Eaton, Richard: my Northern Ireland experiences (March 8, 2016)
An interview/narrative of Richard Eaton's experiences in Northern Ireland. Eaton served with the British Army. Interview took place on March 8, 2016.
ABSTRACT: Military Oral History Project Interview Summary Narrator: Eaton, Richard; 1960- Title: An Outsider’s Understanding of the Northern Ireland Conflict Interviewer: Interviewed by Kate Riordon. Extent 1 sound recording (MP3) 43:45, 60.1MB Interview Date and Location 8 March, 2016; Victoria BC Synopsis: Richard Eaton grew up in a family with a longstanding history of serving in the military, and from a young age he knew that he wanted to carry on that tradition. During high school he joined the local branch of the Military Cadets, but by the time he was ready to make a career of it he found the Canadian Army not as interesting an option as the British one. Prior to any deployment Eaton underwent various different kinds of training and schooling; by the time he went to Northern Ireland he was an Officer in the Parachute Regiment, an elite sector of the British Infantry. While in Northern Ireland he served terms in both the countryside and in Belfast, with similar responses from the locals, as well as an overarching emphasis on responsibility and purpose. Since his time in Northern Ireland Eaton has transferred to the Canadian Reserve Army and reflects back that he is proud of what the British Army has achieved in Ireland and that while the situation is still less then ideal, it is a far better alternative to the militant option. 00:31 – 4:09 – Growing up in Vancouver, joining the British Army, training up to the Officer level. 4:10 – 6:40 – Description of Parachute Regiment and training. 6:41 – 9:35 – Overview of three tours. 9:36 – 12:46 – Description of first tour in the countryside; differences between rural and urban Northern Ireland conflicts. 12:47 – 15:53 – Thoughts and quotes about the relationships between local factions and the military. 15:54 – 17:56 – Responsibilities to the local police; terrorists. 17:57 – 24:03 – Description & quote on patrols; second tour in Belfast 24:04 – 26:15 – Outline of training between tours. 26:16 – 31:27 – Responsibilities as an Officer & relations between the Army and local police. 31:28 – 34:16 – Description of third tour, countryside. 34:17 – 36: 46 – Reactions since leaving Northern Ireland. 36:47 – 42:39 – Thoughts on the local’s reactions/interactions with the Army. 42:40 – 43:45 – Closing remarks. Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 5:24 – 6:40 – Quote about training in the Parachute Regiment. 9:51 – 10:30 – Quote of personal preparation for the Irish situation. 11:20 – 12:47 – Description of danger-level difference between rural and urban. 13:09 – 14:13 – Quote/example of locally-expressed religious differences. 15:54 – 17:56 – Importance of local police force; support from the Army. 22:09 – 24:03 – Role of the officer; quote. Subject Key Words: Military Cadets, Vancouver BC; Canadian Forces Reserves, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada; Parachute Regiment; O-type engagement, officers training; 1 Parachute Battalion; NATO; P Company test, Pre-Parachute Selection, training; Northern Ireland Training Advisory Team, Kent; Fermanaugh, 1982; Belfast, 1986, 45 Commando; South Armagh, 1988; bandit country; danger; tribal maps; marching season; Royal Ulster Constabulary; Security Forces Base; routines; cooperation; teamwork; dedication; purpose; politics.
Interviewer: Riordon, Kate
Interviewee: Eaton, Richard, 1960-
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 49.24966, -123.11934
- 54.5, -6.5
- Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- ER_834
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 8, 2016
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2016. 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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