First of two sound cassettes: oral history interview with His Honour Judge Michael Birks relating to his service as a Trooper with 3rd (Horsed) Cavalry Training Regiment at Edinburgh, July to August 1940; at OCTU Weedon, August 1940; he joined the 22nd Dragoons in January 1941 after training for the Armoured Corps at Blackdown Camp; in 1942 he transferred to the Indian Army; destined for the 13 Bengal Cavalry, he contracted polio at language school, Mhow, and was invalided out in 1943.  Interview conducted on 27 January 1994.