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1
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BOY: To take this film,
2
00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:30,438
Daddy lent me his camera...
3
00:00:37,120 --> 00:00:39,236
his light...
4
00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:43,152
..and exposure meter.
5
00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:52,231
When the film was finished,
it had to be edited.
6
00:01:04,000 --> 00:01:07,959
WOMAN: My grandfather, Harry Birrell,
was obsessed with the cinema.
7
00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:17,790
This is a film he made in 1959.
8
00:01:18,880 --> 00:01:22,236
With a little help
from my four-year-old dad.
9
00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:27,389
Like most people
of his generation,
10
00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:30,313
Harry grew up watching movies.
11
00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:34,473
He was 15 when the original
King Kong was released.
12
00:01:34,560 --> 00:01:37,473
I can only imagine
what it must have felt like.
13
00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:40,949
OK, Daddy, start the projector.
14
00:01:42,360 --> 00:01:44,715
WOMAN: But before then, at age ten,
15
00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:47,679
Harry was given his first cine camera,
16
00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:50,513
the greatest toy
a child could ever wish for.
17
00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:43,159
DOOR CREAKS
18
00:03:44,280 --> 00:03:45,600
OK.
19
00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:06,360
"The Unconquered Mountain."
20
00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:24,515
There are over 400 films.
21
00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:29,516
Some in much better condition
than others.
22
00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:35,759
But I've really no idea
what's on any of them,
23
00:04:35,840 --> 00:04:37,877
and that's really exciting.
24
00:04:46,000 --> 00:04:48,640
I think these are albums.
25
00:04:59,280 --> 00:05:05,037
"To the beautiful music
of Chopin, Liszt and Puccini,
26
00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:07,714
little Molly listens."
27
00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:10,632
Don't know who Molly was.
28
00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:22,038
Along with the albums
were a handful of diaries.
29
00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,790
Harry started writing these diaries
30
00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:29,555
from an Army base in 1940,
31
00:05:29,640 --> 00:05:32,632
so that his family would have
arecord of his life.
32
00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:42,197
NARRATOR: "All of us like to recall events
that have taken place,
33
00:05:42,280 --> 00:05:45,079
but the passage of time
often dims the mirror
34
00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:47,629
and the memories fade forever,
35
00:05:47,720 --> 00:05:50,951
unless some small spark
lights the fire again."
36
00:05:52,440 --> 00:05:54,750
"My memory is not good,
37
00:05:54,840 --> 00:05:58,993
and as I write this diary
some two years later,
38
00:05:59,080 --> 00:06:02,471
most of these memories,
though dear to me,
39
00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:03,789
are fast fading."
40
00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:11,237
"These times can never be again,
for the war has changed us."
41
00:06:14,920 --> 00:06:17,150
"In the event of my being a casualty,
42
00:06:17,240 --> 00:06:20,471
please send this book home
to my mother,
43
00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:25,031
Mrs E C Birrell, Stanely House,
Paisley, Scotland."
44
00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,430
TYPEWRITER CLICKS
45
00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:31,319
"Everything begins and ends somewhere,
46
00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:36,395
and I, Harry Birrell, began
on the 16th day of March 1918."
47
00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:39,870
"The first Great War was raging."
48
00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:43,476
"My father had volunteered,
and was killed at Salonika
49
00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:45,233
a month before it ended.”
50
00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:48,159
"I was never to see him."
51
00:06:55,920 --> 00:06:59,197
"My mother was left to bring up
my sister Betty and I
52
00:06:59,280 --> 00:07:00,953
on a war widow's pension.”
53
00:07:07,480 --> 00:07:09,232
"Some 20 years later,
54
00:07:09,320 --> 00:07:13,109
I set out to a college
for chartered surveyors
55
00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:16,477
and found myself in
an entirely new world,
56
00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:20,918
a place where I would
geton in life, and be happy."
57
00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:25,794
"It was the dawn of a new era,
but who knew at that time
58
00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,190
what an important period it
was to be?"
59
00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:34,511
"London in 1938 fascinated me."
60
00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:36,671
"There was so much to see."
61
00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:41,994
"Oxford Street, Leicester Square,
the lights of Piccadilly Circus,
62
00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:44,196
and for amusement
every Saturday,
63
00:07:44,280 --> 00:07:48,239
the Dominion cinema offered
a four-hour show for threepence.”
64
00:07:51,040 --> 00:07:54,317
"I remember Dark Victory
with Bette Davis
65
00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:58,917
and a premiere of Goodbye, Mr Chips
at the Empire Theatre."
66
00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:04,755
"There was some work,
but not very much.”
67
00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:06,751
"We were young and did not care."
68
00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:10,754
"Away from your parents you could
do pretty much as you wanted."
69
00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:19,073
"On Sundays, in the line of exercise,
70
00:08:19,160 --> 00:08:22,437
we would go to one of the lidos
for a few pence.”
71
00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:25,353
"Then, in the afternoon,
we might go for a row
72
00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:28,751
in Regents Park or on the Serpentine.”
73
00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:31,992
"This was London.
The good old days."
74
00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:36,709
"I wonder if they will ever come again?"
75
00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:47,919
"About this time
the Great War scare began."
76
00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:52,358
"It seemed certain that Germany
was going to declare war,
77
00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:54,829
and we all got issued
with gas masks."
78
00:09:03,600 --> 00:09:07,480
"But Neville Chamberlain retuned
from Germany
79
00:09:07,560 --> 00:09:11,110
with an announcement
that it is peace in our time."
80
00:09:14,520 --> 00:09:15,874
"How wrong he was."
81
00:09:17,760 --> 00:09:20,957
"Letter from Mother, 25th September."
82
00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:27,997
WOMAN: "My dear Harry,
thanks so much for your letter
83
00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:31,755
which arrived with your
laundry bundle last Tuesday moming,
84
00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:34,150
and, as ever, I was pleased to get it."
85
00:09:34,240 --> 00:09:38,473
NARRATOR: "How interesting to have seen
some of the cabinet ministers
86
00:09:38,560 --> 00:09:40,790
entering Number 10 Downing Street."
87
00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:48,799
"You won't realise, Harry,
just what it means."
88
00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:52,111
"You were too young
to remember the last war,
89
00:09:52,200 --> 00:09:54,874
but you know
that if there had been no war
90
00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:57,918
how very different
your life would have been."
91
00:09:58,000 --> 00:09:59,559
"Also mine."
92
00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:03,474
"You would have had a father's
help all through your life."
93
00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:08,593
"In some ways
I feel I have failed in my duty
94
00:10:08,680 --> 00:10:11,320
where Betty and you are concerned.”
95
00:10:11,400 --> 00:10:15,519
"I have done my best, but have found it
very hard at times,
96
00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:19,912
and I think now, that just when you
have grown to manhood,
97
00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,958
there is this awful prospect
of another war."
98
00:10:23,040 --> 00:10:25,554
"The last one did no good."
99
00:10:25,640 --> 00:10:28,359
"Just robbed us
of the best of our men."
100
00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:31,159
"How do you feel about it all now?"
101
00:10:31,240 --> 00:10:33,914
"You are living in the midst
of everything,
102
00:10:34,000 --> 00:10:35,877
much more than we are.”
103
00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:39,953
"Will send your laundry during the week."
104
00:10:40,040 --> 00:10:43,237
"Surely you don't change your shirts
often enough."
105
00:10:43,320 --> 00:10:45,118
"One a week is far too little."
106
00:10:45,200 --> 00:10:47,669
"Remember, one judges by appearances!”
107
00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,514
NARRATOR: "And so the time passed,
108
00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:55,355
life seemed grand, and I was very happy."
109
00:10:55,440 --> 00:10:59,195
"We were staying at
the Bloomsbury House Club,
110
00:10:59,280 --> 00:11:02,238
and with Colin Possat and Robert Fairburn,
111
00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:05,711
I remember watching Barbara Smythe
and the other girls
112
00:11:05,800 --> 00:11:09,555
play a bit of tennis."
113
00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:11,711
"Barbara was, without question,
114
00:11:11,800 --> 00:11:16,476
the most beautiful girl
I had ever set eyes on."
115
00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:22,709
"I remember the picnics in Sussex..."
116
00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:41,233
"the day trips to Eastbourne
and Brighton."
117
00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:55,319
SPLASH
118
00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:58,552
"Alas, it was not to be with Barbara."
119
00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:02,031
"I'm afraid that I do not understand girls
very well,
120
00:12:02,120 --> 00:12:05,715
for she had given me
some encouragement.”
121
00:12:05,800 --> 00:12:09,031
"She married a tank driver,
and I wish them well."
122
00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:20,434
"I wonder where they are now?"
123
00:12:28,680 --> 00:12:31,513
"About this time,
there was another war scare.”
124
00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:35,958
"Germany had invaded Austria,
but, as usual, little came of t."
125
00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:41,399
"So, in the summer of 1939,
I set off back to Scotland,
126
00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:43,710
still madly in love with London."
127
00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:49,115
"It was the holidays,
and we were returning to Blackwaterfoot
128
00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:50,634
on the Isle of Arran."
129
00:12:55,160 --> 00:12:58,039
"Knowing there was a possibility of war,
130
00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:02,398
Robert Kelman declared
he was going to join the Foreign Legion."
131
00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:09,199
"The first night was spent
on a potato feast
132
00:13:09,280 --> 00:13:12,079
on the hill behind the village."
133
00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:16,199
"There was a beautiful sunset
over the Mull of Kintyre
134
00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:18,999
and colour film
had not long been invented,
135
00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:21,276
so I took full advantage of it."
136
00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:29,072
"By now, it was the third week of August
and things had begun happening in Europe.”
137
00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:31,800
"One morning,
I went down to the tennis court
138
00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:35,350
and everyone seemed very quiet."
139
00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:37,716
"What's the matter?" I inquired"
140
00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,235
“Have you seen today's papers?”
141
00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:42,072
“No”
“Well, have a look.”
142
00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:48,434
“This is impossible.
They're the two worst enemies.”
143
00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:51,512
“That might be so, but there itis,
144
00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:54,558
and I'm afraid that it means war
this time."
145
00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:03,280
"That was the last night we were
to have together that holiday."
146
00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:04,350
"It's sad to think
147
00:14:04,440 --> 00:14:07,592
it was the last time
the same people will ever meet,
148
00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:11,594
for some will fail to return
from this war."
149
00:14:11,680 --> 00:14:14,513
"The next day, hundreds of people left."
150
00:14:14,600 --> 00:14:16,910
"The place was deserted.”
151
00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:19,913
"And as the war clouds gathered,
152
00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:23,516
the river at Blackwaterfoot
was truly living up to its name."
153
00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:30,798
"The following Saturday,
Germany invaded Poland
154
00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:32,518
and an ultimatum was given
155
00:14:32,600 --> 00:14:35,752
that unless she withdrew
her forces immediately,
156
00:14:35,840 --> 00:14:37,478
war would be declared.”
157
00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:42,358
"The house was rather dismal that day,
I'm afraid.”
158
00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:45,595
“For we did not know
what was in store for us."
159
00:14:54,840 --> 00:14:58,356
“It was certain that I would be
called up, so I volunteered
160
00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:00,590
and had to take
the Oath of Allegiance.”
161
00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:05,349
“It wasn't for honour or glory,
it was the fact that if you volunteered
162
00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:07,954
you would more likely
get promoted quicker."
163
00:15:09,880 --> 00:15:13,316
"A few days later,
a letter arrived accepting my offer.”
164
00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:23,149
"Any glamour of war
was knocked out of my head
165
00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:26,198
when I joined the Cameronians
at Hamilton Barracks.”
166
00:15:32,360 --> 00:15:34,670
"Four months at Hamilton was enough,
167
00:15:34,760 --> 00:15:37,832
and we were posted fo
the officer cadet training unit
168
00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:39,672
number 165 at Dunbar.”
169
00:15:44,920 --> 00:15:49,153
"Life at Dunbar was stiff,
and we had to look after ourselves.”
170
00:16:01,240 --> 00:16:04,153
"My knowledge of the Army
was increasing,
171
00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:05,753
and I was in my element.”
172
00:16:11,640 --> 00:16:13,472
"And so time drifted on."
173
00:16:13,560 --> 00:16:16,279
"I remember the invasion of Holland
174
00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:19,876
and the possibility we might be required
at a minute's notice.”
175
00:16:23,520 --> 00:16:24,954
"Then France capitulated,
176
00:16:25,040 --> 00:16:27,395
and there was a terrific scare
of invasion."
177
00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:33,036
"We built roadblocks and were put
to guarding the coast.”
178
00:16:33,120 --> 00:16:36,476
"Under the sunshine of a June day,
we watched and waited
179
00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:38,153
on the beach.”
180
00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:41,710
"I was in a weapons pit
with Len Carr and Ronnie Millar.”
181
00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:44,474
"But thankfully the invasion didn't come
182
00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:47,074
and we were withdrawn
from the beaches."
183
00:17:03,760 --> 00:17:07,913
"On a Friday, we were commissioned
in a smart passing out parade.”
184
00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:09,115
"Now we were free
185
00:17:09,200 --> 00:17:12,716
and were the proud possessors
of one shining brass pip."
186
00:17:18,280 --> 00:17:21,272
“I went on leave,
awaiting my first commission."
187
00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:35,837
"It was August of 1940,
188
00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:39,595
and we went back to Blackwaterfoot
on the Isle of Arran."
189
00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:58,517
"There were very few people there
at that time,
190
00:17:58,600 --> 00:18:00,113
but one day I looked round
191
00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:03,318
and saw a rather pretty girl
reading a big book."
192
00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:07,917
"What marvellous eyes she had."
193
00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:17,352
"Hello, you're new here.
You like the place?
194
00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:20,478
What's the book you're reading”
"Gone with the Wind."
195
00:18:21,760 --> 00:18:24,752
"And so began
the greatest romance of my life."
196
00:18:24,840 --> 00:18:27,639
2 Skylark
197
00:18:27,720 --> 00:18:33,159
I Have you anything to say to me?
198
00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:38,076
2 Won't you tell me where love can be?
199
00:18:38,160 --> 00:18:42,279
Is there a meadow in the mist
200
00:18:42,360 --> 00:18:45,591
I Where someone's waiting to be kissed? ♪
201
00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:50,800
NARRATOR: "It was still the custom to have
dances, even in the dark of blackout."
202
00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:54,437
"All the girls at this end of the room,
203
00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:58,115
all the boys at the far end, please,'
shouted John Rusk."
204
00:18:58,200 --> 00:19:02,592
"He then blindfolded himself,
and picked partners for everyone.”
205
00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:06,397
"At last, my turn came."
206
00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:07,709
"He took me by the arm,
207
00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:11,953
and led me straight to the girl
I'd met earlier, Anne Craig."
208
00:19:13,120 --> 00:19:15,031
"My heart stood still."
209
00:19:15,120 --> 00:19:17,031
"Of all the girls in the room,
210
00:19:17,120 --> 00:19:21,114
he had taken me straight to the one
I admired most."
211
00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:28,190
"I remember the last dance,
the name of which escapes me now."
212
00:20:11,240 --> 00:20:12,878
BIRDS CHIRP
213
00:20:17,440 --> 00:20:20,398
NARRATOR: "Anne and I took a walk
to the King's Caves
214
00:20:20,480 --> 00:20:22,756
and found we liked each other very much."
215
00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:28,631
"I don't know what's happening to me,"
she said.
216
00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:30,119
"Give me a kiss."
217
00:20:32,200 --> 00:20:34,555
"The sky was so beautiful
218
00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:37,359
no poet or musician
could ever do it justice."
219
00:20:48,040 --> 00:20:53,069
"We met every day that week,
and to say time stood still."
220
00:21:08,760 --> 00:21:12,515
"I was in a daze, a love daze."
221
00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:23,036
"The last night I took Anne
for a long walk up the Lagg Road,
222
00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:26,397
and here I discovered
that she was in love with me."
223
00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:30,394
"It seemed so silly, here we were,
224
00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:34,519
having known each other for only a week,
yet we were in love."
225
00:21:35,920 --> 00:21:39,629
"We walked along the shore
and lay down in each other's arms
226
00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:41,518
at the bottom of a sand dune.”
227
00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:52,430
“I kissed her goodbye,
and the thought struck me,
228
00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:55,638
was this the last time
I was to see this spot?”
229
00:21:55,720 --> 00:21:59,998
“There is a war on
and men are killed in wars."
230
00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:08,758
"A week had passed since those glorious
days with Anne on Arran."
231
00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:12,351
"There was still no sign of my sailing,
232
00:22:12,440 --> 00:22:14,795
s0 we arranged to meet again in Glasgow."
233
00:22:23,160 --> 00:22:25,754
"We had dinner
at the Central Station Hotel,
234
00:22:25,840 --> 00:22:28,514
and then to the Plaza
to see Gone with the Wind."
235
00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:33,032
"It's a marvellous film,
and I enjoyed every minute.”
236
00:22:34,800 --> 00:22:37,918
"I remember the afternoons
together at Stanely,
237
00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:39,673
a picnic at Milngavie
238
00:22:40,320 --> 00:22:43,358
and a preview at the Regal
of Till we Meet Again."
239
00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:54,116
"We went to Anne's house for dinner
one night and she went up to change."
240
00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:57,272
"What a marvellous blue silk dress
she came down in,
241
00:22:57,360 --> 00:22:59,749
showing off her figure to perfection.”
242
00:23:01,880 --> 00:23:04,918
"How pretty she was, and refined."
243
00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:09,556
"It was a marvellous night,
and on the porch,
244
00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:11,472
under a full moon,
she whispered to me:
245
00:23:13,240 --> 00:23:16,437
‘Do you think that if we think
of each other hard enough
246
00:23:16,520 --> 00:23:19,433
we can actually feel close
when we're apart?"
247
00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:22,676
“Anne, 'm madly in love with you.
248
00:23:22,760 --> 00:23:26,640
I think that if [ was a bit older
I would ask you to marry me."
249
00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:29,155
"I think that I saw a tear in her eye."
250
00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:31,709
"There certainly was one in my heart."
251
00:23:33,040 --> 00:23:35,475
"The night was perfect."
252
00:23:35,560 --> 00:23:39,235
"I went home in a trance
through Anniesland Cross
253
00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:42,119
and down to the Renfrew ferry
as a shortcut home."
254
00:23:42,200 --> 00:23:46,592
"No sooner had I got on, then the wailing
of the air-raid sirens began."
255
00:23:46,680 --> 00:23:50,753
"I went to the cabin with the captain
and he took me to the bridge."
256
00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:55,198
"Not a healthy place to be on the River
Clyde in the middle of an air-raid."
257
00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:59,319
"It didn't seem to matter.
Gosh, I was madly in love with Anne."
258
00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:03,678
"The following Friday, a letter came
for me from the India Office.”
259
00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:06,991
"I knew what was in it.
My sailing orders."
260
00:24:08,160 --> 00:24:11,710
"I wrote Anne a long letter,
as she'd had to leave town by then."
261
00:24:12,760 --> 00:24:15,718
"When Monday came,
there were some sad scenes."
262
00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:19,509
"But as the porter came up
with the baggage labelled ‘Bombay',
263
00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:22,240
I felt as though I was really
going somewhere."
264
00:24:22,320 --> 00:24:25,676
"I kissed Mother goodbye,
there was a whistle then a hush
265
00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:27,990
as the train drew out of the station.”
266
00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:31,198
"I had seen the last
of all the people that I loved.”
267
00:24:32,360 --> 00:24:33,634
Wow.
268
00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:38,834
NARRATOR: "The day was bright,
and the last look at Scotland
269
00:24:38,920 --> 00:24:42,117
was as a lovely Island
bathed in glorious sunshine."
270
00:24:44,760 --> 00:24:46,797
"There was a small breeze,
271
00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:50,032
which made gentle white horses
on the water."
272
00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:56,312
"Arran stood in majestic beauty
over the sunlit sea.”
273
00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:01,559
"Such things grow fast dim,
274
00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:07,472
but sometime, in the not too distant
future, I hope to return home
275
00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:10,552
and once again be in the country
nearest my heart."
276
00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:17,278
"We were not to see land again
for many weeks."
277
00:25:17,360 --> 00:25:21,638
"The main thought in the minds of all
was the possibility of a German air-raid.”
278
00:25:23,320 --> 00:25:26,551
"On day two,
a German submarine was sighted,
279
00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:30,313
but thankfully it didn't bother us."
280
00:25:34,240 --> 00:25:37,471
"The weather, however,
grew steadily worse."
281
00:25:38,280 --> 00:25:43,673
"Our boat, the Britannia, was an
Anchor Line steam ship of about 30 tons."
282
00:25:43,760 --> 00:25:47,355
"By mid-Atlantic she was being
tossed about like a cork."
283
00:25:52,160 --> 00:25:54,913
"In such seas we were able
to make little headway,
284
00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,595
so we had to hove to until the storm
blew out almost a week later."
285
00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:09,072
"One of the amazing things
brought about by this hurricane, though,
286
00:26:09,160 --> 00:26:13,916
was a phenomenon of small of phosphorous
floating on the surface of the water."
287
00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:15,911
"This lit up the entire sea."
288
00:26:18,840 --> 00:26:23,835
"By Saturday November 2nd, the seas
had calmed down and we got crganised."
289
00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:26,992
"Urdu classes were run,
and lectures on India,
290
00:26:27,080 --> 00:26:30,914
which proved to be a lot of nonsense
when we arrived out here."
291
00:26:31,000 --> 00:26:33,719
"Anyhow, it happened to pass the time."
292
00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:07,276
"On the 9th of November,
we sighted land for the first time."
293
00:27:13,360 --> 00:27:16,876
"Any land looks good
after so many days at sea,
294
00:27:16,960 --> 00:27:19,474
and Sierra Leone was no exception."
295
00:27:20,280 --> 00:27:23,079
"What a majestic place it was."
296
00:27:23,160 --> 00:27:25,470
"Hills kissing into clouds,
297
00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:28,313
with palm trees coming down
to the edge of the sea."
298
00:27:29,960 --> 00:27:32,839
"We were not allowed ashore
because of a fever,
299
00:27:32,920 --> 00:27:38,438
but the native boats that swarmed around
the ship helped to while away the time."
300
00:27:38,520 --> 00:27:43,117
"I bought Anne and Mother silk stockings
in the way of a Christmas present.”
301
00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:47,878
"In the evening we raised anchor,
302
00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:50,873
and a few hours later
we had lost sight of the land,
303
00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:53,520
but the break had given us
what we needed."
304
00:27:58,280 --> 00:28:01,193
"The rest of the journey
was without incident.”
305
00:28:01,280 --> 00:28:05,877
"We did the stretch from Cape Town
to Bombay in ten days. Quite good going."
306
00:28:12,160 --> 00:28:17,280
"On Thursday the 5th of December, waters
changed from the blue of the Arabian Sea
307
00:28:17,360 --> 00:28:19,033
to the dirty colour of mud."
308
00:28:21,040 --> 00:28:23,759
"At 11 o'clock, we saw the first of India,
309
00:28:24,480 --> 00:28:27,916
and by midday
we were in the bay at Bombay."
310
00:28:33,120 --> 00:28:35,350
"An officer came aboard
to give us our regiments.”
311
00:28:35,960 --> 00:28:40,352
"I was to report to the Gurkha Rifles.
Oh, boy!"
312
00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:41,510
"Was this a break,
313
00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:46,549
being posted to probably
the finest regiment in the world."
314
00:28:50,840 --> 00:28:53,229
"We went for a walk around Bombay."
315
00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:54,719
"God, how it smelt."
316
00:28:54,800 --> 00:28:58,839
"So entirely different from anything
that I had ever imagined."
317
00:29:00,280 --> 00:29:05,639
"The poverty and squalor that many
of the people lived in was unbelievable.”
318
00:29:08,280 --> 00:29:12,319
"In utter contrast, we spent the night
in the famous Taj Mahal Hotel."
319
00:29:16,960 --> 00:29:19,873
"The following morning,
at about ten o'clock,
320
00:29:19,960 --> 00:29:24,477
my train set out from Bombay Central,
and by 11:00 I was in dreamland,
321
00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:28,269
having begun the longest and most exciting
train journey."
322
00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:31,517
"Life in India had begun."
323
00:29:46,840 --> 00:29:51,550
"Across desert terrain,
up steep mountain slopes,
324
00:29:51,640 --> 00:29:56,589
through deep valleys
and finally to Shillong, Assam,
325
00:29:56,680 --> 00:30:01,914
and our beautiful hilltop training station
situated near the Burma border."
326
00:30:04,680 --> 00:30:06,432
"This was some place."
327
00:30:26,240 --> 00:30:27,719
"To Mother."
328
00:30:28,920 --> 00:30:33,869
"Just to let you know what her son is
doing and that he has not forgotten her."
329
00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:36,076
"Some pictures of Indian life."
330
00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:42,720
"This is a marvellous station
I have come fo."
331
00:30:42,800 --> 00:30:45,553
"The aptly named Happy Valley."
332
00:30:45,640 --> 00:30:47,358
"Looking out from my window
333
00:30:47,440 --> 00:30:50,353
I think of the vast journey
I have covered,
334
00:30:50,440 --> 00:30:54,274
about 15,000 miles in all,
more than halfway round the world."
335
00:30:56,560 --> 00:31:01,839
"I think of those who I have left at home.
How far away they seem."
336
00:31:07,320 --> 00:31:10,676
"The Gurkhas are intensely keen
on soldering
337
00:31:10,760 --> 00:31:13,912
and are undoubtedly
the world's finest fighters."
338
00:31:15,800 --> 00:31:20,237
"Somehow, I have been given command
of my own battalion."
339
00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:39,519
"Although the Gurkhas health
is usually perfect,
340
00:31:39,600 --> 00:31:42,513
we still have to do a spell of PT
each morning."
341
00:31:46,560 --> 00:31:50,872
"We are told that the Germans
will probably be using gas attacks soon,
342
00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:53,429
so we are trained in chemical warfare."
343
00:31:54,160 --> 00:31:57,152
“Not a lot of fun
in the searing Indian sun."
344
00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:07,512
"The Gurkhas in the unit
have become more than my men,
345
00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:11,036
they are my friends
who I have grown to very much admire."
346
00:32:11,120 --> 00:32:15,432
"Fellows that will take all the dirt going
and still come up smiling,
347
00:32:15,520 --> 00:32:19,354
so brave they did not know the meaning
of death or fear."
348
00:32:24,200 --> 00:32:26,396
"They have never let me down."
349
00:32:39,440 --> 00:32:43,434
"Today the Gurkha festival of Dussehra
was held,
350
00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:47,753
where the men dress up as women, and after
quite a few drinks beat it up a bit."
351
00:32:50,440 --> 00:32:53,876
"The incense was lending
an Oriental touch to the scene
352
00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:56,679
and somehow or other
it all seemed unreal.”
353
00:33:04,760 --> 00:33:07,878
"This festival
is very bloodthirsty, though."
354
00:33:12,240 --> 00:33:14,800
"The first animal to be sacrificed
was a duck,
355
00:33:14,880 --> 00:33:18,271
which had its head cut off
in one sweep of the kukri."
356
00:33:20,800 --> 00:33:23,110
"The next on the list was a goat."
357
00:33:23,960 --> 00:33:27,749
"Off came its head so swiftly,
almost to be invisible to the eye."
358
00:33:28,640 --> 00:33:33,271
"It was a horrible sight, but we were
witnessing a unique experience.”
359
00:33:34,480 --> 00:33:36,357
"And so the slaughter went on,
360
00:33:36,440 --> 00:33:40,752
until the time came
for the greatest of all, the bull."
361
00:33:44,160 --> 00:33:48,996
"One sweep of superhuman strength
is required to cut off its neck."
362
00:33:49,080 --> 00:33:50,878
"A hush fell on the audience."
363
00:33:50,960 --> 00:33:53,474
"Would his strength stand up to the job?"
364
00:33:53,560 --> 00:33:57,076
"If he failed, it meant that bad luck
would be with the regiment
365
00:33:57,160 --> 00:33:58,719
for the following year."
366
00:34:09,160 --> 00:34:12,278
"As he stood
with the double-handed kuki raised,
367
00:34:12,360 --> 00:34:14,556
every second seemed like an hour."
368
00:34:14,640 --> 00:34:17,439
"Then down it came, one swish."
369
00:34:30,160 --> 00:34:34,597
"He had succeeded,
and may good luck be with the battalion."
370
00:34:37,160 --> 00:34:39,356
"The CO went back to his offices,
371
00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:42,956
while we stayed with the men,
most of us just having a beer,
372
00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:45,680
for, after the scenes
we had just witnessed,
373
00:34:45,760 --> 00:34:48,593
we did not feel much
like eating anything."
374
00:34:56,600 --> 00:35:00,673
"The battalion is posted to Karachi,
and the day after we arrived,
375
00:35:00,760 --> 00:35:02,592
instead of PT,
376
00:35:02,680 --> 00:35:05,877
I decided to take the men for a swim
in the Arabian Gulf."
377
00:35:17,360 --> 00:35:20,318
"This is indeed an experience
for some of the men,
378
00:35:20,400 --> 00:35:23,279
who have never before seen the sea."
379
00:35:25,560 --> 00:35:28,871
"They were not able to understand
the saltinit
380
00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:33,830
and asked me some very difficult questions
as to why it was salty
381
00:35:33,920 --> 00:35:35,797
and what makes the waves,
382
00:35:37,160 --> 00:35:42,917
which, in English, was difficult enough
to explain, not to mention Nepalese."
383
00:36:17,320 --> 00:36:19,311
Everybody was very surprised
384
00:36:19,400 --> 00:36:25,396
when we heard that he'd been made
a captain of a Gurkha brigade!
385
00:36:25,920 --> 00:36:27,831
This sounded most unusual.
386
00:36:29,200 --> 00:36:31,510
He was a very friendly individual
387
00:36:32,200 --> 00:36:35,511
and he just loved filming,
filming anything.
388
00:36:35,600 --> 00:36:40,037
He also found that he could get
Kodachrome colour film,
389
00:36:40,120 --> 00:36:43,078
because he managed to persuade the Army
390
00:36:43,160 --> 00:36:49,076
that if he used colour film
to photograph enemy territory,
391
00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:54,439
he could distinguish between
real trees and fake trees
392
00:36:54,520 --> 00:36:56,477
and camouflage netting.
393
00:36:57,760 --> 00:37:00,149
Whether that's true or not,
I don't know,
394
00:37:00,240 --> 00:37:02,356
but it got him a supply of colour film,
395
00:37:02,440 --> 00:37:04,875
which nobody else could get
during the war.
396
00:37:06,760 --> 00:37:09,195
I could show you the bit of film
that I've got.
397
00:37:25,720 --> 00:37:28,792
NARRATOR: *I have been abroad
for almost two years
398
00:37:28,880 --> 00:37:31,793
and so have a bit of leave
in beautiful Kashmir."
399
00:37:32,680 --> 00:37:37,834
"Here we stay in house boats,
and the way to get around is in canoes.”
400
00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:42,518
"We put on Tchaikovsky,
401
00:37:42,600 --> 00:37:45,718
and thought that this war
really wasn't so bad."
402
00:37:50,760 --> 00:37:54,196
"At this time, petrol has not
been rationed in India,
403
00:37:54,280 --> 00:37:57,511
so we could indulge in the luxury
of surfboarding.”
404
00:37:59,040 --> 00:38:02,874
"I, however, seem to have some difficulty
in getting started."
405
00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:36,992
"But now it is time
for me to leave the battalion.”
406
00:38:38,000 --> 00:38:39,877
“Japan has declared war,
407
00:38:39,960 --> 00:38:42,236
and because of my training as a surveyor
408
00:38:42,320 --> 00:38:45,597
I received an order
to report to Colonel Penney
409
00:38:45,680 --> 00:38:47,956
at the Survey of India in Dehra Dun."
410
00:38:50,400 --> 00:38:53,791
"My new title is
the Deputy Director of Map Publication,
411
00:38:53,880 --> 00:38:58,636
responsible for producing maps
from the Middle East to the Philippines.”
412
00:39:02,320 --> 00:39:06,632
"I'm looking forward to my new life,
perhaps with a little apprehension,
413
00:39:06,720 --> 00:39:10,475
for no matter how tough the times have
been in the training camp,
414
00:39:10,560 --> 00:39:12,358
I was sorry to leave the Gurkhas."
415
00:39:13,240 --> 00:39:17,359
"My greatest regret was that
I was not to lead them into action.”
416
00:39:17,440 --> 00:39:18,919
"Maybe it's just as well,
417
00:39:19,000 --> 00:39:23,836
for I doubt I would be able to do justice
to these fine little fellows from Nepal."
418
00:39:26,520 --> 00:39:30,150
REPORTER: In the meantime, in China,
roads packed with refugees
419
00:39:30,240 --> 00:39:34,154
gave evidence of the terrific struggle
against the Japanese advance.
420
00:39:46,120 --> 00:39:49,397
A defeated China
would mean India invaded.
421
00:40:00,920 --> 00:40:04,629
NARRATOR: “The Burma-China road
has been cut off by the Japs,
422
00:40:04,720 --> 00:40:07,951
and we are given orders
to explore the possibilities
423
00:40:08,040 --> 00:40:11,237
of a new vital supply route
through Tibet to China."
424
00:40:11,920 --> 00:40:15,515
"This would involve passing through
the Himalayas,
425
00:40:15,600 --> 00:40:19,116
an impressive barrier
and a great difficulty for survey,
426
00:40:19,200 --> 00:40:21,396
but what an adventure.”
427
00:40:23,640 --> 00:40:26,154
TRAIN WHISTLE BLASTS
428
00:40:29,680 --> 00:40:33,674
NARRATOR: "The Darjeeling Himalayan
Railway, which was made in Glasgow,
429
00:40:33,760 --> 00:40:37,071
is the most fascinating railway
I have ever seen
430
00:40:37,160 --> 00:40:41,199
and is to take us on the first leg
of our trek across the Himalayas."
431
00:40:49,040 --> 00:40:51,839
"What a beautiful place Darjeeling is,
432
00:40:51,920 --> 00:40:55,197
situated under
the majestic Kangchenjunga."
433
00:40:57,160 --> 00:41:00,232
"From Darjeeling,
we set off on a four-week tour
434
00:41:00,320 --> 00:41:03,472
of Sikkim and Tibet, walking all the way."
435
00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:06,432
"An interesting journey,
436
00:41:06,520 --> 00:41:10,593
which included crossing raging torrents
several feet deep in the dark,
437
00:41:10,680 --> 00:41:15,072
an encounter with a leopard or tiger,
smoking tobacco mixed with yak dung
438
00:41:15,160 --> 00:41:17,993
and some very strange food and drink."
439
00:41:54,440 --> 00:41:56,477
"The highest point in our journey,
440
00:41:56,560 --> 00:41:59,313
and the lowest pass
between Sikkim and Tibet,
441
00:41:59,400 --> 00:42:02,233
is over 18,000ft above sea level."
442
00:42:06,240 --> 00:42:08,550
"It's tough going, even for the yaks."
443
00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:11,989
"Tricky, as well,
to get water at such an altitude."
444
00:42:14,840 --> 00:42:17,639
"By midday, we had reached the top."
445
00:42:17,720 --> 00:42:20,360
"The scenery was unbelievable."
446
00:42:20,440 --> 00:42:25,879
"The Cho Lhamo Lake underneath us,
a deepest blue in the brown sands,
447
00:42:25,960 --> 00:42:29,840
then the plains of Tibet,
stretching as far as you could see,
448
00:42:29,920 --> 00:42:32,958
with two snow-covered peaks
in the distance."
449
00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:41,238
"No problem about road building here,
except possibly the alfitude."
450
00:42:45,120 --> 00:42:49,830
"The other side was the exact opposite.
Snowfields as far as you could see."
451
00:43:07,360 --> 00:43:08,998
"What a thrill!"
452
00:43:09,080 --> 00:43:12,755
"We discovered vast areas of woods,
full of elephants
453
00:43:12,840 --> 00:43:16,117
that, in these days,
are worth thousands of pounds,
454
00:43:16,200 --> 00:43:19,591
virgin forests
as far as the eye could see."
455
00:43:19,680 --> 00:43:22,957
"This country is virtually unmapped,
456
00:43:23,040 --> 00:43:27,557
and we were probably the first Europeans
ever to have seen the place."
457
00:43:28,720 --> 00:43:31,519
"Here I sat amongst the prayer stones."
458
00:43:31,600 --> 00:43:36,231
"Perhaps they might do me some good
in the fighting that is inevitably to come
459
00:43:36,320 --> 00:43:37,719
now we've lost Burma.”
460
00:43:47,440 --> 00:43:50,910
REPORTER: The invasion started in 1942.
461
00:43:51,000 --> 00:43:55,119
On the ground and in the air,
the Japs had overwhelming superiority.
462
00:44:01,600 --> 00:44:04,433
REPORTER: They struck from the border
of Thailand
463
00:44:04,520 --> 00:44:06,477
toward the vital port of Rangoon.
464
00:44:07,640 --> 00:44:08,914
Rangoon fell.
465
00:44:14,920 --> 00:44:19,153
REPORTER: The enemy swept to
central Burma along the road to Mandalay
466
00:44:19,240 --> 00:44:22,312
where, by air and ground,
they destroyed that city.
467
00:44:27,560 --> 00:44:29,790
MAN: We got a hell of a beating.
468
00:44:29,880 --> 00:44:33,669
We got run out of Burma,
and it's humiliating as hell.
469
00:44:35,760 --> 00:44:39,116
NARRATOR: "As the enemy are pushing ahead
on all fronts,
470
00:44:39,200 --> 00:44:43,592
Army Headquarters are planning
a seaborne reinvasion of Burma.”
471
00:44:44,520 --> 00:44:46,989
"So we are sent on a secret mission
472
00:44:47,080 --> 00:44:50,277
several hundreds of miles
behind the enemy lines."
473
00:44:52,480 --> 00:44:56,917
"The country is not well mapped
and new maps will have to be prepared,
474
00:44:57,000 --> 00:44:59,435
despite it being overrun with Japs.”
475
00:45:05,560 --> 00:45:08,598
"A local boatman
took us to our destination.”
476
00:45:16,560 --> 00:45:20,872
"The fishermen here don't seem to know
that there is a war on."
477
00:45:31,680 --> 00:45:35,469
"The object of the mission
is to take very accurate beach levels
478
00:45:35,560 --> 00:45:37,312
and tide measurements.”
479
00:45:40,600 --> 00:45:45,151
"Our task was very difficult,
as the tide went out for many miles."
480
00:45:48,000 --> 00:45:50,514
"The mission lasted only a week,
481
00:45:50,600 --> 00:45:55,390
and just as well the Japs didn't stumble
on us, or I wouldn't be writing this."
482
00:45:58,720 --> 00:46:00,119
"And what a reward.”
483
00:46:00,200 --> 00:46:04,512
"Out on these deserted beaches
we swim in the waters of Bengal Bay."
484
00:46:07,160 --> 00:46:09,515
"These swims served a dual purpose,
485
00:46:09,600 --> 00:46:12,114
as we got our clothes washed
at the same time."
486
00:46:18,160 --> 00:46:20,754
"Here we are at Christmas once again,
487
00:46:20,840 --> 00:46:23,514
and the week has started out
on the wrong foot,
488
00:46:23,600 --> 00:46:27,878
as we had our first air-raid in Calcutta,
and have had one every night since."
489
00:46:28,880 --> 00:46:31,030
"Very little damage has been done however,
490
00:46:31,120 --> 00:46:34,397
and apart from the masses of people
that are leaving the place,
491
00:46:34,480 --> 00:46:35,834
life goes on as normal."
492
00:46:37,320 --> 00:46:39,277
"I have moved to the officers' hotel,
493
00:46:39,360 --> 00:46:41,158
and apart from the fact
494
00:46:41,240 --> 00:46:44,551
that the flea and bug population
in the beds is pretty high,
495
00:46:44,640 --> 00:46:45,994
we get on alright."
496
00:46:48,600 --> 00:46:51,479
"The men got their mail,
of which wasn't much."
497
00:46:51,560 --> 00:46:53,437
"I have already had mine."
498
00:46:53,520 --> 00:46:56,797
"Anne sent me her picture
to keep me company.”
499
00:46:56,880 --> 00:46:59,110
"At times, I get rather homesick."
500
00:47:03,320 --> 00:47:07,518
"A week at Blackwaterfoot
would certainly put me on my feet again."
501
00:47:08,640 --> 00:47:12,076
"All my old pals.
I wonder where they are now?"
502
00:47:17,720 --> 00:47:22,237
"How sad this New Year is,
I am stuck in an office job."
503
00:47:23,440 --> 00:47:26,114
"I feel, as must the majority
of other young men
504
00:47:26,200 --> 00:47:29,352
that are in offices these days,
totally fed-up."
505
00:47:30,560 --> 00:47:35,236
"Why am I being kept at a desk, surrounded
by all the comforts of Calcutta?"
506
00:47:36,520 --> 00:47:39,194
"I want to get going.
There is a job to be done."
507
00:47:41,240 --> 00:47:43,436
“Let us hope
that I get my socks pulled up,
508
00:47:43,520 --> 00:47:46,080
and if I do not go back
to the field on a mission,
509
00:47:46,160 --> 00:47:49,994
1 will be back with the Gurkhas,
getting all the dirt that is going."
510
00:47:53,600 --> 00:47:57,480
"After much deliberation,
I went in and saw Colonel Bromford."
511
00:47:58,720 --> 00:48:02,953
"You've probably heard that I want
to get back to my battalion, sir."
512
00:48:03,040 --> 00:48:06,237
"No, I hadn't heard.
Why do you want to get back?"
513
00:48:06,320 --> 00:48:11,190
"Because I am 100% Gurkha,
and I want to get into the fight."
514
00:48:11,280 --> 00:48:15,911
"It's only fools that want to fight,
Birrell," he replied.”
515
00:48:16,000 --> 00:48:17,673
"Yes, we all want to serve,
516
00:48:17,760 --> 00:48:22,038
but you are able to serve as well
with a theodolite as with a rifle.”
517
00:48:25,640 --> 00:48:27,278
"I will write to lan Wilson
518
00:48:27,360 --> 00:48:29,954
and ask him to give you
all the dangerous jobs."
519
00:48:31,160 --> 00:48:33,674
"I am sending you
to the Assam Burma front,
520
00:48:33,760 --> 00:48:36,718
where you are bound to have
a bit of excitement.”
521
00:48:44,120 --> 00:48:45,997
"The Burma Battle."
522
00:48:48,000 --> 00:48:52,597
I mean, when I knew him,
he was just a really cool grandad.
523
00:48:52,680 --> 00:48:54,751
He didn't...
I mean, he told me...
524
00:48:54,840 --> 00:48:58,549
I was young, I was a kid,
when I used to spend time with him,
525
00:48:58,640 --> 00:49:03,111
50, you know, at this point in his life,
he's like a completely different person
526
00:49:03,200 --> 00:49:04,599
to the person I knew.
527
00:49:04,680 --> 00:49:10,312
You flick through these pictures,
and there's celebrations,
528
00:49:10,400 --> 00:49:12,437
there's them having a lot of fun
529
00:49:12,520 --> 00:49:14,955
and then there's the complete opposite.
530
00:49:15,040 --> 00:49:17,350
There's dead bodies,
burning dead bodies.
531
00:49:18,520 --> 00:49:23,230
If he killed people, it's very hard
to know how he'd felt about that.
532
00:49:25,400 --> 00:49:29,439
Probably...
I guess a lot of it would be a shock.
533
00:50:17,040 --> 00:50:21,273
NARRATOR: "Imphal was not a healthy place
in which to be stationed.”
534
00:50:21,360 --> 00:50:24,990
"Aside from being incredibly cold
at this time of year,
535
00:50:25,080 --> 00:50:28,357
it's surrounded
by the Japanese Imperial Army."
536
00:50:32,960 --> 00:50:35,554
REPORTER: To many,
Burma is a land of legend,
537
00:50:35,640 --> 00:50:39,554
a shrine to Buddhism with its pagodas,
its fabled road to Mandalay,
538
00:50:39,640 --> 00:50:44,510
its colourful cities and villages,
its strange and picturesque people.
539
00:50:45,600 --> 00:50:48,479
To the allies, however,
who were fo fight there,
540
00:50:48,560 --> 00:50:52,110
Burma is a land of perpetual struggle
against nature,
541
00:50:52,200 --> 00:50:54,555
with jungles so thick armies can pass
542
00:50:54,640 --> 00:50:58,315
within a short distance of each other
without detection.
543
00:50:59,440 --> 00:51:03,035
Wide and turbulent rivers
that are almost impassable.
544
00:51:04,480 --> 00:51:09,190
It's a land of extreme climate,
intense cold, heat and monsoon.
545
00:51:09,280 --> 00:51:12,511
Rainfall as great as anywhere on Earth.
546
00:51:17,240 --> 00:51:20,551
Its swamps are a breeding ground
for malarial mosquitos.
547
00:51:20,640 --> 00:51:25,555
Cholera, beriberi, typhus, dysentery,
tropical fever and sores
548
00:51:25,640 --> 00:51:27,233
plague its inhabitants.
549
00:51:27,320 --> 00:51:30,039
This was the land
where we were fo fight.
550
00:51:57,800 --> 00:52:01,077
NARRATOR: "My good friend in the jungle
is Freddy Fort,
551
00:52:01,160 --> 00:52:05,438
who is about the best man anyone
could wish for as a brother officer.”
552
00:52:06,480 --> 00:52:10,155
"There is little to do in these days,
50 Freddy and I organise
553
00:52:10,240 --> 00:52:13,358
a company sports day
to keep up the men's morale.”
554
00:52:17,120 --> 00:52:19,316
"But now we have our first mission,
555
00:52:19,400 --> 00:52:24,873
and I am looking forward 100% to be out
in the open again, your own boss,
556
00:52:24,960 --> 00:52:28,032
absolutely free to come and go
where you please."
557
00:52:31,960 --> 00:52:35,590
"I have been given a small section
of Chins and Kachins."
558
00:52:36,200 --> 00:52:38,874
"Normally these fellows fight with spears,
559
00:52:38,960 --> 00:52:41,600
but Kumow is also
an excellent rifle shot."
560
00:52:47,160 --> 00:52:50,357
"This is Harry Birrell's ragtag army."
561
00:52:54,240 --> 00:52:56,311
"We walked down through the jungle
562
00:52:56,400 --> 00:53:00,280
in the hope of finding
Captain Bill Brown, the elephant man."
563
00:53:00,360 --> 00:53:02,351
"Elephants weigh a lot,
564
00:53:02,440 --> 00:53:06,354
and in this part of the world
they are worth their weight in gold."
565
00:53:08,920 --> 00:53:13,039
"Shakir, my subedar, whom I do not
think has ever seen one before,
566
00:53:13,120 --> 00:53:16,192
is thrilled to the back teeth
about riding them."
567
00:53:16,280 --> 00:53:19,716
"He's full of drive,
and a man with great personality.”
568
00:53:27,720 --> 00:53:29,233
"We are heading for Tamu,
569
00:53:29,320 --> 00:53:31,960
which Is situated deep
behind the enemy lines."
570
00:53:41,800 --> 00:53:44,553
"Our job is to
bring the old maps up-to-date,
571
00:53:45,280 --> 00:53:49,399
triangulate enemy gun positions,
fix trig stations for our gunners
572
00:53:49,480 --> 00:53:52,472
and survey possible sites
for new airfields.”
573
00:53:54,240 --> 00:53:58,120
"This means miles and miles of trailing
and theodolite work."
574
00:54:00,840 --> 00:54:04,834
"At Tamu, the jungle is thick
and there is only a dirt track road."
575
00:54:05,440 --> 00:54:08,671
"Having failed to locate the rest camp,
which had moved,
576
00:54:08,760 --> 00:54:12,719
we made a meal by the side of the road
and were asleep in the open."
577
00:54:16,520 --> 00:54:19,672
"The following morning,
we were surprised to find out
578
00:54:19,760 --> 00:54:22,195
that we had been sleeping in a minefield."
579
00:54:24,480 --> 00:54:28,269
"But as no-one stood on a mine
it didn't make much difference,
580
00:54:28,360 --> 00:54:30,954
and shortly after 8:00
we were on our way."
581
00:54:33,640 --> 00:54:35,916
"A report has to be sent back to base
582
00:54:36,000 --> 00:54:38,913
on the width and depth
of the Chindwin River
583
00:54:39,000 --> 00:54:43,358
to make sure that the Jeeps can cross it
before the monsoon arrives."
584
00:54:45,480 --> 00:54:49,599
"As radio silence has to be observed,
we rely heavily on heliographs
585
00:54:49,680 --> 00:54:51,671
to send our messages back to base."
586
00:55:04,320 --> 00:55:05,594
"Camp life isn't so bad."
587
00:55:07,920 --> 00:55:10,480
"All supplies were provided by the RAF."
588
00:55:11,160 --> 00:55:14,630
"Today, an airdrop delivered
corned beef for the lads."
589
00:55:14,720 --> 00:55:16,631
"But I pity the poor Sikhs."
590
00:55:17,640 --> 00:55:22,032
"Our Chins, however, know exactly
where to find roots that are edible
591
00:55:22,120 --> 00:55:24,760
and taste very much like corn on the cob."
592
00:55:37,240 --> 00:55:39,311
"Our time here has not been wasted,
593
00:55:39,400 --> 00:55:42,836
for we've prepared ten maps
for the Airfield Engineers,
594
00:55:42,920 --> 00:55:45,958
stretching halfway down
through central Burma."
595
00:55:48,960 --> 00:55:53,830
"There is a certain amount of satisfaction
watching the Spitfires and Hurricanes
596
00:55:53,920 --> 00:55:57,709
taking off from the first
of these hastily constructed strips
597
00:55:57,800 --> 00:56:00,394
to strafe bomb the Japs a few miles away."
598
00:56:13,440 --> 00:56:16,990
"Having received a most charming letter
from Colonel Ogilvie,
599
00:56:17,080 --> 00:56:20,038
I have decided to go up to Nepal
for my summer leave."
600
00:56:23,200 --> 00:56:26,750
"How I am locking forward
to entering this kingdom."
601
00:56:26,840 --> 00:56:31,437
"A forbidden place, for in these days
no outsider is allowed into Nepal,
602
00:56:31,520 --> 00:56:35,229
except by the invitation
of the maharajah."
603
00:56:37,920 --> 00:56:41,117
"Starting off in the bus,
we change to ponies."
604
00:56:44,120 --> 00:56:49,149
“The road is most hectic, and at times
it is impossible even to ride."
605
00:56:51,440 --> 00:56:54,114
"We pass some
marvellous scenery, though.”
606
00:56:55,320 --> 00:56:57,630
"It's rather like Assam,
607
00:56:57,720 --> 00:57:00,473
and in many ways
reminds me also of Scotland,
608
00:57:01,040 --> 00:57:04,078
except that the mountains
are many times higher."
609
00:57:05,160 --> 00:57:09,472
"After three days' march,
at last we see Kathmandu in the distance.”
610
00:57:26,440 --> 00:57:29,193
"The Nepalese
are very friendly to Britain,
611
00:57:29,280 --> 00:57:32,989
and there is a statue of Queen Victoria
in one of the streets."
612
00:57:34,040 --> 00:57:38,238
"The city is very dirty, though,
with a lot of poverty,
613
00:57:38,320 --> 00:57:41,836
and yet no fewer than 17 palaces.”
614
00:57:46,240 --> 00:57:49,835
"Apart from the Maharaja,
the only other car in the capital
615
00:57:49,920 --> 00:57:52,150
is owned by the British Ambassador."
616
00:57:52,240 --> 00:57:54,675
"But there are plenty of elephants.”
617
00:57:57,960 --> 00:58:00,793
"We were to stay with the maharajah
in his palace,
618
00:58:00,880 --> 00:58:03,998
and at the residency
we see the prime minister,
619
00:58:04,080 --> 00:58:07,596
‘His Majestic Minister',
arrive in his hat,
620
00:58:08,120 --> 00:58:10,589
which is supposed
to be worth around £2,000."
621
00:58:13,520 --> 00:58:18,720
"I feel myself rather fortunate,
being an officer in the survey,
622
00:58:18,800 --> 00:58:22,077
you got to know generals,
politicians and princesses,
623
00:58:22,160 --> 00:58:24,151
for they all wanted maps."
624
00:58:38,680 --> 00:58:41,672
"Thursday 11th September 1943."
625
00:58:41,760 --> 00:58:45,435
"This morning we are greeted
with good news over the radio."
626
00:58:45,520 --> 00:58:47,318
"Italy has fallen."
627
00:58:50,880 --> 00:58:55,113
"The celebrations coincide
with the festival of Indra Jatra
628
00:58:55,200 --> 00:58:57,316
and a terrific march through the city."
629
00:59:06,920 --> 00:59:08,558
"What a leave this has been."
630
00:59:08,640 --> 00:59:12,599
"Things I have seen,
splendour and happiness in this country
631
00:59:12,680 --> 00:59:15,911
that cannot possibly be seen
elsewhere around India.”
632
00:59:16,800 --> 00:59:18,279
"How hard itis to think
633
00:59:18,360 --> 00:59:21,876
that by next week I will probably
be back at the front in Burma,
634
00:59:21,960 --> 00:59:24,395
when all here is so friendly
and at peace."
635
00:59:41,320 --> 00:59:46,349
"We were inking up the plane tables when
there was a burst of sub-machine fire."
636
00:59:47,840 --> 00:59:51,276
"At first I did not realise
what had happened,
637
00:59:51,360 --> 00:59:54,432
then there was a yell for me
from one of the tents."
638
00:59:55,200 --> 00:59:58,909
NARRATOR: “I rushed in and found
one of my sepoys, Babu Lal,
639
00:59:59,000 --> 01:00:02,595
a young fellow,
with blood pouring from his arm and leg.”
640
01:00:02,680 --> 01:00:05,513
"Three bullet shots had gone through him."
641
01:00:06,640 --> 01:00:09,280
"We got the first dressing
onto his wounds
642
01:00:09,360 --> 01:00:12,000
and rushed him round
to the field hospital."
643
01:00:12,840 --> 01:00:15,070
"There was a Scots captain in charge
644
01:00:15,160 --> 01:00:19,472
and he took Babu Lal's blood pressure
and pulse, then turned to me."
645
01:00:19,560 --> 01:00:24,270
"He is suffering from severe
physical shock and is very weak.
646
01:00:24,360 --> 01:00:27,751
If he gets any weaker,
we will give him some plasma.”
647
01:00:27,840 --> 01:00:30,639
"It was a relief to know
that he was not dead."
648
01:00:30,720 --> 01:00:34,634
"But then he broke into a low chant
and told me he was dying."
649
01:00:34,720 --> 01:00:38,350
"My Urdu was not good enough
to tell him what I wanted,
650
01:00:38,440 --> 01:00:42,832
but I told him not to be foolish,
that only weak men died young."
651
01:00:44,880 --> 01:00:49,829
"I waited some time by his stretcher,
wishing the surgeon would hurry."
652
01:00:49,920 --> 01:00:52,309
"It was an unpleasant task."
653
01:00:53,080 --> 01:00:55,356
"There were two little Burmese children
654
01:00:55,440 --> 01:00:58,876
that had been badly burnt
by a phosphor bomb this morning,
655
01:00:58,960 --> 01:01:04,160
so much so that when the bandages
were put on they caught fire."
656
01:01:05,440 --> 01:01:08,114
"All their skin
had completely vanished
657
01:01:08,200 --> 01:01:10,874
and only their miserable yells
could be heard."
658
01:01:13,600 --> 01:01:17,912
"When I came back to the camp,
I tried to find out what had happened.”
659
01:01:18,000 --> 01:01:22,039
"It had been Kusal Singh
who had accidently set off his Sten gun,
660
01:01:22,120 --> 01:01:24,999
and the bullets had gone into
the adjoining tent."
661
01:01:26,320 --> 01:01:29,312
"Though I was annoyed with him,
I pitied him greatly."
662
01:01:30,800 --> 01:01:35,510
"A dismal feeling spread over me, so
I went and sat by the side of a stream.”
663
01:01:44,640 --> 01:01:48,315
"That night, I prayed very hard
that Babu Lal might live."
664
01:01:50,200 --> 01:01:53,989
"The first thing I did in the moming
was to go to the hospital,
665
01:01:54,080 --> 01:01:56,037
where the same captain met me."
666
01:01:56,120 --> 01:01:59,954
"I'm so glad you came,”
he said in a low voice."
667
01:02:00,960 --> 01:02:04,112
"Your sepoy passed away
shortly after the operation,
668
01:02:04,640 --> 01:02:06,995
he seemed to have lost
the will to live.”
669
01:02:08,040 --> 01:02:11,510
"It was a great shock to me,
but then war is cruel
670
01:02:11,600 --> 01:02:16,436
and this fellow, who had been bright
and gay in the morning, now lay still."
671
01:02:20,760 --> 01:02:24,071
"In the evening, we dug his grave
by the side of the river."
672
01:02:25,160 --> 01:02:26,355
"I tried to give service,
673
01:02:26,440 --> 01:02:29,512
but was not exactly able
to put my thoughts into words."
674
01:02:30,080 --> 01:02:34,358
"So Babu's friends, the ones he had
in this area, laid him down."
675
01:02:35,760 --> 01:02:39,071
"Only silence prevailed as we all
put some earth on his body."
676
01:02:41,280 --> 01:02:45,717
"The party was called to attention,
we saluted, then broke off."
677
01:02:56,320 --> 01:02:58,152
NARRATOR: "Trouble in Manipur."
678
01:03:00,400 --> 01:03:02,437
"When we advance..."
679
01:03:04,200 --> 01:03:07,716
"What a phrase,
and how fed-up I am of hearing it."
680
01:03:11,240 --> 01:03:13,117
"One day we get the word to move
681
01:03:13,200 --> 01:03:16,318
and a few minutes later
itis counter-ordered."
682
01:03:22,280 --> 01:03:26,751
"The Japs who, up to date, have been
carrying out an encircling movement,
683
01:03:26,840 --> 01:03:29,354
are, at present, only four miles distant."
684
01:03:32,600 --> 01:03:36,559
"By the end of the week,
things have reached a pretty stage,
685
01:03:36,640 --> 01:03:39,519
for we hear that Tamu and Tiddim
have both been cut
686
01:03:39,600 --> 01:03:43,150
and the enemy are around the hills
of our corps headquarters.”
687
01:03:44,280 --> 01:03:48,513
REPORTER: Early in March, the Japs made
an attempt to regain the initiative.
688
01:03:48,600 --> 01:03:52,070
They moved three divisions
to the Chindwin River, crossed it,
689
01:03:52,160 --> 01:03:55,596
and struck at Imphal in India
in a powerful pincer movement
690
01:03:55,680 --> 01:03:58,115
aimed at cutting the Bengal Assam Railway
691
01:03:58,200 --> 01:04:00,999
carrying supplies
to the allied troops in Burma.
692
01:04:01,080 --> 01:04:05,916
Headlines all over the world blaze the
news that Jap armies were on Indian soil.
693
01:04:06,000 --> 01:04:07,877
That India had been invaded.
694
01:04:23,920 --> 01:04:27,709
NARRATOR: "A couple of weeks have passed
and the situation,
695
01:04:27,800 --> 01:04:32,351
instead of getting better,
has probably taken a turn for the worse."
696
01:04:32,440 --> 01:04:35,592
"There is an estimated enemy
of 32,000 around us."
697
01:04:37,160 --> 01:04:41,916
"We are within range of their guns,
completely isolated from the outer world
698
01:04:42,000 --> 01:04:44,719
and expecting the attack any time now,
699
01:04:44,800 --> 01:04:48,156
as there are a lot of moonlit nights.”
700
01:04:50,200 --> 01:04:54,398
REPROTER: By April, one Japanese force
was eight miles from Imphal.
701
01:04:54,480 --> 01:04:59,156
While another had advanced on Kohima.
They cut the roads surrounding Kohima,
702
01:04:59,240 --> 01:05:02,710
including the Manipur Road,
the 14th Army's supply line.
703
01:05:05,680 --> 01:05:07,512
NARRATOR: "The siege stiffens."
704
01:05:12,080 --> 01:05:15,869
"Month after month,
all this waiting, never getting out.”
705
01:05:22,240 --> 01:05:26,757
"Now the rains are coming, it is going
to be a mad race to see what happens.”
706
01:05:26,840 --> 01:05:30,834
"The Japs must attack in the next few days
or else starve,
707
01:05:31,200 --> 01:05:35,239
and in the next few weeks, possibly two,
we must attack them
708
01:05:35,320 --> 01:05:38,438
or our ration problem
will become pretty acute."
709
01:05:39,680 --> 01:05:42,832
"We will probably see
some pretty fierce fighting."
710
01:05:45,680 --> 01:05:49,150
"A deserter returned yesterday,
which means a lot more trouble,
711
01:05:49,240 --> 01:05:52,278
as itis considered desertion
in the face of the enemy
712
01:05:52,360 --> 01:05:53,873
and is punishable by death.”
713
01:06:00,480 --> 01:06:04,599
"By May, it was obvious the Japs
had dug themselves in pretty well
714
01:06:04,680 --> 01:06:07,354
and that the rains
would not drive them back."
715
01:06:07,920 --> 01:06:12,391
"I have personally picked out the cream
of the company to come out with me."
716
01:06:12,480 --> 01:06:15,711
"Twelve of the finest men
that any officer could wish for."
717
01:06:16,480 --> 01:06:18,869
"Six Chins and six Gurkhas,
718
01:06:18,960 --> 01:06:22,316
a crowd that will be able to make
a very good account of themselves
719
01:06:22,400 --> 01:06:24,550
if we happen to run into a bit of action.”
720
01:06:49,640 --> 01:06:51,313
"By the time we reached Tamu,
721
01:06:51,400 --> 01:06:54,711
the whole town had been bombed
beyond recognition.”
722
01:06:56,160 --> 01:06:59,073
"Wherever we looked,
there was destruction.”
723
01:06:59,160 --> 01:07:02,790
"Worst still were the dugouts
where the Japs had fallen."
724
01:07:03,800 --> 01:07:09,000
"They had either been killed or died
of starvation, it is difficult to say.”
725
01:07:09,080 --> 01:07:13,631
"But almost every hole in the ground
had its dead Jap in it,
726
01:07:13,720 --> 01:07:17,429
picked clean of every bit of flesh
by ants or maggots."
727
01:07:20,080 --> 01:07:23,232
"That evening,
I went out with Burridge on a recce,
728
01:07:23,320 --> 01:07:26,312
and in the jungle
saw more distorted bodies."
729
01:07:26,400 --> 01:07:29,995
"Burridge went up to one of them
and looked in the pockets."
730
01:07:30,080 --> 01:07:33,436
"There was a picture of a very beautiful
Japanese girl
731
01:07:33,520 --> 01:07:35,909
who looked intelligent and smart."
732
01:07:36,440 --> 01:07:37,999
"We felt rather sorry."
733
01:07:38,880 --> 01:07:40,917
"Perhaps she was his wife."
734
01:07:41,440 --> 01:07:43,716
"The wife of this bit of dirt and dust
735
01:07:43,800 --> 01:07:47,759
that had been a Japanese soldier
only a short time previously."
736
01:07:52,960 --> 01:07:57,352
"Reports are coming in from all sides
that there are so many dead
737
01:07:57,440 --> 01:08:01,593
that they have to bury them with
bulldozers and mechanical excavators."
738
01:08:11,040 --> 01:08:12,678
THUNDER RUMBLES, RAIN POURS
739
01:08:12,760 --> 01:08:16,993
NARRATOR: "Today, whilst listening
to the rain on the roof of my tent,
740
01:08:17,080 --> 01:08:22,393
my mind drifted back to childhood days,
old girlfriends
741
01:08:22,480 --> 01:08:25,279
and happier times
before all this madness began.”
742
01:08:38,200 --> 01:08:45,231
♪ There's a tree in the meadow
743
01:08:45,320 --> 01:08:50,793
2 With a stream drifting by
744
01:08:50,880 --> 01:08:56,398
I And carved upon that free I see
745
01:08:56,480 --> 01:09:01,316
7" love you fill I die" ♪
746
01:09:03,320 --> 01:09:04,594
"What is it?"
747
01:09:04,680 --> 01:09:07,957
"Apprehension, grief, or just bad morale?"
748
01:09:09,040 --> 01:09:11,793
"Oris it homesickness,
749
01:09:11,880 --> 01:09:17,398
the loss of freedom that the front line
dictates, no fires or lights after dark,
750
01:09:17,480 --> 01:09:19,994
the continual noise of explosives?"
751
01:09:20,080 --> 01:09:21,673
EXPLOSIONS
752
01:09:21,760 --> 01:09:24,479
"But this must all end somewhere."
753
01:09:24,560 --> 01:09:28,679
7 By that tree in the meadow
754
01:09:28,760 --> 01:09:33,436
7 My thoughts always lie
755
01:09:33,520 --> 01:09:35,909
♪ And where'er you go
756
01:09:36,000 --> 01:09:39,675
7 You'll always know
757
01:09:39,760 --> 01:09:49,238
71love you till I die ♪
758
01:10:02,000 --> 01:10:04,355
WOMAN: OK.
- It's the old scrapbook, Carina, yeah?
759
01:10:07,840 --> 01:10:12,437
- Right from Burma to...
- India.
760
01:10:12,520 --> 01:10:14,750
- That's you cutting films.
- Yeah.
761
01:10:21,520 --> 01:10:27,038
CARINA: Harry stored all these films
in these big, now rusty old trunks.
762
01:10:31,400 --> 01:10:32,356
Wow.
763
01:10:32,440 --> 01:10:36,991
DAD: Dad always said, "This is
a very special and personal collection,
764
01:10:37,080 --> 01:10:39,151
you can't just hand it over to anybody,"
765
01:10:39,240 --> 01:10:42,631
so it's great we're doing this
after so many years.
766
01:10:42,720 --> 01:10:43,869
CARINA: Yeah.
767
01:10:45,600 --> 01:10:46,999
DAD: Right.
768
01:10:51,400 --> 01:10:52,799
DAD: That's solid.
769
01:10:59,600 --> 01:11:00,874
- There we go.
- Yeah.
770
01:11:04,160 --> 01:11:09,189
WHIRRING
771
01:11:25,200 --> 01:11:28,113
CARINA: Four hundred fims
in six rusty boxes.
772
01:11:28,200 --> 01:11:31,397
A lifetime of memories
all spliced together.
773
01:12:05,760 --> 01:12:08,513
MAN: A camera is not allowed
into the church,
774
01:12:08,600 --> 01:12:12,753
but a record of the couple
signing the register is obtained.
775
01:12:12,840 --> 01:12:15,309
The knot has been tied.
776
01:12:15,400 --> 01:12:19,712
CARINA: In 1953, Harry married
the love of his life.
777
01:12:19,800 --> 01:12:24,590
It wasn't Molly or Barbara,
or even Anne Craig.
778
01:12:25,600 --> 01:12:28,353
My grandma's name was Joan.
779
01:12:33,040 --> 01:12:37,716
MAN: The dreaded moment for the groom
arrives. It's time for his speech.
780
01:12:37,800 --> 01:12:41,031
Friends of ours,
I would like to thank the Melvins
781
01:12:41,120 --> 01:12:45,034
for giving me
their most cherished possession, Joan.
782
01:12:45,120 --> 01:12:47,509
APPLAUSE
783
01:12:47,600 --> 01:12:49,671
- That alright?
- Yes, it was very good.
784
01:12:49,760 --> 01:12:51,990
- I wasn't too loud?
- No dear, it was lovely.
785
01:12:52,080 --> 01:12:56,199
MAN: The bride leaves the hotel,
followed by her husband,
786
01:12:56,280 --> 01:12:58,191
who is thrown her.
787
01:13:15,920 --> 01:13:18,389
CARINA: A few months later...
788
01:13:20,080 --> 01:13:21,400
..my dad arrived.
789
01:13:23,120 --> 01:13:25,839
Followed, two years later, by Anne.
790
01:13:29,640 --> 01:13:31,153
Then finally Aunt Judy.
791
01:13:49,680 --> 01:13:52,991
God bless Daddy and Mummy,
God bless Beano,
792
01:13:53,080 --> 01:13:55,959
God bless Sheila,
God bless Aunt Mary,
793
01:13:56,040 --> 01:13:57,997
God bless Granny and Grandpa.
794
01:13:58,080 --> 01:13:59,400
Amen.
795
01:14:02,120 --> 01:14:05,875
A big jump to make sure
the springs are normal.
796
01:14:46,000 --> 01:14:49,959
FIREWORKS BANG AND CRACKLE
797
01:14:59,720 --> 01:15:03,509
CARINA: These were the moments
of Harry's life he could record.
798
01:15:03,600 --> 01:15:05,511
I wonder about the ones he didn't
799
01:15:06,560 --> 01:15:10,474
I remember getting an invitation
to his 70th birthday party,
800
01:15:10,560 --> 01:15:14,190
and I hadn't seen Harry for a year or two
at that point,
801
01:15:15,440 --> 01:15:19,559
and discovered
that his sight had deteriorated badly.
802
01:15:19,640 --> 01:15:23,759
He was more or less crawling about
on the floor to get his film.
803
01:15:23,840 --> 01:15:26,195
He could still do some editing
804
01:15:26,280 --> 01:15:30,274
by having his face
almost touching the monitor screen.
805
01:15:32,120 --> 01:15:37,194
But the idea of somebody
who loved filming, loved watching fims
806
01:15:37,720 --> 01:15:41,873
not being able to see them properly
was really quite a hardship.
807
01:15:44,600 --> 01:15:46,750
CARINA: Harry died in 1993.
808
01:15:47,800 --> 01:15:50,872
He was 74 and I was 8.
809
01:15:51,640 --> 01:15:55,429
That image I have of Grandad
when we were little
810
01:15:55,520 --> 01:15:58,114
as a loveable, frail, blind old man,
811
01:15:58,200 --> 01:16:02,080
is so different to ones in the films
and the albums of his youth.
812
01:16:04,520 --> 01:16:08,036
The last diary he wrote was in 1945,
813
01:16:08,120 --> 01:16:10,031
deep in the jungles of Burma.
814
01:16:11,520 --> 01:16:15,400
NARRATOR: "A new year dawns,
but what would it hold in store?"
815
01:16:22,920 --> 01:16:28,154
"On the 2nd of January, Freddy and I
got orders to go out into the field,
816
01:16:28,240 --> 01:16:31,551
and for some reason it was with
a deep foreboding feeling
817
01:16:31,640 --> 01:16:37,079
that we were heading for disaster
and that few of us would ever come back."
818
01:16:44,640 --> 01:16:46,517
"The road down was dreadful.”
819
01:16:46,600 --> 01:16:49,956
"It was probably the worst road
I have ever been on."
820
01:16:50,040 --> 01:16:54,273
"Narrow, dusty and bumpy
for a full 80 miles,
821
01:16:54,360 --> 01:16:58,399
on through a series of streams
up to the axle of Freddy's Jeep."
822
01:17:00,360 --> 01:17:01,634
"Then into the jungle,
823
01:17:01,720 --> 01:17:05,873
which was dark and depressing
with the remnants of the Jap camps
824
01:17:05,960 --> 01:17:10,830
and frightened and homeless villagers,
who are the real sufferers in this war."
825
01:17:10,920 --> 01:17:14,231
"This is the furthest
we have been into Burma yet."
826
01:17:14,320 --> 01:17:17,233
"And it was here
that I ran out of cine film."
827
01:17:17,320 --> 01:17:19,152
"There is no more in the area.”
828
01:17:26,200 --> 01:17:29,511
CARINA: "That evening, Freddy and I
watched the Douglases
829
01:17:29,600 --> 01:17:32,114
fly over the base camp
and drop their supplies.”
830
01:17:32,640 --> 01:17:36,599
"I had just gone to bed, when an orderly
arrived with a note from command."
831
01:17:36,680 --> 01:17:38,671
“I quickly got dressed
and went around to the office,
832
01:17:38,760 --> 01:17:40,990
where I was met
by Jock Turnbull."
833
01:17:41,520 --> 01:17:43,716
NARRATOR: "I'm glad
you've come old fellow,
834
01:17:43,800 --> 01:17:45,313
for a message has just come
835
01:17:45,400 --> 01:17:49,280
that there are 800 Japs about nine miles
from here heading due north,
836
01:17:49,360 --> 01:17:51,237
and from their present position,
837
01:17:51,320 --> 01:17:53,880
they will arrive here
in about two hours' time."
838
01:17:55,160 --> 01:17:57,390
CARINA: "The night passed slowly."
839
01:17:57,480 --> 01:18:01,394
"I kept myself awake with
a pistol under the ground sheet.”
840
01:18:01,480 --> 01:18:05,314
"At around five o'clock,
they started firing all around us."
841
01:18:05,400 --> 01:18:07,994
"Machine guns, grenades and rifle fire."
842
01:18:08,080 --> 01:18:10,356
"And then the artillery opened up.”
843
01:18:10,440 --> 01:18:13,671
NARRATOR: "For the next three hours,
all hell was let loose."
844
01:18:14,760 --> 01:18:18,196
"The first plane
dropped a stick of bombs on the strip."
845
01:18:18,280 --> 01:18:22,956
"They hit some trucks, and there was soon
a pretty fierce fire burning."
846
01:18:23,040 --> 01:18:26,999
"We were completely out in the open,
in a most exposed position,
847
01:18:27,080 --> 01:18:30,198
so we ran for cover under
one of the grading machines."
848
01:18:30,280 --> 01:18:32,749
"What a mistake we had made, though,
849
01:18:32,840 --> 01:18:35,514
for, in our haste,
we had run nearer the enemy."
850
01:18:36,640 --> 01:18:40,474
"By this time,
our field coy was attacking.”
851
01:18:40,560 --> 01:18:43,313
"The Japs didn't have a chance,
and we watched them
852
01:18:43,400 --> 01:18:45,198
jumping out of their bunkers,
853
01:18:45,280 --> 01:18:48,750
holding grenades to themselves and blowing
themselves up."
854
01:18:48,840 --> 01:18:52,674
CARINA: "When things calmed,
I found Freddy in a cold sweat.”
855
01:18:52,760 --> 01:18:54,990
"He was sure that the Japs had got us,
856
01:18:55,080 --> 01:18:58,835
as others, a short distance away,
had not been so lucky."
857
01:19:05,200 --> 01:19:09,592
GUNFIRE AND EXPLOSIONS
858
01:19:29,120 --> 01:19:32,556
NARRATOR: "We are now with
the advance party heading for Pegu,
859
01:19:32,640 --> 01:19:37,077
and I have managed to scrounge some fim
from one of the camera units near here."
860
01:19:44,400 --> 01:19:46,550
"The Army is victorious, and it appears
861
01:19:46,640 --> 01:19:48,995
things in Europe
will soon be over as well."
862
01:20:03,280 --> 01:20:07,513
"Freddy Fort was really the fellow
I had known the longest."
863
01:20:07,600 --> 01:20:11,673
"Needless to say, we did not find it easy
to say goodbye to one another.”
864
01:20:13,200 --> 01:20:17,273
"Freddy is one of the finest pals
that anyone could possibly wish for."
865
01:20:18,160 --> 01:20:22,040
"My only hope is that we might meet again
at some time in the future.”
866
01:20:25,320 --> 01:20:26,515
Its...
867
01:20:26,600 --> 01:20:27,715
Sorry.
868
01:20:27,800 --> 01:20:29,120
CARINA CHUCKLES
869
01:20:34,520 --> 01:20:38,309
CAROLINE: It's one thing seeing somebody
in a photograph,
870
01:20:38,400 --> 01:20:43,076
and then, when you see them on a film,
it's different, isn't it?
871
01:20:43,160 --> 01:20:47,279
CARINA: Have you seen footage before
of him around that sort of age?
872
01:20:47,360 --> 01:20:48,430
- No.
- Never?
873
01:20:48,520 --> 01:20:51,911
No, only in photographs.
Only in photographs, yeah.
874
01:20:52,000 --> 01:20:53,070
Yeah.
875
01:20:57,080 --> 01:20:58,878
CARINA: Makes it very real.
876
01:20:58,960 --> 01:21:01,554
CAROLINE: I think it brings them alive.
877
01:21:01,640 --> 01:21:03,711
How you remember them, I guess.
878
01:21:04,800 --> 01:21:07,997
CAROLINE: It brings memories back.
CARINA: Mm.
879
01:21:13,000 --> 01:21:16,880
CARINA: So, did your dad tell you much
about that time in life?
880
01:21:16,960 --> 01:21:19,713
No, no.
He only said a couple of things.
881
01:21:19,800 --> 01:21:23,350
- I think he found it quite horrendous.
- Yeah.
882
01:21:23,440 --> 01:21:26,876
Do you know if he kept in touch
with anyone, or had friends
883
01:21:26,960 --> 01:21:30,999
- from that time in life?
- That period, I really don't know about.
884
01:21:31,080 --> 01:21:33,833
Which is a shame.
When you get old, you think,
885
01:21:33,920 --> 01:21:36,878
-"l wish I asked more questions."
- Yeah.
886
01:21:38,800 --> 01:21:40,871
NARRATOR: "The Last Few Miles."
887
01:21:50,480 --> 01:21:54,269
"Thanks to Four Corps' push,
Rangoon is free."
888
01:21:56,080 --> 01:22:01,439
"Through adventure, trouble, boredom,
air-raids, shells and bullets,
889
01:22:01,520 --> 01:22:05,036
we have arrived here safely,
with the loss of only one man
890
01:22:05,120 --> 01:22:07,191
and the wounding of another.”
891
01:22:08,960 --> 01:22:12,476
"Some of the troops in Burma
have had an absolute hellish time,
892
01:22:12,560 --> 01:22:14,517
so I think we've been rather lucky."
893
01:22:14,600 --> 01:22:16,511
"We've seen the whole country,
894
01:22:16,600 --> 01:22:19,877
as we've literally walked all the way
from Imphal."
895
01:22:25,320 --> 01:22:29,200
"Yesterday, Lord Louis Mountbatten
held a victory parade."
896
01:22:29,280 --> 01:22:34,070
"Among the fighting troops,
old Johnny Gurkha got the biggest cheer.”
897
01:22:34,160 --> 01:22:38,870
"They were by far the smartest
yet modest troops in the whole parade.”
898
01:22:38,960 --> 01:22:42,669
"Handsome, one would say,
with their Mongolian features."
899
01:22:44,720 --> 01:22:48,315
"The Gurkha
is the world's finest soldier.”
900
01:22:56,920 --> 01:23:01,869
"Dear Mother, seeing a place always gives
you a better idea of what it is like,
901
01:23:01,960 --> 01:23:05,316
so let me show you the views from Rangoon
that I have."
902
01:23:06,400 --> 01:23:11,713
"The first picture is one that I took of
myself after my identity card was stolen.”
903
01:23:11,800 --> 01:23:16,476
"You will see all my hair Is still there,
or, should I say, quite a lot of it."
904
01:23:17,960 --> 01:23:19,917
"Our accommodation is perfect,
905
01:23:20,000 --> 01:23:23,789
and there is a breeze
blowing through my room the whle time."
906
01:23:25,000 --> 01:23:27,833
"I take a bath in my tiled bathroom."
907
01:23:31,120 --> 01:23:33,680
"And so this form of utopia goes on
908
01:23:33,760 --> 01:23:36,639
after the many months of hardship
in the jungle."
909
01:23:39,000 --> 01:23:41,230
"The Japs have decided to pack up."
910
01:23:42,120 --> 01:23:45,033
"The war is over
and the excitement is dead."
911
01:23:54,360 --> 01:23:59,230
"MacDonald of the Airfield Engineers
came down with a couple of other fellows.”
912
01:23:59,320 --> 01:24:04,156
"He had tales of woe to tell,
how old Sachwell had gone mad
913
01:24:04,240 --> 01:24:07,153
and Butler was rapidly going mad,
aswell"
914
01:24:08,520 --> 01:24:12,309
"It seems a common and natural reaction
of these fellows,
915
01:24:12,400 --> 01:24:14,960
after all the exhilaration of the battle."
916
01:24:16,880 --> 01:24:22,637
"I, too, have lost my drive and seem
to have little or no interest in life.
917
01:24:33,000 --> 01:24:35,560
"The Army is an evil necessity,
918
01:24:35,640 --> 01:24:38,792
but thankfully I have not so much longer
to do now."
919
01:24:40,800 --> 01:24:43,314
"I will be very sorry to leave my men."
920
01:24:46,680 --> 01:24:50,435
"How I will settle down in civilian life
remains to be seen.”
921
01:24:52,240 --> 01:24:54,675
"I'm sure it will seem dull at first."
922
01:25:51,200 --> 01:25:55,114
CARINA: When the war ended,
Harry took his time coming home.
923
01:26:01,960 --> 01:26:04,395
He was posted to Singapore for a year,
924
01:26:04,480 --> 01:26:08,838
and one of the last diary entries
is about buying a cine projector there
925
01:26:08,920 --> 01:26:11,594
and putting on a show for some of his men.
926
01:26:13,280 --> 01:26:17,751
NARRATOR: "How these fellows
loved to see themselves on the screen,
927
01:26:17,840 --> 01:26:21,037
and what an applause went up
when the film finished."
928
01:26:31,200 --> 01:26:36,229
CARINA: After Singapore, he took a cook's
tour back through the Far and Middle East.
929
01:26:37,240 --> 01:26:41,234
It seems he wanted to swim
in as many different seas as he could.
930
01:27:10,920 --> 01:27:15,517
My granddad was not a war hero.
Whatever a war hero is.
931
01:27:16,600 --> 01:27:20,958
As far as I can tell from the diaries,
the only time he fired his gun in anger
932
01:27:21,040 --> 01:27:22,110
was at a large snake
933
01:27:22,200 --> 01:27:26,512
that gave him a scare falling from a tree
in the jungles of Burma.
934
01:27:26,600 --> 01:27:30,150
In 1947, he made it home, alive,
935
01:27:31,240 --> 01:27:33,914
much to the relief
of his family and friends.
936
01:27:54,960 --> 01:27:59,511
CARINA: At the end of his life,
Harry wrote a message to his children.
937
01:28:02,320 --> 01:28:06,791
NARRATOR: "You come into this world
with nothing and leave with nothing."
938
01:28:06,880 --> 01:28:09,713
"But to you, our children,
I leave these fims
939
01:28:09,800 --> 01:28:11,757
as a memory of the way we lived."
940
01:28:12,960 --> 01:28:16,669
“I am now growing old.
This is the new Glasgow.
941
01:28:17,840 --> 01:28:19,990
"Look back on your memories,
942
01:28:20,080 --> 01:28:23,436
but there is so much in your life
to look forward to."
943
01:29:52,600 --> 01:29:58,437
Subtitles by Screen Language, 2019
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