of Sangrin Valley; description of fire-fight with Taliban during Operation Silicon; character of Taliban fighters; physical state after operations; return to Now Zad; description of sangars and rota worked; dealing with casualties from mining of Viking during Operation Lastay Kulang. REEL 5 Continues: incident of vehicle turning over during night operation; duties and conditions in Sangrin base; reaction to conditions, lack of supplies and personal kit at Sangrin base; question of effects of change in rotation; physical condition on return to Camp Bastion; question of reasons for two week rest and recreation period; reaction to hearing of death of Private Tony Wilson in public house; return to Afghanistan; work in stores at Camp Bastion; effects of service in Afghanistan.