Description
Object description
British seaman served as radio electrician with Royal Navy in GB, 1961-1963 and aboard HMS Salisbury in Borneo during Indonesian Confrontation, 1963-1964.
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of period in GB, 1942-1961: family background and education in Leeds and Manchester; sporting activities; story of joining Royal Navy, 1961; reaction of mother. Aspects of period with Royal Navy in GB, 1961-1963: description of basic training at HMS Raleigh, Cornwall; opinion of training and instructors; description of further training as radio electrician (General Service); attitude to serving with Royal Navy as volunteer; question of not wearing uniform on shore leave; drafted to shore establishment HMS Seagull, Londonderry, Northern Ireland; duties maintaining WT equipment and guard patrols on armoury; drafted to HMS Salisbury, Plymouth. Aspects of operations as radio electrician aboard HMS Salisbury in Borneo, 10/1963-3/1964: description of ship and radio equipment; crew; re-commissioning ceremony at Plymouth; smell of diesel throughout ship; accommodation and messing arrangements; opinion of hammocks; problem of ship's ladders; working up trials; daily routine and duties; description of voyage to Singapore; personal hygiene and washing clothes; recreational activities; attitude to climate; first impressions of Singapore; shore leave; role of ship flying flag; duties as electrician; sailed to Indonesia to replace commando carrier HMS Albion; role of ship intercepting ex-Russian Navy submarines carrying communist insurgents and as troop transport for Gurkhas; description of kumpit boats; ship's armaments; relations with Gurkhas and opinion of Gurkha rum.
REEL 2 Continues: further comments on relations with Gurkhas; story of Gurkhas bringing back insurgents' ears as souvenirs; description of Christmas Day celebrations, 12/1963; amusing story about crocodile; duties as electrician accompanying Gurkhas on river patrols in small boats; supplies and refuelling; recreational activities and physical training; relations between crewmen; story about cadet at HMS Raleigh with personal hygiene problem; morale aboard ship; sailed to Philippines before returning to GB; reason for leaving Royal Navy after 12 years' service; reflections on period of service in Borneo; further comments on intercepting ex-Russian Navy submarines carrying communist insurgents; question of Borneo being a forgotten conflict; awarded PJM medal; average age of crew; amusing story about Commander and street sign; discipline and chain of command; number in radio team; duties maintaining radar sets and checking electrical systems.