Description
Object description
British private served with 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in GB and Northern Ireland, 1994-1999; NCO served with Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in GB, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, Kabul, Afghanistan and Iraq, 1999-2007; served with Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt during Operation Herrick VI in Helmand, Afghanistan, 4/2007-10/2007
Content description
REEL 1 Background in GB, 1975-1994: family; education; early interest in British Army. Aspects of enlistment and training with Royal Anglian Regt in GB, 1994: pattern of training; nature of training; weapons training. Recollections of period as private with 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in GB and Northern Ireland, 1994-1999: joining battalion; method of enplaning onto Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter; situation in Northern Ireland; method of patrolling in Northern Ireland; nature of operations in Northern Ireland; accommodation in Royal Ulster Constabulary station; air mobile training on return to GB; adjusting to army life; training for deployment to Croatia; move of battalion to join 49th Infantry Bde; battalion ties to East Anglia; deployment to Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1996; patrolling in urban areas; use of APV Land Rover and threats to topcover; Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) staging of incidents; relations with local civilians.
REEL 2 Continues: story of being blown out of APV Land Rover by improvised rocket on roundabout in Belfast, Northern Ireland; drive-by shooting at Royal Ulster Constabulary station; equipment carried on foot patrols; problems with climbing railings and walls; method of urban patrolling and degree of knowledge of West Belfast, Northern Ireland; accommodation; return to GB. Aspects of operations as NCO with Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in Londonderry, Northern Ireland and GB, 1999-2002: situation in Northern Ireland; close observation role; role aiding Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) and civil power; different areas of Londonderry, Northern Ireland; social relations; move to Pirbright Camp, GB; description and opinion of Saxon Armoured Personnel Carrier. Aspects of operations as NCO with Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in Kabul, Afghanistan, 2002: briefings prior to deployment; role of battalion; conditions in Kabul.
REEL 3 Continues: discovery with arms caches; attitude of Afghans towards armaments; degree of trustworthiness of Afghan forces; role as commanding officer's driver and wireless operator; accommodation and facilities at Camp Suter; threat of mines; duration of tour and climatic conditions; off duty activities; uniform worn and equipment carried; visibility from observation post. Aspects of period as NCO with 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in GB, 2002-2005: role commanding fire tender during fireman's strike; amusing stories of dealing with car and chimney fires; end of strike; attitude of troops to prospect of going to war. Recollections of period as NCO with 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in Iraq, 2005: situation on deployment; nature of searches.
REEL 4 Continues: opinion of Iraqi Police; hearts of minds role; relations with civilians; vehicle and foot patrols; nature of information gleaned from civilians; threats from Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)s; nature of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)s; opinion of 'Snatch' Land Rovers; operating with American forces; duration of tour. Aspects of period as NCO with Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt in GB, 2005-2007: return to Pirbright Camp; degree of knowledge of situation in Afghanistan; briefings from 3rd Bn Parachute Regt; pattern of training for Operation Herrick VI; rules of engagement for Afghanistan deployment.
REEL 5 Continues: characteristics of FV107 Scimitar and conditions for crew; exercises prior to deployment; embarkation leave; experienced character of Reconnaissance Platoon personnel. Recollections of operations as NCO with Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Bn Royal Anglian Regt during Operation Herrick VI in Helmand, Afghanistan, 4/2007-10/2007: flight to Afghanistan; working regime; preparing FV107 Scimitar for operational use and stowage of equipment; water supply; acclimatisation to climatic conditions; problems of flies; mechanical problems with FV107 Scimitar at start of reconnaissance mission prior to Operation Silicon; supporting staff for vehicles; reconnaissance mission prior to Operation Silicon; opening fire on Taliban positions at Gereshk; description of engagement with Taliban.
REEL 6 Continues: reaction to number of Taliban encountered during Operation Silicon; firing on Taliban Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) teams; night firing on Taliban; removal of Taliban dead; tactics and appearance of Taliban fighters; description of Green Zone; escorting convoys; supporting Dutch forces; skill of Taliban mortar teams; role during Operation Lastay Kulung, 30/5/2007-14/6/2007; wounding of member of Reconnaissance Platoon; nature of engagement; character of Chinese 107mm Rockets used by Taliban; return to Camp Bastion; participation in Operation Gasi Gar; location of Forward Operating Bases (FOB)s; operating near Kajaki; amusing story of American firing near bathing platoon members.
REEL 7 Continues: move to desert area near Forward Operating Base Inkerman; air drop of food and water; reaction to engagements near end of tour; effects of shell burst near FV107 Scimitar; returning fire from ramparts of Forward Operating Base Inkerman; return to Camp Bastion; stripping vehicles down and duties with casualty evacuation helicopter teams; reaction to end of tour and return to GB, 10/2007; question of civilian attitude to returning troops; attitude to participation in Afghanistan tour.
