Canadian Military Oral Histories
User Collection Public
The Canadian Military Oral History Collection is composed of interviews of veterans of WWI, WWII, the Korean War and the War in Afghanistan. Over 370 recordings done by Dr. Reginald H. Roy and his students are the largest holding in this category. Historian Hal Lawrence also donated over 180 recordings that he collected of Canadian Naval personnel.
Collection descriptions
The following are descriptions of the major collections of interviews that make up the collection:
Reg Roy collection
Dr. Reginald H. Roy was the Chair of Military History (1968-1988) and the Social Sciences Research Centre (1970-75) at the University of Victoria. The Reg Roy fonds contains over 370 sound recordings of oral histories conducted over his career and was recognized by Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo in 2005.
Social Sciences Research Centre collection
This is an important subset of the Reg Roy collection of military oral histories and consists of extensive interviews with Major-General George R. Pearkes and other interviews with his family and a number of personal and professional associates for his biography entitled For Most Conspicuous Bravery: A Biography of Major-General George R. Pearkes, V.C., Through Two World Wars (1977).
Hal Lawrence collection
This collection includes approximately 120 interviews conducted by Commander Hal Lawrence in collaboration with National Defence/Défense nationale on the Canadian Navy (1940-1995). Some of these interviews have been transcribed and some are only available as transcripts.
Shawn Cafferky collection
This collection of 14 interviews by military historian Dr. Shawn Cafferky of the University of Victoria's Department of History were conducted in 1997 and refer to the experimental Squadron VX-10, and the testing and use of the Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King helicopter.
Military oral history class interviews
Since 2005, the History Department has offered a Military Oral History seminar course as a component of the Canadian Veterans Oral History Project, a joint project of the Royal United Services Institute of Vancouver Island (RUSI VI) and University of Victoria. The seminar course offers students the opportunity to interview veterans for course credit and the resulting interviews are deposited with University of Victoria Special Collections.
Elizabeth Hazlitte collection
This collection is comprised of six interviews with veterans of WWI conducted from 1983-84 by Elizabeth Hazlitte, a nurse at Victoria's Veteran's Hospital at the Memorial Pavilion.
David Stafford collection
This collection is comprised of nine interviews conducted by Dr. David Stafford, retired history professor at the University of Victoria, for his monograph on clandestine operations in WWII.
Copyright policy
The material is to be used solely for the purpose of research or private study. Any use of the copy for a purpose other than research of private study may require the authorization of the copyright owner of the work in question. The user must assume full responsibility for obtaining copyright permission to publish items in whole or in part.
Although the University of Victoria has permission to make the oral histories available to researchers, the copyright belongs to the interviewees. If extensive passages are used for publication, exhibition or presentation permission from the copyright holder is necessary.
Publication credit
The University of Victoria Special Collections will be given a copy of the book, article, exhibition catalogue, or supporting publication in all cases of publication, exhibition, or presentation of the oral history reproductions. In such cases a credit line citation should read as follows:
University of Victoria, Special Collections, Military Oral History Collection,
[Name of Interviewee], [Record ID Number]
Image: Elizabeth Hazlitte interviewing World War One veteran Egbert Browning in 1983
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/4a7eade6-d0b7-4807-8cd2-6eb9c5a66937
Collection Details
- Items 789
- Last Updated 2025-04-01
Parent Collections (1)
Works (789)
341. Sager, Arthur H.: my Air Force recollections (March 22, 2005)
- Title:
- Sager, Arthur H.: my Air Force recollections (March 22, 2005)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Arthur H. Sager's experiences during World War II. Squadron Leader Sager served with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on March 22, 2005., Interviewee: Sager, Arthur H., Rank: Squadron Leader. , ABSTRACT: Squadron Leader Arthur H. Sager (ret’d.) Squadron Leader Arthur Sager was interviewed on the 22nd of March 2005. He was in England as a reporter when war broke out in 1939. He felt he was a pacifist and didn't want to kill people and felt that being a fighter pilot in the sky was the best means to do so and thus applied to the RAF but was not accepted due to not having proper identification. He went back to Canada and taught for 6 months then upon receiving the proper education, he applied to the RCAF. He commanded his own squadron the 443 consisting of Spitfires. He is the only surviving wartime officer of the squadron which is now a helicopter squadron located in Esquimalt. His previous education was high school and then received a B.A. at the University of British Columbia. He explained that being in great physical shape proved to help more than anything else in his training to be a fighter pilot. He discusses his commonwealth training and how he was able to avoid being a bomber pilot by going AWOL and not doing as well as he could on some exams in order to be selected as a fighter pilot. He explains how he was a bad shot at the beginning because he shot at the wrong time. He contributes his success to the more experience he gained after each mission. He tells how dangerous it was escorting bombers. His instructors were those on leave from fighting in Europe and he explains that he learned a lot from hearing about their experiences. His training as a fighter pilot took place in England. He explains the importance of a cockpit check and how his experience of not doing an extensive check and the repercussions of it. He took off into a core spin and was lucky to survive from it during training in England. He explains operations he took part in starting with the invasion of France. He received an award from the French government for his leadership of his squadron during the liberation of France. He then talks about his battles over Holland against experienced German pilots recently returning from the Eastern Front. He explains that his dogfights would last no more than 3 to 4 minutes. The main fighter he was up against was Messerschmits 109. He took part in the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. He explains the advantages each aircraft when comparing the Spitfire to the German fighters. The fuel injection in the German aircraft was a distinct advantage. The spitfire could out turn German aircraft. He explains teamwork was an important part to having success in the air and compares his squadrons to the German ones he was up against. He talks about a story of chasing a German fighter and how he ran out of bullets trying to shoot him down. He figured the pilot was a rookie and was able to scare him off by flying so close to him., and Interviewer: Allen, Nicholas
- Subject:
- World War (1939-1945), Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, Military history, and World War (1914-1918)
- Contributor:
- Allen, Nicholas and Sager, Arthur H.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-03-22
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- England and Europe
- Coordinates:
- 52.16045, -0.70312 and 48.69096, 9.14062
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- One original audio cassette in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- interviews, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- SAH_451
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-12-05
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
342. Hayes, Godfrey Harry: my naval experiences (March 25, 2005)
- Title:
- Hayes, Godfrey Harry: my naval experiences (March 25, 2005)
- Description:
- ABSTRACT: Captain Godfrey Hayes Royal Canadian Navy Born in Winnipeg in 1919, Hayes from a young age desired to travel. Lacking the means to travel as a passenger, after high school he enrolled in HMS Conway, a British training vessel in the hopes of earning his passage as a merchant seaman. Upon graduation from Conway, Hayes received a commission in the RNCR, and was to return for naval training when he had completed his merchant apprenticeship with the Silver Line. Serving as a merchant apprentice, Hayes made numerous trips from the US coast, around the horn of Africa, to India and back, but was mobilized by the RNR before he received any naval training. Experienced as a merchant navigator, Hayes was first assigned to an old ferry participating in the Dunkirk evacuation, where he was sunk on his second trip (see the Hal Lawrence Collection for details of this and Hayes' other pre-RCN experiences). Transferred to the RCNVR because of its better pay rates, and was assigned to HMCS Trillium, one of the first ten Canadian built corvettes as navigator. Initially intended for RN service, Trillium was re-commissioned an HMC ship due to RN personnel shortages. Initial impressions of Trillium and RCN crew compared to RN: a small ship, crew informal in bearing and dress, "rough and ready." Left Trillium in Sept. 1942 to get second mate's ticket in Sept. 1942, strictly civilian, still no naval training. Assigned to HMCS Kenogami as XO, essentially as assistant Captain to aid an inexperienced officer who had requested help on convoy duty. Spent almost a year aboard, left in October 1943 to take Command Course in Halifax, his first true naval course. Discusses details of the course, mostly review, no weapons training, good ASW simulator. Notes that when appointed ASDIC control officer aboard Trillium, didn't know what ASDIC was. Discussion of morale aboard Trillium and Kenogami and factors affecting it. Discusses the equipment aboard Trillium and Kenogami, notes that Trillium (RN owned/maintained although an HMC ship) received upgraded equipment (in Texas) that Kenogami later lacked. Talks about living conditions aboard corvettes, seasickness. Discussion of discipline problems, rare, but often dealt with by "mess deck discipline," sometimes at suggestion of officers. After command course, did five months as workup officer at Pictou, explains the details of a "workup," ASW drills, damage control drills etc. Next assigned to command HMCS Guelph, equipped with hedgehog and advanced ASDIC. Embarrassed to note that Guelph failed her workup, although he conducted it himself. Feels that the RCN has been treated harshly by historians, notes the disparity in RN/RCN equipment. Discusses training issues, believes that it varied from ship to ship depending on quality of officers and senior ratings. Argues that weather was the most difficult factor aside from enemy action. Discussion of importance of dedicated A/S hunter groups (as opposed to escort groups), feels that they played as big a role in the victory over the u-boats as aircraft., Interviewer: White, Cameron, Rank: Captain. , An interview/narrative of Godfrey Hayes's experiences during World War II. Captain Godfrey served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on March 25, 2005., and Interviewee: Hayes, Godfrey Harry
- Subject:
- World War (1914-1918), Naval history, World War (1939-1945), Military history, and Canada. Royal Canadian Navy
- Contributor:
- Hayes, Godfrey Harry and White, Cameron
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-03-25
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- India
- Coordinates:
- 22.20775, 76.97021
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- One original audio cassette in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- sound recordings, reminiscences, oral histories (literary genre), and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- HGH_435
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-09-14
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
343. Pitts, Herb: my armed forces experiences (April 4, 2005)
- Title:
- Pitts, Herb: my armed forces experiences (April 4, 2005)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of H. C. Pitts's experiences during the Korean War. Major-General Pitts served with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Interview took place on April 4, 2005., Interviewer: Miller, Bryce, ABSTRACT: Major-General H.C. Pitts (Cassette 1) Born in 1929 in Nelson BC. Attended the Canadian Services College in 1948, spending 2 years at Royal Roads and 2 years at RMC in Kingston. Trained as Armoured Corps Cadet. Commissioned in 1952 into Lord Strathcona's Horse at 19 years old. Upon Arriving in Korea was ordered into the first Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry as a Platoon Commander. Became member of advance party as an observer to join Pt battalion of the British Norfolk's brigade. Arrived back to Canadian lines 2 weeks later. Returned to D company in forward position overlooked by Hill 355. Describes times leading patrols in the valley." Describes forming P Company of the Royal Canadian Regiment. Discusses time on the hook." Recalls experience running barbed wire for which he won the Victoria Cross. Sent to NCO school as an instructor. Rejoined battalion as the base plate officer of the PPCLI mortar platoon. Fired in support of RCR when the Chinese attacked hill 187. Discusses friendly fire incidents. Goes into greater detail of family history, why he joined the military. Describes training at military college. Discusses moral of troops. (Cassette 2) Discusses equipment. Describes levels of interaction between Canadian and British and American troops. Discusses relationship with senior officers. Discusses motivation and ideology of soldiers. Explains "Forgotten War" stigma., Interviewee: Pitts, Herb, b. 1929, and Rank: Major-General.
- Subject:
- Canada. Canadian Army. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Military history, Korean War (1950-1953), and Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)
- Contributor:
- Miller, Bryce and Pitts, Herb, b. 1929
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-04-04
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 4 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Victoria
- Coordinates:
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Two original audio cassettes in Special Collections.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- oral histories (literary genre), reminiscences, sound recordings, and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- PH_442
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-11-16
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
344. George, Robert E.: my Naval experiences (November 7, and 20, 2005)
- Title:
- George, Robert E.: my Naval experiences (November 7, and 20, 2005)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Walton, Louise, ABSTRACT: Vice Admiral Robert E. George Side One 000 - Individual duties and responsibilities 020 - Media coverage on the readiness of the navy; "navy had set own trap" 072 - Why send the navy initially instead of the army or air force? 113 - Warning Orders from Chief of Defense Staff 122 - CPF program and use of its equipment 2000 - Bypassing of standard procurement process 2203 - Advantages Canada's navy had over that of our allies 2500 - Our ties with the United States 2600 - Canadian War Council; why it was formed and how it fit into the larger picture 2900 - Oka crisis; media's attempt to draw linkages 3000 - Obstacles of the whole deployment; 1) political confidence, 2) family understanding, and 3) sustainability Side Two 000 - Troop rotation 010 - Our communication compared to the UK and Australia 024 - United States short on AOL resources 040 - In hindsight; if we had had the CPFs 065 - "The Navy Triangle" in 5-9 Aug - reference to Jean Morin's book Operation Friction (Cassette 2) Side One 000 - What the navy was doing prior to 1990 100 - Government wanted a "meaningful role for the Navy"; be effective, do useful work, our expression of this had to be consistent in public 120 - Oka was also happening; Mobile Command was dealing with that 125 - Government was concerned about the navies ability; asked the CF and the navy if they were capable; if so, asked to say so publicly 150 - Role changed out of changing operational goals 160 - Higher risk in Central Gulf; had to make sure the public understood why there was a change in threat level 200 - Media joined the trip in Gibraltar (entrance to Mediterranean); they had no filing restrictions; open policy; CF had learned from previous experiences i.e. Falklands War 210 - Communication between Commands 250 - Commanders in the field had ROE so they could make on the spot 255 - ROE were approved by DND (and the government on occasion) 260 - Deputy Minister of Defense Robert Fowler was very active in decisions around decisions 270 - JTF I was the first use of designation 'JTF I' 280 - Vice-Admiral George as making decisions regarding support of the Naval Task Group; operational decisions were being made by NDHQ; no important decision was ever made in isolation 300 - Command and Control structure of the CF changed in response to Joint Command requirements 310 - Persian Gulf war was early testing/proving ground for concept of JTF, "proof was in the pudding" Side Two 000 - What the three forces (army, navy, air force) had to do to get ready 010 - DND had been going through tremendous review of cost and capability. Commanders were trying to monitor force reductions 050 - Period leading up to August 1990 were difficult on moral of staff who were coming up with ideas 055 - Persian Gulf built up confidence and moral of members 060 - The CF "suffered more at the hand of the accountants than from Saddam Hussein" 070 - Rebuilding our capability will take a long time 100 - Persian Gulf war was a wakeup call for Canadians of what could be demanded of CF, An interview/narrative of Robert E. George's experiences during the Gulf War. Vice Admiral George served with the Canadian Forces Maritime Command. Interview took place on November 7 and 20, 2005., Rank: Vice Admiral. , and Interviewee: George, Robert E.
- Subject:
- Naval history, Canada. Canadian Armed Forces. Maritime Command, Persian Gulf War (1991), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Walton, Louise and George, Robert E.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-11-07/2005-11-20
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 4 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Middle East and Australia
- Coordinates:
- -25, 135 and 33.13906, 35.85869
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- interviews, reminiscences, oral histories (literary genre), and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- GRE_534
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-08-07
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
345. Hudson, Doug: my Air Force recollections (November 7, 2005)
- Title:
- Hudson, Doug: my Air Force recollections (November 7, 2005)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Douglas Hudson's experiences during World War II. Chief Warrant Officer Hudson served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on November 7, 2005., Interviewee: Hudson, Doug, Rank: Chief Warrant Officer. , ABSTRACT: Chief Warrant Officer Douglas Hudson (Tape 1, Side 1) 00:00 introduction. Born in Winnipeg and raised on Farm. Nov 21st 1921. Talks about family history and family life (01:00-03:25). Flew with a friend before war. Discusses why he joined RCAF (04:25). Went to join the Navy, but by a quirk of fate joined the RCAF. Recruits ahead of the building mustering in new recruits. Backlog of recruits. Talks about education at Brandon College and then posted to Winnipeg No. 3 wireless school (07:15). Had no experience with radios beforehand. Posted to Paulson Manitoba for gunnery course (09:13). Never fired a gun in combat. Discusses H2S, belly gun on Halifax's and Jazz guns on night-fighters (10:00). Sent to Lachine Quebec and then took a ship across (11:30) Posted to RAF Millon. Discusses Square searches over Irish sea (13:45). Discusses O.T.U. in Ossington in Wellingtons (15:15). Was very comfortable with his training and worked hard at it (16:15). Commanding Officers first statement at Millon was "I have no use for Canadians" (17:12). Instructors there had no operational experience up until that point. Discusses his Operational Training Unit (O.T.U.) in Ossington. RAF (18:13). Discusses Crewing-up procedure (20:00). Flew on Mk 2 and 7 Halifaxes in O.T.U. (23:10). Flew Mk3's which were much more reliable than 2's. Mk2s would lose power at inopportune times. Discusses logbook (24:40). First raid was to Bochom. Had 9 Diversions all together (29:50) Discusses hung-up bomb on board (30:40) Discusses fuel related issues (31:40). Felt he always had enough fuel. (Tape 1, Side 2) (00:00-01:45) Discussing incident on takeoff with snow on the ground. Discusses an operational day (01:45). Discusses how they didn't think anything of it at the time, but later recalled reservations about bombing civilians. Dresden, Hamburg (03:40). Discusses the feelings of crews towards Harris (05:48) Consecutive bombing missions (07:00). Discusses sleep patterns (09:30). Lack of Moral Fiber (09:45-10:30). Discusses how lack of sleep affected performance. Difficulty of being located in Yorkshire (11:20) Discusses the Gee Box and Fishpond (13:28). He operated Fishpond and window on the Halifax's. Using 'window' (15:15). Discusses Tinseling (15:40). Discusses inter-crew friendships (19:32). (end at 20:47) (Tape 2, Side 1) Conversation continued on after initially turning off the tape, so it was agreed on by interviewer and interviewee to continue the recording. Discusses missions in more detail (00:00). Anecdote about volunteering with another crew (03:30-07:39). Encounter with icing (07:35). Discusses the learning curve with operational flying (09:25). Discusses being coned by searchlights and the evasive manoeuvres as a result (12:30). Evasive action almost tore the aircraft apart. Coned on multiple occasions. Talking about the disastrous raid on Nuremberg (13:50). Discusses relationship with ground crew (16:40). They didn't let the aircrew take pictures with ground crew. They were not well informed on casualty rates while on operation (17:10). He didn't know anything about the casualty figures until well after the war. End of Interview. (Tape 2, Side 1) (19:09), and Interviewer: Chapman, Matthew
- Subject:
- World War (1914-1918), Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, Military history, and World War (1939-1945)
- Contributor:
- Chapman, Matthew and Hudson, Doug
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-11-07
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 3 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Nova Scotia--Halifax
- Coordinates:
- 44.6464, -63.57291
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- interviews, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- HD_522
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-07-19
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
346. Frewen, Catherine: my Air Force recollections (November 8, 2006)
- Title:
- Frewen, Catherine: my Air Force recollections (November 8, 2006)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Frewen, Catherine, ABSTRACT: Catherine Frewen Cathy enlisted in the air force as a Nursing Officer in Regina Saskatchewan October, 1972. Her motivations for joining were for challenges, new experiences, and to further her career in nursing. She was a part of an eight member surgical team that was deployed to the Persian Gulf in January 1991, and assigned to the USNS Mercy. Cathy discusses the difference between the Canadian and American Military services, and her experience as a woman in the military., An interview/narrative of Catherine Frewen's experiences whilst serving as a Nursing Officer in the Air Force. Interview took place on November 8, 2005., and Interviewer: Genest, Natalie
- Subject:
- Military nursing, Persian Gulf War (1991), Military history, and Women soldiers
- Contributor:
- Genest, Natalie and Frewen, Catherine
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-11-08
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Saskatchewan--Regina and Persian Gulf
- Coordinates:
- 27, 51 and 50.45008, -104.6178
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- interviews, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- FC_526
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-07-26
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
347. Summers, Kenneth J.: my Naval experiences (November 9, 2005)
- Title:
- Summers, Kenneth J.: my Naval experiences (November 9, 2005)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Walton, Louise, Interviewee: Summers, Kenneth J., An interview/narrative of Kenneth Summers's experiences during the Gulf War. Rear Admiral Summers served with the Canadian Forces Maritime Command. Interview took place on November 9, 2005., ABSTRACT: Rear Admiral Kenneth Summers Side One 000 - Introduction; currently President of the Vancouver Island Officers Association. Also acts as a military advisor for CBC 010 - Background to summer 1990 in Canada; Meeche Lake Accord and Oka Crisis 020 - Original talk of military action against Iraq was a naval blockade 040 - Canada and the US communication to determine what forces would be contributed 050 - Decision to send Naval group because it was flexible; offensive or defensive, near or far 060 - General uncertainty as to where the ships would end up; sailed without a firm destination 130 - Anti-surface weapons not much use in the Gulf; would need anti-air capabilities 140 - Media criticism 160 - Warning Order; not question of would navy participate but how much and how well 192 - Our ability to communicate (equipment and practices) with the US necessitated our working with them 220 - War Cabinet set up 270 - Bahrain conference 300 - Our decision to take station in Central Gulf embarrassed other allies who had planned to remaining Gulf of Oman; they then followed into Central Gulf 330 - Rear-Admiral Summers handpicked all key personnel; wanted them to be able to 'think outside box' 350 - Closest Canadian ships got to action; missiles fired in their direction, mines 370 - Reason Canadian air craft luck not to get shoot down because always flew above triple A fire (anti air) 400 - "Iron clad control" of all weapons by the Commanding Officers; avoid 'incidences' 405 - Incident with media aircraft; did not identify itself and almost shoot down 420 - Relationship with the media Side Two 000 - Media was very astute to what was happening 010 - One really negative media story; Paul Koring of the Globe and Mail wrote that morale was low; he said it "made good copy" 030 - Comparing pre-deployment press to the press coverage in theater 040 - Boardings were boring to report on, and Rank: Rear Admiral.
- Subject:
- Naval history, Canada. Canadian Armed Forces. Maritime Command, Persian Gulf War (1991), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Summers, Kenneth J. and Walton, Louise
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-11-09
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Iraq and Kuwait
- Coordinates:
- 29.5, 47.75 and 33, 44
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- reminiscences, interviews, sound recordings, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- SKJ_536
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-08-10
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
348. Tedlie, A. James: my Army recollections (November 9, 2005)
- Title:
- Tedlie, A. James: my Army recollections (November 9, 2005)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Weatherbe, Steve, Interviewee: Tedlie, A. James, ABSTRACT: James Tedlie Side 1 Tedlie enlists in 1939 in Duke of York Hussars, for cavalry, 1940 joins Royal Montreal Regt as officer cadet, low opinion of Canadian preparedness, buys own equipment, not enough trained people. His regiment becomes reconnaissance then turned into tank regiment before D-Day, given seven weeks training Shermans on tank fundamentals only. Makeup of an armoured division. The way tanks supposed to be fought was not the way they were, in infantry support piecemeal. Operation Totalize, massed confusion. Canadian High Command not knowing how to fight armoured. Discusses training in England. Ways to counter German tanks. How quality of leadership improved through the war. On the Canadian army's performance in Normandy. Reasons for Fourth Armoured Div lapses: loss of Booth, firing of Kitching.. Strengths of Canadian soldier. Canadians as good as any Allied force under circumstances. British Columbia Regiment disaster at Hill 140. German tanks better. Use of Going Maps. BCR issued 17 pounder guns. Side 2 Too much planning and too little. How leadership improved as war progressed, Bob Moncel's leadership, on the lack of trained replacements, on learning as you went along. On the Falaise pocket and closing the gap. How Chris Vokes saved Kurt Meyer's life. On the practicality of tanks today and superiority of German tactics. Tape 1, Side 1 000 - training in Canada. 100 - reinforcing the BCR after Hill 140 200 - armoured tactics, Totalize 264 - Hill 140 283 - night fighting, Bergen op Zoom 306 - Austin McBride and German tanks 329 - Going maps 336 - counter tactics 378 - Brian Horrocks, 17-pounder Side 2 001 - Poor leadership got better 031 - Brian Horrocks' leadership 040 - Polish guinea pigging 081 - speculative shooting 092 - artillery use, infantry support role 144 - what to do when tank hit. 154 - reconnaissance role 165 - Canadian tank tactics assessed 206 - Kurt Meyer saved by Gen. Chris Vokes 223 - mobile warfare, night fights 260 - Inutility of tanks in 21st century 272 - German success assessed 293 - What to do if tank hit 297 - Canadian generalship improving. Harry Foster, Chris Vokes, Geo. Kitching, Bob Moncel all good 343 - Shortage of replacements 361 - Lessons learned from NW Europe 402 - Quality of Canada's NATO tank force Tape 2, Side 1 000 - On Canadian failure to close Falaise Pocket 031 - Quality of Canadian soldier, army in NW Europe, and An interview/narrative of James Tedlie's experiences during World War II. Interview took place on November 9, 2005.
- Subject:
- Tanks (Military science), World War (1914-1918), World War (1939-1945), Military history, and Operation Overlord
- Contributor:
- Weatherbe, Steve and Tedlie, A. James
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-11-09
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 3 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Québec--Montréal and England
- Coordinates:
- 52.16045, -0.70312 and 45.50884, -73.58781
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- interviews, sound recordings, reminiscences, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- TAJ_539
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-08-17
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
349. Baillie, James: my Air Force recollections (November 10, 2005)
- Title:
- Baillie, James: my Air Force recollections (November 10, 2005)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Chapman, Matthew, ABSTRACT: Wing Commander James Baillie (Tape 1, Side 1) (00:00-00:42 intro) Discusses pre-war family life. Born in Saskatchewan. Why he joined the RCAF (04:20). Didn't want to be in the army. First tried to join the RCAF in Feb 1940, but was turned down. Got in Feb 1941. Discusses training unit (06:50). Flight instructors were few and far between with no operational experience. Discusses flight training hours from logbook (09:38). 184 hours day, 10 hours night before he became a flight instructor. Went to Trenton to become an instructor, Discusses his training of other students (12:30). There was little pressure to send pilots through the two year program. More than enough applicants. First posting overseas was to Bournemouth (13:35). Discusses his only trip in a mosquito (14:50). Discusses advanced flying unit activities A.F.U. (16:30). Went to No.24 O.T.U. (21:30) By that time he had 1400 hours. There he was trained on Wellingtons. Discusses crewing up in O.T.U. Men could pick for themselves who they wanted to be crewed up with (22:20). Checkout with the operational unit was only 45 minutes of airtime (27:10). Lost an Engine and had a conflict with a Wellington. Wellington was not in contact with tower (28:30). In operational training "Flashlight" missions, he acted as decoy for the real bomber streams (31:10). Most pilots had 230-250 hours by this point. Then he went to 426 Squadron located at Linton-on-Ouse. (34:25) Flew Halifax MkIII at Operational Unit. Casualty rates were extraordinarily high (37:35). "Promotions over dead men's backs." First Combat operation to Hagen Dec 2nd 1944 (40:40). Discusses the difference between American and Canadian bases (46:09). Daylight raids (47:05). Christmas-eve mission to Düsseldorf. (End Tape 1, Side 1) (Tape 1, Side 2) "Brits knew nothing about snow." Weather Reporting (03:35). Hung-Up bomb on trip. Went to a bomb disposal area of ocean and opened the bomb bay doors just as the bomb un-froze (06:30). Discusses how primitive navigation and bomb aiming was at the beginning of his trip when compared to the end. H2S and Oboe (09:35). Discusses bomber stream tactics over the target (12:15). Navigation tactics (13:50). March 5th raid to Chemnitz (14:20). British AA firing on friendly bombers (18:30). Gee Line approach (19:18). Command thought there was a problem with the gasoline because so many aircraft had gone down shortly after takeoff (21:40). Icing in an unseen line quall. The engineer always smeared the anti-icing grease on the wing. Training for special equipment done on operations (24:40). His navigator would use a wingtip referencing of the flack to judge their course. He used Heligoland in this sense as a beacon. Mission to Kiel and then a diversion to Wigsley (26:55). Bird-strikes on the takeoff back to base. Prop over-speed (29:00). Last mission (33:23) was to Wangarooge. Lancaster turned right into a Halifax beside him and killed everyone. Screened after that mission. (36:20) 6 Group went to Nova Scotia thereafter. They went to Yarmouth. They never got trained on Lancaster's. He volunteered to go to Japan. But when that war ended, he took his discharge in Regina. Discuss post war duties (37:34). He was made the commanding officer of an auxiliary squadron. Made Wing Commander while in the squadron. (42:00) Talks about being in the reserves and had one flight in a T33. (43:20 End Tape 1, Side 2), Rank: Wing Commander. , An interview/narrative of James Baillie's experiences during World War II. Wing Commander Baillie served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on November 10, 2005., and Interviewee: Baillie, James
- Subject:
- Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, World War (1939-1945), World War (1914-1918), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Baillie, James and Chapman, Matthew
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-11-10
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Japan
- Coordinates:
- 35.68536, 139.75309
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- oral histories (literary genre), interviews, reminiscences, and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- BJ_521
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-07-18
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
350. Irwin, Ross: my Air Force recollections (November 10, 2005)
- Title:
- Irwin, Ross: my Air Force recollections (November 10, 2005)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Chapman, Matthew, Interviewee: Irwin, Ross, Rank: Warrant Officer. , An interview/narrative of Ross Irwin's experiences during World War II. Warrant Officer Irwin served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on November 10, 2005., and ABSTRACT: Warrant Officer Irwin Ross (Tape1, Side1) Discusses Family Life (00:46). Born in Sarnia Ont. Went to school in Toronto and worked for DeHavilland A/C. Joined RCAF in Aug 1940 (03:05). Went to Brandon Manning pool. Should have gone to Toronto Manning Depot, but typhoid outbreak caused him to go to Manitoba. Discusses manning depot (04:35). Parade ground training. Went to CRAFTS Canadian Royal Air Force Training School in St Thomas Ont. Posted initially to Dunville Ont. Was only there about 3 months, then posted to #3 wireless school in Winnipeg. Flying Tiger Moths. 1st of Nov 1941 was promoted to Corporal and in December went to Halifax to wait for a ship to take him over. From Bournemouth went to 418 squadron (09:15). In April 418 moved to Bradville Bay in Essex. More and more Canadians joining at this point. (11:50) Discussion about hard landings on Tricycle landing gear. Discusses how he went from being a mechanic to flight crew (14:35). They were looking for volunteers who were mechanics to take training as a flight engineer. He was then posted to St. Athens in Wales. Loved the Hercules engines. Sleeve Valve engine. Part of the course was a gunnery course (16:15). This was when 6th group was forming. So he thought he was going to RCAF. Discusses a crash landing in a Halifax at his HCU (20:25). He questions why the pilot decided to do a one wheel landing (22:35). Believed that he was comfortable with the training at his HCU, but thought that possibly the pilot was not (24:15). 6 Group was seen as a bit of a chop operation. He also found out that they could get away with little things that they could not have in 6 Group. Discusses his duties on a mission (29:50). Main job was keeping track of the fuel. They did not have any Gas gauges, so they waited until an engine actually shut off before switching tanks. Fuel was very important. Talks about the early Halifaxes (31:50). He thought it was a very satisfactory aircraft. It was easy to get in and out of, as opposed to a Lancaster. One night, they had problems with the rudders and went into a spin over Duisberg. Spun from 19000 to 5000 before pulling out. Discusses issues relating to the location of the Yorkshire bases in the north (34:30). Excitement kept them awake (35:50). Went on back to back missions. Did Frankfurt on one night and Stuttgart on the other night. Given wakey-wakey pills every mission, though usually didn't take the pills until on the way home. Discusses the timetable of a day's mission (37:10). Discussing the briefings received and how useful they were (40:08). He was told targets, flight route, types of flares. Discusses winds (41:20). Discusses H2S and Oboe. Didn't feel there was an increase in accuracy in bomb aiming. Discusses the battle of the Ruhr (46:00). (End of Tape 1, Side 1) (Tape 1, Side 2) Discusses his first pilot (02:20). The pilot used to grunt and groan as they went down the runway. Discusses 2nd crew (04:33). He didn't like to make friends. "It's best not to make friends." Discusses mission in which he earned his distinguished flying medal (06:16). Talks about his crew continuing on after he was screened (11:00). RAF procedures for reporting men missing (21:00) (23:14 End)
- Subject:
- Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, Military history, World War (1914-1918), Tanks (Military science), and World War (1939-1945)
- Contributor:
- Chapman, Matthew and Irwin, Ross
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2005-11-10
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- 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
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Nova Scotia--Halifax
- Coordinates:
- 44.6464, -63.57291
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording on audio cassette also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- interviews, sound recordings, reminiscences, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- IR_523
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2012-07-19
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.