Lowe, David Percival (Oral history)

British NCO served with 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in India and Burma, 1943-1945

REEL 1: Background in North Walsham, Norfolk, GB, 1924-1943: family; education; reaction to outbreak of war, 9/1939; employment at Astoria cinema, Finsbury Park; question of being in reserved occupation; story of enlisting with Royal Norfolk Regt at Britannia Barracks, Norwich, 3/1941. Aspects of training with Royal Norfolk Regt in GB, 1943: basic training; billets; uniform and kit; reason for joining Royal Norfolk Regt; opinion of accommodation; kit inspection; rations; physical training; description of training as Bren gun carrier driver; vehicle maintenance; preparations for overseas service; issued with tropical uniform; reception from civilians in Liverpool. Aspects of voyage from Liverpool to North Africa, 11/1943: description of Dutch troopship Marnix van St. Aldegonde; story of being torpedoed by German aircraft off coast of Algeria, 6/Nov/1943; damage to ship; problem of missing lifeboats. REEL 2 Continues: description of rescue by sister ship MV Ruys; landed at Phillipeville, Algeria; sailed to Alexandria, Egypt aboard HMS Derbyshire. Aspects of operations with 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in India, 11/1943-4/1944: first impressions of Bombay; journey by train to Deolali; memory of hearing Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas'; description of transit camp; duties digging monsoon trenches; posted to Belgaum for jungle training. Aspects of operations with 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Regt at Kohima, India, 4-6/1944: description of flight in Dakota to Dimapur; composition of 4th Infantry Bde; description of advance at night to start line; role as defence platoon for TAC HQ; description of attack on Japanese positions, 4/May/1944; memory of noise of bullets; reaction to seeing first dead Japanese soldier; description of conditions and terrain around Kohima garrison; story of brigadier killed by sniper; problem of heavy rain filling 'coffin' trenches; story about bandicoot; duties as bodyguard to 2nd Bn CO Col Scott; story of death of Cpt J Randle VC; amusing story of booby trap; use of tank on Japanese positions; death of Brigadier Theobald; nature of fighting around the Aradura Spur; story of Col Scott being seriously wounded by grenade. REEL 3 Continues: description of front line at Kohima; opinion of Japanese; memories of Sgt 'Winkle' Fitt. Aspects of operations with 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in India and Burma, 6/1944-8/1945: pursuit of retreating Japanese forces into Burma; flew back to India; problem of humidity; story of false report of death; promoted to sergeant-major; duties as Provost Sgt; attitude to dropping of atomic bombs, 8/1945; opinion of Col Scott. Aspects of period with 2nd Bn Royal Norfolk Regt in GB, 1946-1947: returned to GB, 1946; rank; reaction to cold weather; duties as drill sergeant; demobilised, 7/1947. Post war life and employment with Rank Organisation in GB. Further memories of Col Scott.