Interview with Albert Victor Wheeler, of Burry Port, by David Mathias. Wheeler, a veteran of the Great War (1914-1918) discusses his personal experience of serving in the war with the 52nd and 53rd South Wales Borderers and the 4th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, with some focus on his time with the Allied Army of Occupation in Germany. Wheeler describes his story of enlisting, first via Carmarthen Barracks, then Cardiff before training in Kinmel Park and Herne Bay. He was initially classified B1 (fit but small) and given the option to go home; refusing this offer he worked in a shell factory before returning to training and joining as a side drummer. He describes his time in Herne Bay where drafts left regularly for France in 1918. He describes his journey through via Dunkirk through devastated France and Belgium with the Army of Occupation into Germany. Recount his time billeting in civilian homes in Münstereifel, remembering both hardship and kindness. Describes his time billeting in a large chateau with orchards and grand rooms where soldiers grew more relaxed and use of ‘club house’. Transferred in 1919 to Ireland amid unrest, stationed in Newtownards and later Ennis. He did not experience any conflict during his time there; gives his account of the situation and his sympathy for the Irish. Remarks a connection with a Simms family with Burry Port and his mother. Demobilised in March 1920, he noted many veterans struggled with trauma and unemployment, and reliance on casual labour. Describes how he relied on fished to get by during the 1921 slump. Postwar, Wheeler reflects on the heavy industry’s decline. Tinplate and iron works running under the pool system, smaller works were closed, and masters were compensated with payments to stay idle. Explains this was tied to postwar politics: French occupation of the Ruhr and Saar regions in response to Germany's repeated defaults on the reparations. Notes how large industrialists controlled decisions, leaving smaller employers powerless with recollections of industrialist Frank Rees (Llanelly Steel) and imports of Belgian steel.  Wheeler’s interview touches on lighter stories of his life and friends and his reflections on war, post war hardship, and community.

[Due to the quality of the original recordings, originally made on portable cassette recorders in the 1980s, this recording has been heavily processed to enhance the voices captured. In some cases, information is unintelligible. You can reference the Full summary of the recording to complement the listening experience.] Side 1 00:00:03 – 00:05:46 – Enlistment; Classified B1; shell factory work; returns as side drummer.00:05:46 – 00:07:26 – Transfers between units; joins Army of Occupation.00:07:26 – 00:14:08 – Dunkirk camp; march into Germany. 00:14:08 – 00:19:48 – Billeting in Münstereifel; influenza and local residents.00:19:48 – 00:24:30 – Training at Herne Bay; mills bomb accident; air raids.00:26:20 – 00:27:35 – Moves to Ipswich; drafts sent to France.00:27:35 – 00:29:20 – 1918 offensives.00:29:20 – 00:35:02 – announcement of Armistice whilst on leave.00:35:02 – 00:38:18 – Draft via Shoreham; ship to Dunkirk.00:38:18 – 00:40:52 – Travel by trucks; ruined countryside; Lille looting stopped.00:40:52 – 00:44:50  – Long marches; Christmas 1918 dinner in Germany. Side 2
 00:44:52 – 00:50:05 – Billeted in German chateau; relaxed life; comrades’ antics.00:50:05 – 00:53:28 – Transfer to Ireland in 1919; travel via Calais/Dublin; patrolling Newtownards.00:54:03 – 00:59:33 – Irish unrest; Simms family connections and philanthropy.00:59:33 – 01:02:52 – Stationed in Ennis; patrols; canteen bar; sympathy for Irish poverty.01:04:02 – 01:07:45 – Demobilised in 1920; veterans’ trauma; work schemes; 1921 slump; fishing for survival.01:11:00 – 01:13:41 – Local industry decline; pooling system; reparations politics.01:13:41 – 01:17:57 – Frank Rees story; Belgian iron imports; industrial politics.01:17:57 – 01:20:44 – Criticism of Conservatives; founding British Legion branch; remarks on medals.01:20:44 – 01:26:30 – Story of going to sea with Ivor; tugboat trial.