Description
Object description
British NCO served with 14th Maintenance Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps in GB, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and North West Europe, 1940-1946
Content description
REEL 1 Recollections of background in St Andrews, 1915-1940: family background and social circumstances; education; sports and recreations; Boys Brigade activities; work as shop assistant; reactions to outbreak of war, 3/9/1939; father's poultry business; question of German air raids; background to passing medical and call up. Basic training with Royal Army Ordnance Corps at Portsmouth, 1940: prior intelligence tests; kitting out; barrack accommodation; fights between Scottish and English recruits; morning routine; drill; PT; weapons training and close escape from hand grenade accident. REEL 2 Continues: ordnance training. Various aspects of service with 14th Maintenance Unit, Royal Army Ordnance Corps in GB, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and North West Europe, 1940-1946: role dealing with ammunition dumps; move to Nottinghamshire; testing ammunition; move to Corsham Camp; ammunition markings; story of lights going out during visit to underground depot in Boxhill area; voyage in convoy to Algiers, 1942; prior promotion to sergeant, ca 1941; story of ammunition lorry being caught in air raid in London, ca 1941; role supplying munitions from ammunition dumps; food rations; move to Sicily, 7/1943; role supplying fuel; operations in Italy, 1943; cholera problem on move to Naples; return to GB, 1943; promotion to staff sergeant; drinking habits; training in Southampton area; Channel crossing in Landing Ship Tank, 6/6/1944. REEL 3 Continues: Channel crossing in Landing Ship Tank and landing on beach in Normandy, France, 6/6/1944; role as ordnance base detachment; German air raids; story of nearly crossing German front line; relationship with French and Italian civilians; lorries; advance into Germany; VE Day, 8/5/1945; period in Germany; role guarding German POW Camp, Fellingbostel; German working parties. Demobilisation, 1946.