Description
Object description
British bombardier served as clerk with 176 Bty, 45 Regt Royal Artillery in GB, Germany, Malaya and Borneo, 1961-1965; served as clerk with Royal Artillery in GB and Germany, 1965-1973.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1940-1961: family background in Leeds, Yorkshire; joined RAF as Boy Entrant in 3 Sqdn, 2 Wing at RAF Cosford, 1956; served as Clerk General Duties; off-duty activities; attitude to RAF discipline; opinion of accommodation; story of breaking out of camp and punishment; discharged, c.1957; story of joining Royal Artillery. Aspects of period with 176 Bty, 45 Regt Royal Artillery in GB and Germany, 1961-1963: posted to Oswestry for basic training; nature of KAIPE (Keep the Army in the Public Eye) duties; story of Leeds and Dortmund being first twinned cities; attitude to posting in Germany and lifestyle; flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, 7/1963. Aspects of operations with 176 Bty, 45 Regt Royal Artillery in Malaya and Borneo, 7/1963-11/1965: posted to Terendak Camp, Malacca; description of 105 pack howitzers; problem of heat and humidity; number and type of guns in Bty; role of Bty firing over border and as infantry; weather conditions; insurgent attacks; posted to base camp in Kuching; description of voyage aboard LST; duties as battery clerk at Kuching; river patrols; intelligence gathered by Dayak guides; story of carrying ammunition to guns at Tebedu; attitude to not being allowed to carry loaded rifle; description of unloading ammunition; reaction to seeing naked Dayak women; amusing story about coloured Gun Position Officer 'Lumumba'; description of duties with 176 Boat Party; amusing story about Scots Guards; 176 Bty posted to Seventh Mile Bazaar, 1/1965; returned to Terendak Camp; number of rounds fired; returned to GB, 11/1965; reaction to arriving in cold weather. Aspects of period with Royal Artillery in GB and Germany, 11/1965-9/1973: posted to 7 Regt in Dortmund, Germany, 6/1966; story of requesting to be posted back to 45 Regt; posted to HQ Royal Artillery 1st Div in Werden, Germany; amusing story about being saluted while wearing blue jumper; duties as Quartermaster's clerk; attitude to posting in Germany; story about Christmas party with Brigadier Lion; posted to 24 Regt in Dortmund, Germany; posted to 25 Regt at Catterick, GB; duties as clerk; reason for leaving Army, 9/1973. Aspects of civilian life and employment in GB: employment with Prison Service; reflections on military service and attitude to discipline; benefits of military training for job with Prison Service.