Mumbles Community Radio: Bill Barrington, MBE, interviewed by Clive Saddington in the studio. Bill is in his 90’s; he tells his life story living in Mumbles and Swansea, and his extraordinary memories of the Second World War.

[00:00:50] Personal Details: Bill Barrington (BB), aged 91, b1921, interviewed by Clive Suddington of Radio Mumbles, "Mumbles Memories". [00:01:25] Newton: Memories of Newton childhood, 1920s. [00:01:44] Education: Oystermouth Boys School, started before age of four. [00:02:30] Education: Children's solo journeys to and from schools. [00:03:18] Education: Teachers. [00:03:44] Education: Move to Upper ("Big") School until 11, at Oystermouth. [00:03:59] Education: Opinions of education. [00:04:10] Education: Swansea Grammar School, post Eleven Plus, 1932. [00:04:44] Transport: Mumbles Train to school (electrified 1929). [00:05:02] Transport: Mumbles Train memories, steam. [00:06:06] Retail: Mumbles shops in 1920s & 1930s, locally owned. [00:07:32] Transport: Electric train "much faster" than steam. [00:07:57] Transport: Train from Oystermouth Square to Slip (St Helens), tram to Craddock St, with same season ticket. [00:08:59] Education: Wednesday finish 12.30; Saturday am lessons. [00:09:33] Education: Curriculum: French, German, physics, chemistry. [00:09:56] Retail: Woodleys butchers, Waterloo St, "Canterbury lamb" - frozen, NZ, 2/3d to 2/5d a shoulder. [00:11:13] Diet: Use of meat joints over 4 days. [00:11:28] Personal Details: Mother ex-ladies maid, father a gardener "for the gentry" - Gilbertsons. [00:12:14] Botany: Fruit & vegetable growing. [00:12:35] Botany: Imported species in Mumbles. [00:14:34] Education: Left school at age 17. [00:15:58] Adverts: Until 18m 57s. [00:19:39] War: News of war on radio, 3/9/39. [00:20:14] Army: BB in TA May 1939, called up on outbreak of war. [00:21:10] War: Phony War. [00:21:21] Army: Postings - basic training, Carmarthen, aged 18. [00:22:08] War: BB's father in Home Guard/LDV in Mumbles. [00:22:37] Army: 3-4 months Carmarthen, basic training. [00:22:47] Army: Postings - Usk; Scotland (Dunblaine). [00:23:52] War: Algiers amphibious assault, 1942 [TORCH, 1st Army]. [00:25:28] Disease: BB malaria, hospital a month, missed Sicily landing. [00:25:55] Army: BB in 3 Rgt RHA, 7th Armoured Division, the "Desert Rats", at Salerno. [00:26:43] War: River crossings. [00:26:56] War: November '43 came home for OVERLORD. [00:27:42] War: NEPTUNE, Arromanches. [00:28:37] War: D-Day experience. [00:29:06] War: Fear, responsibility. [00:29:20] Army: BB senior NCO at Rgt HQ. [00:29:40] Army: Parochial responsibilities of a senior NCO. [00:30:00] Army: BB a sergeant aged 19. [00:30:54] Boy Scouts: Training very useful for army. [00:31:32] War: Battles: Caen, France, Belgium. [00:32:46] War: Strategy - USSR allowed to take Berlin, politics, 21 AG goes north. [00:33:25] War: Berlin occupation. [00:34:37] War: Belsen. [00:35:10] War: Attitude to Germans. [00:35:53] Army: 1946 demob. [00:36:12] Adverts: Until 39m 34s. [00:39:53] Personal Details: BB courtship, marriage 1944 (embarkation leave). [00:41:18] Industry: Employers compelled to re-employ demobbed for 6 months - reluctant. [00:41:41] Education: Government training courses. [00:42:29] Army: BB in Signals - No1 Radio Set. [00:43:26] Transport: End of Mumbles Train, 1960. [00:45:27] Transport: Rationale for Mumbles Train ending. [00:46:20] Transport: Mumbles Train passenger analysis - dock workers, tourists in summer, priority for local passengers. [00:47:34] Transport: Community element to Mumbles Railway. [00:48:57] Transport: Free travel for police on Mumbles Railway & United Welsh buses (not on SWT). [00:49:29] Transport: Swan buses, Bristol-Swansea route. [00:49:56] Boy Scouts: Thursday night, Saturdays. [00:50:28] Leisure: Tivoli Cinema, Mumbles, 6d, too expensive, 1930s. [00:50:55] Transport: Mumbles-Newton 1p bus fare, 1930s. [00:53:04] Society: Probably best in late '40s & '50s. [00:56:43] Army: Chelsea Barracks: final parade of Boer War veterans, 1960s. [00:58:12] Music: Until end, 59m 42s