Pearkes, George Randolph: my Army and political recollections (July 7, 1965)
Interviewer: Roy, Reginald H. Interviewee: Pearkes, George Randolph, 1888-1984 Rank: Major-General. Medals and Honours: Victoria Cross (VC); Order of Canada (CC); Companion of the Bath (CB); Distinguished Service Order (DSO); Military Cross (MC); Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) An interview/narrative of George Randolph Pearkes's military and political recollections. Major-General Pearkes, V.C., C.C., C.B., D.S.O., M.C., C.D. was a Canadian politician, soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross and the 20th Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Interview took place between July 7, 1965 and December 13, 1971. ABSTRACT: Maj-Gen G.R. Pearkes, Interview 1, 7 July 1965. 34pp. Pearkes_G_0236_01, Pearkes_G_0236_02 Born on February 26, 1888 in Hertfordshire, England. Childhood, later attended Birkhamstead School. Upon graduation, attended the school-farm at Red Deer, Alta. where he learned a good deal about the care of animals. Claims that these two institutions provided him with a strong sense of the value of duty. Interview 2, 23 July 1965. 25pp. Pearkes_G_0236_03 Additional information regarding school days and immediately afterwards. Came to Canada in 1906 and not long after decided to take up a homestead near Rocky Mountain House. Managed for a while with the assistance of some outside employment. Mother and sister arrived to stay, required a new house, etc. Interview 3, 30 July 1965. 26pp. Pearkes_G_0236_04 Social life in the homestead area. Employed on the survey of the Athabaska River. Joined the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. Duty in the Yukon. Interview 4, 3 August 1965. 23pp. Pearkes_G_0236_06, Pearkes_G_0236_05 Police patrols in the Yukon. Purchased his discharge in 1915 in order to join the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles (2 CMR) in Victoria, B.C. Training experiences. Served as a riding instructor. The unit left Victoria on June 4, 1915, en route for England. Interview 5, 13 August 1965. 20pp. Pearkes_G_0236_08, Pearkes_G_0236_07 Taught equitation at Shorncliffe Camp, England. The unit moved to France as infantry in September, 1915. Specialized as a "bomber". Describes the early "jam-tin" bombs (hand-grenades). The unit had an easy introduction to trench warfare, attached to the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. Interview 6, 15 September 1965. 34pp. Pearkes_G_0236_010, Pearkes_G_0236_09 Comments on trench warfare. Description of Bomb Squad, hand grenades, trench conditions, rations, officers. Participated in a trench raid. Attended Bombing School as a sergeant. The composition of a bomb squad. Ypres salient, 1916. Interview 7, 23 September 1965. 22pp. Pearkes_G_0236_011, Pearkes_G_0236_012 Wounded twice. Commissioned in April, 1916. Appointed Bombing Officer. Explains Gamage Catapult (for projecting bombs). Experienced a poison gas attack on the Somme. Describes the city of Ypres in 1916. Hill 60. Became Brigade Bombing Officer while the unit was on the Somme. After the battle of Moquet Farm was appointed a company commander in the 5th C.M.R. Leads a bombing attack on Regina Trench. Interview 8, 5 October 1965. 22pp. Pearkes_G_0236_013, Pearkes_G_0236_014 In the Somme battles impressed with the quality of our trenches. Bombing practices and techniques. Awarded the Military Cross. Wounded again. Moved to the Vimy area at the end of 1916. Efforts made to improve both the comforts and the discipline of the troops. Comments on Vimy Ridge and on early types of tanks. Interview 9, 12 October 1965. 33pp. Pearkes_G_0236_015, Pearkes_G_0236_016 Returns to detailed account of attack on Regina Trench. Battle of Vimy Ridge. Is joined in the interview by the former adjutant of the 5th CMR, (H.F.C. Cox). Discussion of Lt. Col. D.C. Draper, then Commanding Officer. Passchendaele, 1917. Further opinions on Vimy Ridge. Interview 10, 21 October 1965. 21pp. Pearkes_G_0236_017, Pearkes_G_0236_018 The use of flares as signals. Artillery forward observation officers. Weapons. The "Left Out of Battle" system (L.O.B.). The tunnels at Vimy Ridge. Personal impressions. Unable to exploit the victory through an advance on the Douai Plain. Vignettes of trench life. The mud of Passchendaele. Interview 11, 26 October 1965. 38pp. Pearkes_G_0236_019, Pearkes_G_0236_020 Ypres salient, 1917. Battle of Passchendaele, appalling conditions of the terrain. Impressions of the attack. Tactics employed by his unit. Heavy casualties. Reference to War Diary. Wounded again. German counter-attack. Eventually reinforced. No Interview 12: Mis-numbered! Interview 13, 9 November 1965. 19pp. Pearkes_G_0236_021, Pearkes_G_0236_022 Joins 116th Battalion, C.E.F. as second-in-command. When he left 5th CMR he was accorded a public tribute. Offers account of incidents in the 116th Bn. First conscripts, summer of 1918. Move to the Amiens area. Interview 14, 16 November 1965. 22pp. Pearkes_G_0236_023, Pearkes_G_0236_024 Refers to Ken Wood, his Scout Officer. Move to Amiens a secret, due to impending offensive of 8 August 1918. New attack formation; sections in file instead of in line resulted in fewer casualties. Tactics, attack through dense fog. Describes Hammond Wood. Move to Arras sector then Canal du Nord. Wounded again. Armistice Day in London. Interview 15, 23 November 1965. 24pp. Pearkes_G_0236_025, Pearkes_G_0236_026 May, 1918 - American troops. Award of Victoria Cross. Relations with his Father. Further comments on the Amiens offensive, and beyond. Refers to himself, badly wounded by shell-fire. An early blood transfusion. First day out of hospital, Nov. 11, 1918 - London celebrations. Returns to billets in Belgium. Interview 16, 30 November 1965. 23pp. Pearkes_G_0236_027, Pearkes_G_0236_028 Canadians in Europe after 11 November 1918. Decides to join permanent army. Staff College, Camberly. (116th Bn. disbanded) At Camberly there were some distinguished soldiers on course, who remained life-long friends. Appointed a major in the P.P.C.L.I. Posted as staff officer in Calgary. Comments on duties. Interview 17, 7 December 1965. 25pp. Pearkes_G_0236_029, Pearkes_G_0236_030 The Chief of the General Staff, Maj-Gen. J.H. MacBrien. Experiences in the early 1920's. Becomes active in the Boy Scout movement and in veteran's organizations. Involved in militia staff courses. Joins Kiwanis Club; civilian attitudes important for the military. Meets R.B. Bennett, future Prime Minister. Becomes A.D.C. to Sir Julian Byng, the Governor-General. Duties and social life. The Calgary military, veterans. Interview 18, 14 December 1965. 18pp. Pearkes_G_0236_031, Pearkes_G_0236_032 Transferred to Winnipeg, 1922. Plans for war and civil disturbances. Anecdotes of militia training. Important visitors to Winnipeg. Interview 19, 22 December 1965. 18pp. Pearkes_G_0236_033, Pearkes_G_0236_034 Military life and prominent individuals in Winnipeg. Meets and becomes engaged to Miss Blytha Copeman in North Saanich. Description of wedding, early married life, travels to Manitoba. Interview 20, 29 December 1965. 22pp. Pearkes_G_0236_035, Pearkes_G_0236_036 Moved to Victoria, B.C. in 1928. Account of garrison life, military personalities. Comments on Brig Gen. A.G.L. McNaughton, his commanding officer. Defences of Victoria. Brig-Gen. J. Sutherland Brown. Novel combined exercise at Maple Bay, 1929. Canadian political scene as it affected the military. Social life. Interview 21, 6 January 1966. 24pp. Pearkes_G_0236_037, Pearkes_G_0236_038 Refers again to the members of his Staff College Course at Camberly. Barriefield House in Kingston, Ont. Attends reunion of Victoria Cross winners in England. Describes Militia Staff Course at R.M.C. and work with the cadets. Military training, 1929/30. Interview 22, 11 January 1966. 25pp. Pearkes_G_0236_039, Pearkes_G_0236_040 Militia Staff Course, 1930. Visited U.S. Military Academy, West Point. Conditions during the Depression. R.M.C. cadets, describes military training. Attended Senior Officer's School in England. Social life there, dines with the Grenadier Guards. Interview 23, 1 February 1966. 15pp. Pearkes_G_0236_041, Pearkes_G_0236_042 (Begins with an aside: duties of the Lt. Governor.) Returned to Canada, Jan. 1935. Posted to Ottawa as Director of Military Training. Describes responsibilities including dealing with the unemployed. Comments on the disagreement between the Deputy Minister and the Chief of the General Staff. Interview 24, 1 March 1966. 21pp. Pearkes_G_0236_043, Pearkes_G_0236_044 (Note: There is a supplement to this interview concerning the British Army, 1937 and as Director of Military Training.) Plans for mobilizing two Canadian infantry divisions. Comments on the reduction of the militia and of the use of the Permanent Force. Canadian weapons development. Military relations with the Dept. of External Affairs. French Canadian units. Parliamentary politicians. Attended the Imperial Defence College. Military organization and preparedness in Canada. British military manoeuvres in 1937. Interview 25, (with Mrs. Pearkes) 8 March 1966. 27pp. plus additional 7pp. Pearkes_G_0236_045, Pearkes_G_0236_046 Experiences in England, 1937. Mrs. Pearkes presented at Court. Coronation of King George VI. (Account moves to Government House, Victoria). Appointed District Officer Commanding in Calgary (M.D. 13). Describes military life; visit of the King and Queen in 1939. Preparing the Militia for war. Mobilization. Interview 26, 17 March 1966. 24pp. Pearkes_G_0236_047, Pearkes_G_0236_048 Shortages of equipment in 1939. Appointed to command 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade (1939). Task of obtaining satisfactory officers. Moving overseas. Aldershot Camp in England. Interview 27, 24 March 1966. 20pp. Pearkes_G_0236_049, Pearkes_G_0236_050, Pearkes_G_0236_051 Co-operation of the British Army. Training in England, lack of equipment. Comments on senior officers. Took up beagling as exercise for the officers. Col. and Mrs. Hamilton Gault, P.P.C.L.I. Pearkes became very ill with spinal meningitis. In May 1940 the Germans began their push to the west. Interview 28, 12 April 1966. 20pp. Pearkes_G_0236_052, Pearkes_G_0236_053 Germans invade the Low Countries and France. Anxious about shortages of equipment. Canadians expected to go to France. Preparing for the defence of Britain. 1st Cdn. Division posted to the Midlands. Comments on the fall of France. Problem of morale. Training became very active. Interview 29, 21 April 1966. 18pp. Pearkes_G_0236_054, Pearkes_G_0236_055 Opinion of General Montgomery. Degree of security when travelling by car. Officer friends. Training, troop movement by road. Court cases, the weeding out of officers. etc. Canadian staff officers; some problem with a perceived lack of dedication. Interview 30, 2 May 1966. 26pp. Pearkes_G_0236_056, Pearkes_G_0236_057 Duties as part of the defence of Britain, one battalion always on one hour notice to move. Airfield defence. Weak defences on the south coast of England. Visit by Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden - a disaster - the "Battle of Winston Cross". Appointed General Officer Commanding (G.O.C.) 1st Canadian Infantry Division, July, 1940. Mentions senior officers. Interview 31, 10 May 1966. 22pp. Pearkes_G_0236_058, Pearkes_G_0236_059 General comments, persons known, etc. Air raids over England. Training for the expected invasion of England. (Comments on his current pressure of engagements). Interview 32, 26 May 1966. 24pp. Pearkes_G_0236_060, Pearkes_G_0236_061 Three examples of army orders. Various aspects of army training in England, late 1940, conditions and the control of military traffic. Air raids. Comments on some aspects of command. Visit of Col. J.L. Ralston, Minister of National Defence. Desirability of establishing a Canadian Corps. Interview 33, 8 July 1966. 27pp. Pearkes_G_0236_062, Pearkes_G_0236_063 Winter 1940/41. Shortages in England. Visits made and received. Not enthusiastic about "commando raids" as feels they are not very cost effective. Remarks on several staff officers, divisional conferences. Discusses photographs (subject not well defined). Interview 34, 15 July 1966. 27pp. Pearkes_G_0236_064, Pearkes_G_0236_065 Comments on the Home Guard. Training exercises, 1941, including Exercise Fox, great road confusion. Explains policy regarding a Canadian Corps. Some Canadian discontent at apparent failure to get into action. Comments on Lt.-Gen. McNaughton, particularly his effectiveness as a commander. Air defence platoons formed. Visits Birkhamstead School. Anti-tank exercises. Visit by Noel Coward. Interview 35, 21 July 1966. 25pp. Pearkes_G_0236_066, Pearkes_G_0236_067 Refers to visits, years before, to the battlefields of the Great War. Remarks on the French Canadians in the First Cdn. Div. Dinner attended by the King. Visit by Canadian cabinet ministers. Comments on the German invasion of Russia. Interview 36, 25 July 1966. 23pp. Pearkes_G_0236_068, Pearkes_G_0236_069 The general war situation. Raids against the European coast. Generals McNaughton, Crerar, and the Canadian Corps. Experience with General Montgomery. Opinion of the Dieppe Raid - against using the 1st Cdn. Division. Temporarily in command of 1st Canadian Corps. Returns to 1st Cdn. Div. Interview 37, 2 August 1966. 25pp. Includes Pearkes' farewell to 1st Cdn. Inf. Div. - 1p. Pearkes_G_0236_070, Pearkes_G_0236_071 Soldiers' vegetable gardens. Liaise with the Royal Navy re small raids against the Germans. Early consideration of the Second Front. Exercise Tiger. Comments on General Crerar. The Dieppe raid. Lt.-Gen. Ken Stuart. Returned to Canada as G.O.C. Western Command with headquarters in Vancouver. The move and possible reasons. Interview 37.1, 8 August 1966. (No transcript) (Reel 20, Side 2, 1 7/8 ips, ca. 70 min. Starts at 2:40, ends at 3:30. Begins again at 10:03-10:23.) Pearkes_G_0236_072, Pearkes_G_0236_073 Account of uncomfortable return trip to Canada via bomber. Receives instructions re Pacific Command. Impressions of Canada and situation in Pacific Command upon arrival, including "civilian and military hysteria". Esprit de corps and morale of the troops. Poor housing for the troops. Upgraded communication network, including telephone lines. Extent of Pacific Command. Headquarters moved from Victoria to Vancouver. Senior staff. Factors affecting defence of the West Coast. Equipment, training, organization of 6th and 8th Divisions. Establishes administrative headquarters in Vancouver. G.R.P.'s attitude toward new command. Great assistance given by Mrs. Pearkes. Interview 38, 12 August 1966. 32pp. (Includes an account, 3pp., on Cdn. relations with U.S. Army) Pearkes_G_0236_074, Pearkes_G_0236_075 Maj.-Gen. Pearkes remarks on the amount of correspondence he received from veterans, etc. As G.O.C. visits Lt.-Gen. John L. De Witt, the American army commander in San Francisco. Early planning for the invasion of Kiska Island, occupied by the Japanese. B.C. coast defences. Terrible weather and terrain conditions at Kiska. Decisions regarding troops used and their equipment and training. Interview 39, 9 September 1966. 33pp. Pearkes_G_0236_076, Pearkes_G_0236_077 Appreciation of the Japanese defences at Kiska, American opinion of Canadian troops. Individual combat training of Canadians was emphasized. Last minute permission of Canadian Government to proceed. Administrative details vis-a-vis the Americans. The Press and public relations. Plan of initial attack and after to press on westward. Writes letter to the Chief of the General Staff in Ottawa. Interview 40, 14 September 1966. 34pp. Pearkes_G_0236_078, Pearkes_G_0236_079 Anecdote. Col. and Mrs. Hamilton Gault. Continues with account of letter to Lt.-Gen. Stuart, 13 Aug. 1943 in which he advocates the continued use of Canadian Troops in the Pacific war. Praises the French Canadian units under his command. Employment of National Resources Mobilization Act (N.R.M.A.) troops. Letter to Brig. W.N. Bostock re Kiska landing. Details of landing, terrain, weather, morale, etc. Terrace/Prince Rupert armoured train. Establishment of the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers. Mountain Warfare School and the Alpine Club of Canada. Efforts to obtain landing craft for the base at Comox. Training camp for Canadians of Oriental background. Interview 41, 21 September 1966. 27pp. Pearkes_G_0236_080, Pearkes_G_0236_081 An aside re Bomarc missiles. Kiska: troops housed in tents. Changes in the 6th and 8th Canadian Divisions. Much travelling in attempt to persuade N.R.M.A. men to volunteer for overseas duty. Training of the 6th Division for possible use in the Pacific. Beginning of the Japanese Language School in Vancouver and the "sabotage" school in the Okanagan. Attempts made to have N.R.M.A. units sent overseas, as units, March, 1944. Gen. McNaughton (Ottawa) applies pressure to obtain reinforcements. Interview 42, 29 September 1966. 26pp. Pearkes_G_0236_082, Pearkes_G_0236_083 Reinforcement problems. Returns to efforts to have 13th Infantry Brigade sent overseas as a unit. Continuing difficulty in obtaining overseas volunteers. Problems encountered when men temporarily released for farm work. Active support offered by Col. Ralston who eventually was forced to resign. Deplores the policy of the government in applying overseas conscription to only 16,000 N.R.M.A. men. Interview 43, 13 October 1966. 28pp. (Tape recording unusable - see transcript.) Brig. W.H.S. Macklin as commander 13th Inf. Bde., report on the state of the Brigade, early 1944. Deserters and the somewhat inefficient system of apprehension. Low morale. Problem partly caused by efficient officers being posted, the inefficient remaining. Poor results in obtaining overseas volunteers despite great efforts. Emphasizes the degree which a lack of patriotism and the impression of an unfair manpower policy affected N.R.M.A. men. Interview 44, 21 October 1966. 31pp. Pearkes_G_0236_084, Pearkes_G_0236_085 "Odds and ends" as G.O.C., Pacific command. Resignation of Ralston, Min. of National Defence. General McNaughton takes over. Early attempts to implement his policies. Partial overseas conscription, a great mistake. Some officers spoke to the press causing considerable misunderstanding. Interview 45, 1 November 1966. 21pp. Pearkes_G_0236_086 Partial conscription. Visit of Lt.-Gen. E.W. Sansom. Attitude of troops, mutiny at Terrace. First attempt by Pearkes to be relieved of the Command. Finally resignation accepted. Name goes forward as a candidate for Parliament. Election experiences. Elected as Member of Parliament for the Nanaimo constituency (which at that time included Saanich). Interview 46, 16 November 1966. 18pp. Pearkes_G_0236_087 Pearkes_G_0236_088 Life and routine as a Member of Parliament. Lobbyists or groups attempting to influence policy. Visitors welcome and otherwise. Policy on gifts. Interview 47, 1 December 1966. 40pp. Pearkes_G_0236_089 Pearkes_G_0236_090 Political campaign, 1945. Ethnic minorities. Concerned about Japanese citizens and the West Coast, future conscription policy. Delivers maiden speech. Comments on the federal and provincial Conservative organizations and the Coalition Government of B.C. Veterans Affairs committee, questions in the House, and its traditions. Interview 48, 7 December 1966. 27pp. Pearkes_G_0236_091 Pearkes_G_0236_092 Early political positions, defence matters, committees, etc. Some constituency problems, labour strikes, forest industry. Remarks that he approved of Brooke Claxton, Liberal Minister of National Defence. Interview 49, 15 December 1966. 30pp. Pearkes_G_0236_093 Pearkes_G_0236_094 Problems with veterans housing in the Braefoot district. Becomes president of the B.C. Progressive Conservative Association. Compares Howard Green and Herbert Anscomb. First experience with W.A.C. Bennett. State of the Conservative Party, John Bracken, George Drew, diversity of political opinion. The Canadian Flag. Interview 50, 21 December 1966. 19pp. Pearkes_G_0236_095, Pearkes_G_0236_096 Pearkes and Dr. R.H. Roy discuss an honours paper on defence policy in the 1950's period. Equipment, NATO, North American Defence. Duties and tasks as Lt. Governor. Interview 51, 4 January 1967. 29pp. Discusses defence cost, NATO, armed forces. Early talk of "amalgamation" of the services. Rescue facilities on the West Coast. Objects to the low numbers in the militia. Questions raised in Parliament, size of the regular forces and how to respond to an attack on Canada. Reunion of V.C. recipients. Interview 52, 11 January 1967. 29pp. House of Commons speeches, 1949; administrative unification of the forces. Russian nuclear weapons. Cdn./U.S. warning system. Defence of Canada, both military and civil. Defence research. Lack of Canadian preparedness, expansion of reserves advocated. Attempted to have a National Defence Committee formed in Parliament. Interview 53, 20 January 1967. 30pp. Comments on George Drew as leader of the Party. Considers him to have been an excellent choice, but perceived to lack "the common touch". Speaks of E.D. Fulton, George Hees, Robert Stanfield. Beginning of the Korean War. Serious problems with the army recruiting policy. Attacks government defence policy. Composition of units, officer training, etc. Interview 54, 30 January 1967. 29pp. Joint continental defence with the Americans. Lack of support in the cabinet. Returns to late 1951: Canadian participation in the Korean War and our troops in NATO. Council of Europe, Strasburg. Comments on the United Nations. Effectiveness and quantity of our troops in Europe. Currie Report. Allocation of funds to the Air Force. Interview 55, 9 February 1967. 22pp. Remarks in Parliament regarding the West Coast fishery and the Americans. Attacks the government on the sorry state of Canadian defence. Experiences difficulty as an opposition M.P. in obtaining military information. Expresses positive feelings about the Commonwealth and advocates additional efforts in Defence research. Interview 56, 14 February 1967. 26p. Comments on "pairing" M.P.'s in the House and the Party Whip, etc. Speech on Civil Defence. The defence of Europe without Germany impractical, must rely on the Americans for the defence of North America. Militia in the civil defence role. Interview 57, 23 February 1967. 28pp. Pearkes speaks in the pipeline debate of 1956. As Minister of National Defence instituted weekly meetings with the Chiefs of Staff, Deputy Ministers, etc. High cost of retaining Canadian troops in Europe. Remarks that he supported Diefenbaker for leader. Comments on Fleming, Drew, and Hees. Constituency affairs. In April, 1957, major speech in Parliament on the necessity to give direction to defence. Advocated more co-operation and less controversy. Felt that in 1959 Diefenbaker seemed unsure of government direction. Interview 58, 9 March 1967. 29pp. Federal election of 1957. Remarks on Diefenbaker, C.D. Howe, Pearson. Commitments in place when Pearkes became Minister of National Defence. Considered reducing the militia. Over-staffing at National Defence headquarters. Private secretaries, R.H.N. Roberts and Ned Larsen. General Charles Foulkes and relationship with the Chiefs of Staff committee. Feels that Diefenbaker did not quite trust the military, - lacked personal experience. NORAD. Interview 59, 23 March 1967. 27pp. (plus 10pp. Pearkes diary) Early days in office. Quotes interview with Gen. Foulkes regarding the previous government. Unsuccessful attempt to form Defence Committee of the Cabinet. Diefenbaker did not get on at all well at his first NATO meeting in Paris. NORAD, its establishment and command structure. Unfavourable publicity about NORAD. Control of nuclear weapons and the right of a commander to act quickly, if necessary. Diary: Political campaigning in 1957 and the many functions attended as Minister of National Defence. Interview 60, 31 March 1967. 26pp. NORAD command and the availability of Canadian decision-making politicians. Election of 1959. Commonwealth Conference. NATO and the Canadian involvement in the deployment of nuclear weapons. Mrs. Pearkes enters the conversation; discussion of the Commonwealth Conference. Canadian forces in Europe. Interview 61, 5 April 1967. 18pp. Canadian role: tactical nuclear weapons in Europe and in Canada. Canadian fighter aircraft, the Bomarc missile, and the Avro Arrow, which he finally recommends against. American Air Force to train in Canada, Bomarcs to fill-in for the Arrow. The threat of a Russian attack. Interview 62, 13 April 1967. 14pp. Acceptance of nuclear weapons, Bomarc B. Public view of defence and worries about escalation of the war threat. Blames Howard Green (External Affairs), to some extent, in making life with the Americans more difficult. The problem of advisers to the Min. of National Defence. Interview 63 - does not exist as a result of mis-numbering. Interview 64, 28 April 1967. 28pp. Defence Policy. Defence committee deliberations, 1960, often overtaken by events. The threat of attack and the Air Force response. Doubts that Diefenbaker grasped the defence situation. Pearkes attempted to keep the Canadian forces up-to-date. Control of nuclear weapons on Canadian soil. Mentions the long discussion process required by Diefenbaker in cabinet meetings. Thinks that Conservatives lacked a certain confidence. Interview 65, 25 May 1967. 15pp. Defence policy, more comments on the Arrow programme, its termination and Bomarc replacement. North American Defence. Questions in the House. Building up the Air Transport Command. Interview 66, 2 June 1967. 22pp. The beginning of integration of the armed forces. Unification of command was most important. Care had to be taken not to break down tradition; move slowly. Defence co-operation with the Americans. Civil Defence for the militia. Interview 67, 12 July 1967. 24pp. Comments on Diefenbaker, in Opposition. Relationship with Quebec. Comments on the Cabinet. Process of obtaining money, budgets, the Treasury Board. Defence policy and deterrence. Attacks on the government regarding nuclear weapons. Considers that Diefenbaker had an inability to listen. Comments on Diefenbaker's contradictory policies. Interview 68, 26 July 1967. 15pp. Requirement for transport aircraft. New equipment a priority. Defence policy dictated by foreign policy. The air and naval situation. A continuing problem of the high proportion of the defence budget being allocated to maintenance and pay. Canadian dependence on the United States for defence. Reasons for resignation as Minister of National Defence. Ideas for the militia in the Civil Defence role. Interview 69, 3 August 1967. 29pp. Comments on defence policy pre-1957 and its application as a means of "purchasing influence". Pearkes' attitude toward government and governing. Discusses his financial problems on becoming Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia. Returns to the Bomarc system - reasons for accepting. Believed that defence requirements were more important than Canada's world image, as proposed by Howard Green. Problems inherent in the acquisition of new weapon systems. The bomber/missile threat. Interview 70, 19 October 1967. 17pp. Comments on a return visit to Passchendaele. Travels as Lt.-Governor. Official calls by officials, foreign dignitaries, etc. The selection of A.D.C.s. Rhodes Scholarship selection. Patronage as the Queen's representative. Guest list for social events. Interview 71, 31 October 1967. 29pp. Integration in the armed forces. Favourable opinion of Brooke Claxton, Liberal Min. of National Defence. New command system in the Forces. Opinion that Paul Hellyer moved too fast with unification. Returns to the account of the army "mutiny" in Terrace. Present activity at Government House. Groups of guests and the cost. Interview 72, 22 November 1967. 27pp. Swearing-in ceremony as Lt.-Governor. Various topics regarding the position as Lt.-Gov. Position vis-a-vis the Governor General. Receives news of his appointment as Queen's Representative. Tours the Province. Trip to England. Interview 73, 11 December 1967. 28pp. Christmas at Government House. Entertaining the Staff. Church services. Garden Party at Government House, State Ball, State Dinners and the importance of seating, etc. Interview 74, 6 November 1968. 22pp. Returns to a description of British Army manoeuvres in 1937. Comments on biography of Gen. McNaughton and on the man. Mrs. Pearkes joins in regarding wartime England. McKenzie King. McNaughton anecdotes. Describes some "crank" letters received as Lt.-Governor. Interview 75, - May 1969. 7pp. Maj.-Gen. Pearkes comments on first chapter of his biography by Dr. Roy. Information about Pearkes' family and early life. Interview 76, 27 May 1969. 11pp. Further description of Berkhamstead Farm. Description of farm life, circa 1907. Interview 77, 21 July 1969. 24p. Berkhamstead Farm, neighbours, describes surrounding district. Homesteading at Clearwater, very hard-up. Mother and sister arrive. Relationship with Father in England. Separation of Mother and Father. Interview 78, 13 November 1970. 27pp. Royal Military College, 1929. Mentions a number of officers and former cadets. Army life in Ottawa, 1930's. Interview 79, 6 July 1971. 11pp. War Diary, Pacific Command, 1942. Military road-building, Vancouver Island. Operation "Green Light" against Kiska. General defence of the Pacific Coast. Interview 80, 13 December 1971. 19pp Returns to the decision to seek election to Parliament. Details of nomination, first campaign. Family life as an M.P. was considerably disrupted.
- In Collection:
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Contributor
Subject
Language
Date created
Relation
- 147 sound recordings (MP3)
- 51.5, 10.5
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Forty-one original sound tape reels (ca. 98.4 hours) : 1 7/8 ips and 3 3/4 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 74 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- PGR_236
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- July 19, 2010
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22kHz. In .mp3 format at 64kb/s and 22kHz. Digitized by SC, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. ; WWI Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2010. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
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- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
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