Description
Object description
British NCO served with 3rd Bn Parachute Regt in GB, Cyprus and Egypt, 1954-1956
Content description
REEL 1: Background in East End of London, 1936-1953: family; education; various memories of Second World War including evacuation; death of uncles in Second World War; left school at 15; employment; post-war life in East End of London; reason for wanting to join Parachute Regt; direct enlistment into Parachute Regt, 12/1953. Aspects of training with Parachute Regt in GB, 12/1953-4/1954: posted to Aldershot for basic training; drill; weapons training; transferred to P Coy; regimental motto; military experience of instructors; care of uniform and pride in appearance; uniform; use of Second World War weapons; daily routine; physical training; parachute training at RAF Abingdon.
REEL 2 Continues: parachute jumps from aircraft and balloons; equipment checks prior to jumps; role of paratroopers; uniform and personal equipment; organisation of section and platoon; relations with NCOs; tradition of airborne forces; organisation of typical battalion; role of RSM and Colour Sgt; role of engineers; method of deployment of airborne forces; story of bugle call. Aspects of operations with B Coy, 3rd Bn Parachute Regt in Cyprus, 1-11/1956: description of flight aboard Shackleton; political situation; posted to camp near Nicosia; daily routine and duties as part of internal security force; physical training; climate; forest fires.
REEL 3 Continues: returned to GB for further parachute training; posted to Egypt during Suez Crisis. Aspects of operations with B Coy, 3rd Bn Parachute Regt in Egypt, 11/1956: flew aboard Canberra from Nicosia, 5/Nov/1956; objectives of 3rd Bn; problem of flying into the sun and painting aircraft windscreens; ground fire; description of parachute drop over airfield at El Gamil; objectives; terrain; role of section in locating Egyptian armour; abandonment of positions by Egyptian troops; problem of heavy mortar fire; description of operations in cemetery; casualties; location of B Coy in block of flats; night patrols; ceasefire; sailed back to Cyprus; opinion of FN rifle andM40 anti-tank rifle; use of Austin Champ dropped from aircraft; weapons and kit carried during parachute drop and comparison with French airborne forces; opinion of Egyptian forces.
REEL 4 Continues: attitude to operation at El Gamil; left Parachute Regt in GB, 4/1957.Aspects of period in GB, 1958-1997: military service with 21 SAS (TA), 1958-1963 and Home Services Force in GB, 1984-1992; ceremonial duties in London with 10th Bn Parachute Regt (TA), 1992-1997.
