Description
Object description
British NCO served with 3rd Bn Parachute Regt in GB, Cyprus and Egypt, 1956-1958, including parachute drop at El Gamil airfield, Suez, Egypt, 5/Nov/1956
Content description
REEL 1: Background in GB, 1937-1955: family and childhood in Brighton; evacuated to South Kirkby, Yorkshire, 1940-1944; memories of barbed wire on Brighton beach; rationing; description of family home; use of public baths; memories of VE Day celebrations, 5/1945; various memories of family life and education; employment as messenger on railways; reason for joining army.
REEL 2 Continues: story of enlistment with Parachute Regt, 3/1955. Aspects of training with Parachute Regt in GB, 1955-1956: drafted to Corunna Barracks, Aldershot; problem of ankle injury; description of basic training; boxing; drill and marching; cleaning uniform and boots; daily routine; cross country runs; polishing floor in barracks; kit inspection; problem of different marching speeds; assault course carrying log; home leave.
REEL 3 Continues: posted to RAF Abingdon for parachute training, 1955: description of pre-parachute training; jumps and rolls; opinion of instructors; pay; first parachute jump from balloon basket; parachute jumps from Handley Page Hastings; night jumps; equipment container attached to leg; awarded wings; story of visit by Field Marshall Montgomery; posted to A Coy, 3rd Bn Parachute Regt, Corunna Barracks, Aldershot, 7/1955; story of flight to Cyprus, 1/1956. Aspects of operations with 3rd Bn Parachute Regt in Cyprus, 1-11/1956: opinion of accommodation and food; problem of rain; moved to camp in Nicosia; duties searching for EOKA insurgents.
REEL 4 Continues: daily routine; riot control; searching villages for insurgents and weapons; personal hygiene; cigarette ration; returned to GB for further parachute training, 8-9/1956; security in camp; sentry duty; opinion of ration packs; gambling for cigarettes; off-duty activities in Nicosia; awareness of Suez Crisis; closure of camp prior to Suez operation; description of weapons and kit; drumhead service on parade ground.
REEL 5 Continues: briefing about attack on El Gamil airfield Aspects of operations with 3rd Bn Parachute Regt in Egypt, 5-6/Nov/1956: description of parachute drop at El Gamil airfield, 5/Nov; height of drop; problem of ground fire; unpacked containers and dug trench; description of air assault and seaborne landings; rivalry between battalions of Parachute Regt; description of operations in Port Said and El Kantara; food and water rations; embarked aboard SS Australia at Limasol, Cyprus; reaction to ceasefire; opinion of Suez operation; official attitude to El Gamil group; returned to GB, 12/1956. Aspects of period with 3rd Bn Parachute Regt in GB, 12/1956-2/1958: public reaction to Suez operation; searched for souvenirs before boarding ship; petrol rationing; leave.
REEL 6 Continues: posted to Aldershot; further parachute training; tactical exercises on Dartmoor; demobilisation, 2/1958; retained cap badge; pride in belonging to Parachute Regt. Reflections on period of military service.