Description
Object description
British marine trained with Royal Marines Depot, Lympstone and Royal Marine Commando School, Bickleigh in GB, 4/1955-9/1955; served with 45 Commando, Royal Marines in Cyprus, Malta and during Suez landings at Port Said, Egypt, 9/1955-2/1957
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in Croydon, GB, 1933-1955: family; German air raids; collecting bullets and debris; use of improvised air raid shelter under dining table; rationing; opinion of whale meat; start of bread rationing, 1946; build up of troops during preparations for Normandy landings, 1944; sight of large bomber formation flying overhead; listening to big bands on radio; awareness of progress of war; VE Day celebrations, 8/5/1945; attitude to defeat of Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1945 General Election; hobbies; education, 1945-1950; sporting activities; studying chartered accountancy. Aspects of enlistment with Royal Marines in GB, 4/1955: attitude to National Service; medical examination; reason for choice of Royal Marines. Aspects of training as marine with Royal Marines Depot, Lympstone, GB, 4/1955-8/1955: posting to depot, 4/1955; description of uniform and kit; cleaning webbing and boots; NAAFI facilities; laundry.
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of accommodation; inspections; opinion of food; attitude to discipline; punishments; basic training; drill; problem of Blanco on cap; physical training; route marches; infantry training exercises and sleeping arrangements on Dartmoor, weapons training; accidents; gas training; background of other recruits; restrictions on use of electric shavers; opinion of NCOs.
REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of training as marine with Commando School Royal Marines, Bickleigh, GB, 8/1955-9/1955: description of commando training on Dartmoor; intelligence tests; unarmed combat training; accommodation; discipline; passing out parades; issue of green beret; period in Stonehouse Barracks, Plymouth; in underground transit camp at in Goodge Street Underground Sttation in London. Recollections of operations with Baker Troop, 45 Commando, Royal Marines in Cyprus, 9/1955-8/1956: flight to Cyprus; price of cigarettes; issue of tropical uniform and kit; arrival in Nicosia; move with advance party into Troodos Mountains; opinion of rations; terrain and weather; guard duties; move to Gibraltar Camp, Limassol; accommodation in tents; problem of flooding; story of losing bayonet; moved to Patras; problems with snow; use of brandy to fuel stove; problem of frostbite injuries; rations; problem with swarms of ladybirds and earwigs.
REEL 4 Continues: organisation of commando; comradeship; description of counter-insurgency operations; house to house searches; story of forest fire and casualties, 7/1956; role in operations. Recollections of operations with Baker Troop, 45 Commando, Royal Marines in Malta and during Suez landings at Port Said in Egypt, 8/1956-2/1957: move to Malta, 8/1956; arrival in Valetta Harbour, Malta; training with helicopters; opinion of Maltese; accommodation; problem of water ration and personal hygiene; duties in galley.
REEL 5 Continues: description of voyage aboard aircraft carrier HMS Theseus from Valetta, Malta to Port Said, Egypt, 11/1956; sleeping arrangements on flight deck; role during helicopter assault at Port Said; reaction to sight of first dead body; lack of resistance; casualties; duties as runner after death of signaller; story of marine killed by sniper; 'grog' money; return voyage to Malta aboard SS Empire Fowey; reception on arrival; return to GB, 2/1957; opinion of Suez operation; story of death of signaller; attitude towards National Service.
