Terry, Michael George (Oral history)

British private and NCO served with 1st Bn The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regt) and 1st Bn The Queen's Own Buffs (The Royal Kent Regt) in GB, Germany and Kenya, 1958-1962

REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1939-1945: family; childhood in Northiam, East Sussex; various memories of Second World War including Canadian servicemen, V1 raids, rationing and receiving food parcels from America. Aspects of period in GB, 1945-1958: post-war living conditions and rationing; education; training with Sea Cadets; left school age 15 and worked on farms; reason for joining Merchant Navy; description of training as deck boy in Gloucestershire; duties as deck boy aboard tankers in Middle East and with Union Castle passenger liners to South Africa; called up for National Service, 1958. Aspects of training with The Buffs in GB, 4/Dec/1958-28/4/1959: medical examination; posted to Depot in Canterbury; induction procedure; issued with uniform and kit; method of cleaning boots; opinion of accommodation and food; pay; kit inspections; background of other recruits; training as weapons instructor; reason for signing on as regular for three years. REEL 2 Continues: attitude to army life and discipline; guard duties; cleaning and blancoing kit; method of making up bed; layout of kit; opinion of NCOs; drill; physical training; route marches; weapons training and night exercises; field training; role as section leader; off-duty activities; NAAFI facilities; passing out parade; posted to weapons training cadre; posted to 1st Bn in Germany. Aspects of operations with C Coy, 1st Bn The Buffs in Dortmund, Germany, 28/Apr/1959-21/Nov/1960: opinion of accommodation and food in old Nazi barracks; organisation of companies and platoons; weapons; route marches; training exercises with Centurion tanks; digging slit trenches; duties as lance-corporal; use of British Forces currency; cigarette ration; recreational and social activities; relations with German civilians; opinion of other NATO troops; attitude to Soviet threat. REEL 3 Continues: social life; description of training exercise crossing the River Weser; description of compo rations; winter training exercises; returned to GB, 11/1960. Aspects of period with The Queen's Own Buffs in GB, 21/Nov/1960-31/May/1961: posted to Shorncliffe barracks, Folkestone; reception on arrival; opinion of accommodation; further training; reason for battalion being called the 'fire brigade'; attitude to amalgamation with Royal West Kent Regt, 3/1961; opinion of new cap badge; attitude to loss of red shoulder flashes; issued with tropical uniform and kit; description of flight to Nairobi, Kenya. Aspects of operations with The Queen's Own Buffs in Kenya, 31/May/1961-21/Jan/1962: description of camp and facilities at Gil Gil; impressions of town; sleeping arrangements; problem of insects; issued with mosquito nets and anti-malaria tablets; innoculations; acclimatisation; terrain and climate; marches and security patrols; duties guarding farms; problem of having no ammunition for Sterling sub-machine gun; training exercises with white South African forces; relations with Kenyans; put on 24-hour standby during crisis in Kuwait; further training in Uganda. REEL 4 Continues: opinion of rations; story of shooting and eating a gazelle; communications with home; relations with native Africans; problem of safari ants; Bn remained behind as rearguard; flew back to Heathrow Airport, 1/1962. Aspects of period with 1st Bn Queen's Own Buffs in GB, 1-4/1962: returned to Shorncliffe barracks, Folkestone; attitude to remaining in army; demobilised, 9/Mar/1962; put on paid reserve for four years. Reflections on period of military service: adjustment to civilian life; employment; reunions with former colleagues.