Harold Backhouse was a students at York St John University at the start of the war. He was a member of the 2nd rowing team. His mother's penfriend, Rita, sent a postcard and photograph from Denmark. Harold was called up and joined the Medical Corps and was with the Field Hygiene Section. The photographs submitted show his time in York, Corby and the Army. He served in Philipsville, North Africa from November 1942 and from June 1944 in Rome. He was demobilised in Italy. In Rome Harold was tasked with finding suitable buildings for the troops to stay in. He was also tasked with anti-malaria operations in Rome. He was billeted in an old police station. Whilst in Italy he was involved with a choir in Rome and sometimes went to the opera. He was also in Naples and visited Venice.
Item list and details
1. Christmas card from Daisy Rogers to Harold Backhouse
2. Postcard from mother's penfriend, Rita
3. Picture of Harold Backhouse and his friend Vic Boulter
4. Street photograph of Vic Boulter and Harold Backhouse
5. Photograph of Harold Backhouse at Wheatly Avenue
6. Photograph of Harold Backhouse
7. Photograph of York St John's college rowing team, 1941, Harold in the middle wearing a jacket
8. Harold by the river in front of York City wall
9. Photograph of the 2nd rowing crew from St John's college
10. Photograph of Rita's brother Trygve in resistance uniform
11. Harold Backhouse's Memorandum BookPerson the story/items relate to
Harold Backhouse, Christmas card is from his future wife, Daisy RogersPerson who shared the story/items
Roger BackhouseRelationship between the subject of the story and its contributor
ParentsType of submission
Shared at York Army Museum, York on 5 June 2023.Record ID
115118 | YOR010
