Henley, Roy E.: my Army recollections (August 2, 1982)
Rank: Private.
Interviewee: Henley, Roy E., b. 1902
Interviewer: Bell, Chris
An interview/narrative of Roy E. Henley's experiences during World War I. Private Henley served with the 13th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (The Black Watch). Interview took place on August 2, 1982.
ABSTRACT: Pte. Roy E. Henley 13th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (The Black Watch) Henley_R_0081_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born on Sept. 21, 1902 at Yewhurst, Kent. Emigrated to central Ontario as a boy. In 1915 joined the Royal Canadian Dragoons as a trumpeter at age thirteen, passing for fifteen or sixteen! Mentions the "Boys Battalion" formed in England of under-aged members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Comments on the harsh conditions at the Canadian Reinforcement Depot at Etaples, France. Chinese labour battalions encamped nearby. (10:00) In 1915 he volunteered for the infantry. (Some confusion here: Mr. Henley may have belonged to the Quebec Regiment, 20th Battalion, C.E.F. for a brief period before he was posted to the 13th Battalion, C.E.F.) Comments on the use of the kilt. (20:00) Rum ration, attacks, artillery fire, field guns. (30:00) When out of the line for a rest a considerable time was spent digging trenches or tunnels. (40:00) Personal reminiscences. (45:00) Henley_R_0081_02.mp3 Trench conditions, wounds, gangrene (very prevalent). General comments about World War II, prisoners of war, Dunkirk. Personal collection of military badges. (15:00) Great War comments. Return to Mons in 1918. Armistice period. Hospital experience. Remarks, not always favourable, about former members of the battalion. (45:00) Henley_R_0081_03.mp3 (Side 2) Vimy Ridge battle in general. Trench activities, experiences with snipers, cavalry, opinion of senior officers, trench life, personal philosophy, rations, shelling, mortars, sentry duty, wound, Lewis gunner, Henley_R_0081_04.mp3 personal weapons, etc. (32:00)
- In Collection:
- 4 sound recordings (MP3)
- 46, 2
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 120 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- HRE_081
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- July 12, 2006
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by SC and JF, 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 2006. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- 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
- DOI
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Henley_R_0081_04.mp3 |
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