Description
Object description
British NCO served as fitter with Royal Air Force in GB, Algeria and Aden, 1942-1947
Content description
REEL 1 Background in London and Surrey, GB, 1924-1942: work of father and moves of family; education including evacuation to Reigate; accommodation and hosts in Reigate including arrival of troops from Dunkirk; return to Catford; civilian work including opinion of education; leisure activities; memories of childhood in Ealing; changes in Catford during lifetime; work of mother; awareness of events in Europe, late 1930s; concerns during war; father's service during First World War and problems gaining pension; parents reaction to his joining services; process of joining Royal Air Force including medical. Aspects of period as aircraftman with Royal Air Force in GB, 1942-1943: posting to RAF Cardington; reasons for joining and details of period with Air Training Corps, 1941-1942; following progress of war; confidence in victory; kit issued at RAF Cardington; physical training at Skegness.
REEL 2 Continues: pattern of training; memories of drill instructor; settling into military life; posting to RAF Cosford; training with Rolls-Royce Kestrel engines; leisure activities; train journeys between Cosford and Catford for weekend leave; health and work of father; length of posting at RAF Cosford; leave and posting to Morecambe; accommodation; briefings; atmosphere in Morecambe; leisure activities including visits to amusement arcades and method of cheating; relationship with civilians; story of visit to Blackpool including rations; voyage to Algiers. Aspects of period as aircraftman and NCO with Royal Air Force in Algeria, 1943-1945: period in transit camp; latrines; washing facilities; daily routine; description of work in cookhouse.
REEL 3 Continues: bromide in tea; details of brothels in Algiers; rations available; supply of meals; further details of work in cookhouse; story of sleeping late; attempt to gain posting away from camp; details of posting at Maison Carre; description of camp; sleeping arrangements; washing facilities; coping with rain; visits to Algiers including contact with civilians; posting to and details of Maison Blanche; duties assembling trucks; story of illicit truck; relationship with American troops and civilians.
REEL 4 Continues: workload; competitions in truck assembly; visits to the Malcolm Club; clothing worn; coping with climate; health including visit to dentist; details of mail sent and received; description and use of truck packing cases; news of war; cigarette ration; items made by POWs; morale of POWs and troops; story of complaint made about rations; opinion of rations; problems with wildlife; memories of driver; story of lighting at Maison Blanche; music played in camp; entertainments; reveille; journeys to work; story of repairs made to Alfa Romeo truck; period around Algiers.
REEL 5 Continues: background of mechanics at Algiers; details of period in workshops including tests; Douglas Dakota flight to GB; sleeping arrangements at Maison Blanche; news of D-Day. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Air Force in GB, 1945-1946: arrival in GB; period and duties at Lord's Cricket Ground; question of change in GB; damage caused to underground; story of stolen coal; learning to drive; relationship with civilians; details of journey to Aden via France and Egypt. Aspects of period as NCO with Royal Air Force in Aden, 1946-1947: arrival at Steamer Point; accommodation; civilian workers in camp including dhobi and problems with missing socks; coping with climate.
REEL 6 Continues: water rations; duties and working day; leisure activities and scenes around Aden; relationship with civilians; responsibilities as NCO; fitter training undertaken in London; duties; stories of accidents in workshop; details and opinion of posting; visits to shops; state of petrol tankers and closure of airfield; promotion to corporal; reasons for not staying in RAF; leisure activities; problems with bedbugs; rainfall; leave in Asmara, Eritrea.
REEL 7 Continues: details of Aden; leisure activities; story of wait for demobilisation including refusal to work and letter written to MP; conditions during return voyage to GB; posting to unit and refusal to work; demobilisation and leave; civilian work; 1945 General Election; reflections on politics; attitude to Germany and service; reflections on Second World War.