NAM.2016-06-28-1

Oral history interview with Cpl Ian Getty, Royal Irish Regiment, interviewed by Jessica Stewart, 6 July 2007, for the National Army Musuem Helmand exhibition. Interview covers his time as a hostage in Gberi Bana, on the Rokel Creek, Sierra Leone, held by the militia group the ‘West Side Boys’ and his service during Operation HERRICK, Afghanistan, 2006. Getty outlines his previous service in Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Iraq, and his time in Sierra Leone, protecting the camp and training the local army. He details how his patrol were ambushed in Sierra Leone and taken prisoner by the militia. He then describes his captors, their apparent lack of a plan, their use of drugs, violence and torture, their erratic behaviour and perceived mental instability. He mentions various events, the prisoners relations with locals and captors, and the negotiations for their release. Getty describes their rescue by special forces and the impact the event had on his family and the subsequent press interference. He describes how this experience led him to sign up to the Army full-time and to volunteer for Iraq. Getty then talks about his time in Afghanistan, at Camp Bastion evacuating young casualties, and in Gareskh where he experienced heavy fighting. He also describes his recreational time whilst on campaign. Associated with 16 Air Assault Brigade, Operation BARRAS (2000),Sierra Leone and Operation HERRICK, Helmand, Afghanistan (2001-), 2002-2014.

BARRAS, Operation, 2000 (Sierra Leone 2000-2001), HERRICK, Operation, 2002-14 (Afghanistan 2001-2021)