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)
391. Myles, Donald H.: my Air Force recollections (November 15, 2006)
- Title:
- Myles, Donald H.: my Air Force recollections (November 15, 2006)
- Description:
- Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel. , ABSTRACT: Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Myles 1980 - 25th NORAD region McCord air force base. No dividing line between Canadians and Americans at McCord air base. Co-Located. They responded to information provided from Colorado Springs. Russians still floating over bombers to test surveillance. Don dealt with BC, Washington, and W. Montana to activate fighter force to investigate what was coming in. SLBMs, they were the worst you could get on west coast. Dealt with BEARS. He dealt with the deployment of the F-101s. US attachment at Comox to deal with arming nukes on Canadian fighters. He only dealt with area concerned with 25th division. Defense capabilities adequate with threat in the 25th division. Didn't matter if it was US or Canadian general whoever was in charge that day called the shots. Don assisted in overseeing the interceptor forces and monitored information being transmitted to their base. Dealt with lots of unknowns. Missiles were going to be first attack. Primary concern that all the radar personnel and fighter squadrons all well trained and knew what they had to do. Colorado Springs Oversaw the Back up facility with a 6 man crew. They were to take over if mountain went down. BUF limited capabilities. Getting information from same sources but not display capabilities as normal command center. Direction of fighters would be left to someone else, but they would oversee the monitoring. Multiple hats only way it could be done to respond. He witnessed Space Command coming into station. CINCNORAD, CINCSpace Command, and CINC USAF. US Space same information as NORAD received. He wasn't sure on what all satellites did, less people knew about it the better. DCINC must have known about all the satellites, had access to all information. Crews were mixed Canadian/US. SDI-"Politicians get excited about something they don't understand." Politicians could have found out the position of NORAD and how SDI fit in but they did not take the time to figure research into it. Politicians will believe what they want to believe. Not familiar with NWS he regarded it as updated DEW line. The shutting down of radar stations, left the interior of continent became a big black whole. US putting in the OTHBs, but if something got inside hard to track something. Always had a perimeter system. Story of working on E-3, he found them to be a good system. Once again, there was a US & Canadian overseers of US & Canadian crews working. Very boring. Another day at the office, great training for the crews. Threat had been the same for him during his years. In 1986 when Space Command came in was biggest change he witnessed. They were to take over BUF. No Canadians in Space Command. Space Command does not know much about NORAD. Canadian contributions went down, with Canadian fighters and radar stations. Lot different than having the squadrons sitting in Comox. Canadian military role diminished in NORAD was due to money i.e. politicians. 12 squadrons down to 3 all through Trudoue. Space Command does not diminish Canada's role in NORAD, they were only concerned with space. NORAD provided Canada Air Defense. A separate system would have been effective. Canada would have never been able to provide it itself. NORAD very interesting particularly in McCord and BUF in Colorado Springs. Never had the opportunity to do that in Canada., Interviewer: Mooney, John, Interviewee: Myles, Donald H., and An interview/narrative of Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Myles's experiences with the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Interview took place on November 15, 2006.
- Subject:
- Military history, Personal narratives--Canadian, and North American Aerospace Defense Command
- Contributor:
- Mooney, John and Myles, Donald H.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-15
- 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:
- Colorado--Colorado Springs
- Coordinates:
- 38.83388, -104.82136
- 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:
- sound recordings, reminiscences, interviews, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- MDH_492
- 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:
- 2013-01-23
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
392. Patterson, Gerry: my Air Force recollections (November 15, 2006)
- Title:
- Patterson, Gerry: my Air Force recollections (November 15, 2006)
- Description:
- Rank: Colonel. , ABSTRACT: Colonel Gerry Patterson Comox 1963-1966 Involved with NORAD 409 Squadron in Comox. Flight Commander 24 hour combat air patrols, flying 25th NORAD region commanded by Washington center. NORAD made decision to intercept fighters. COMOX threat was the BEAR. Flying out of Siberian bases. Once a month scrambled to intercept fighters. 101 very adequate to deal with the Soviet Bear. CF100 only had 2 rockets to deal with threat, but a slower airplane, barely as fast as a BEAR. Soviets developing supersonic bombers. CF101 bought from the US. 2 conventional weapons, and inside weapons bay two aircraft carrying a nuke warhead. US controlling arming of nukes on Canadian Airplanes. Patterson never encountered a Bear, but some people at squadron did. Story of how co-pilot waved bottle at Bear on intercept. He did intercepts for 3 years, stress resulted in very tiring job. Had to be ready in 5 minuets. 2 on 5 min. alert and 2 on 1 hour alert, when 5's scrambled, 1's had to be ready. Patterson wanted to encounter Bear, "we were warriors." Humorous story on intercept on flying Tiger airline, never in correlation box. Washington base directly commanded Canadian planes. When he was in the air he was in contact with 25th NORAD region. High operational state. In Comox for 4 years. North Bay. 1968-1971 HQ for 22nd NORAD region. Officer of training, responsible for training fighter force. Visited fighter squadrons assessing them and over looking exercisers. No relaxation under NORAD. Massive training operations big force, all the way across the country. They really exercised the system. Blackjack and Blinder, supersonic bomber, all soviet aircraft carried nuclear weapons. Tiring for men at North Bay. BOMARC just another weapon system. Never had anything to do with them. Closure of BOMARC means fighters only defense. 1974-76 North Bay DC opts. No change in number of fighters at North Bay. NORAD Command- Command Director. 1976-78 2 IC Canadian Brigadier General, 5 crew men below the 2 IC, He was the Canadian on the crew. Dealing with DEW line and backscatter radar. NORAD really surveys the world including satellites. "Spider in the center of a great web." No OTHB on the West Coast, left to the E-3. Still had air-defense radars. Did the E-3 have a significant role on the coast. Pretty effective air plane. The West Coast of Canada was not particularly vulnerable. False alarms. Focus being shifted towards Space Command. Number of regular force fighters reduced. Numbers of traditional fighters are being reduced. "We surveyed the world all the time." Diminishing role of radar with diminishing role of radar. Canada not involved with space operations. Commanded a crew of 400 US Air Force people, he was stand in for CINC NORAD. He called the shots from his position. NORAD would have to activate with missile threat and respond. Still large soviet bomber force maintained throughout the cold war making Canada's role essential. NORAD still had to maintain response capabilities. Alaska only independent NORAD region. "No" encounter with being a Canadian in command of lots of USAF forces. "Very effective alliance, working as one military force." NORAD big part of the Cold War defense of the homeland. Lot of interchanged fighter forces. Space Command not really part of NORAD, but access to satellite feeds. NORAD tracked ICBM with satellites. NORAD had to launch all fighters in the event of a soviet missile attack. Gerry had to do that on one of his shifts "flushing the system." False alarm and system reacted quickly. Things got tense sometimes, when a threat was perceived, it became very stressful. Only kept there for 2 years because of stress levels. Crew systems operated on 2 swings 2 mids etc., internal clock messed. USAF controlled nukes at all times, CINCNORAD could flush with all nukes theoretically, but it takes a long time to arm nukes on planes. "Just part of the system to transmit order." Regarding Nuclear weapon deployment. "maximum twitch factor" pretty exciting. Canadian Politicians ignorant of things military. It was difficult to nukes for BOMARC "elections won and lost on that sort of thing." Average MP does not have a clue to defense capabilities. ABM - "I suspect that we opted out of missile defense, we had to sit out on lots of meetings." Gerry sat in on everything. NORAD would be in the middle of Star Wars by nature. NORAD was involved with missile defense. "Politicians cannot tell the difference between air breathing and non air breathing." Trudue impressed the hell out of them. Ending story on 18-25 year olds loving to fly F18's. Warrior where you get to use your training., Interviewer: Mooney, John, An interview/narrative of Colonel Gerry Patterson's experiences with the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Interview took place on November 15, 2006., and Interviewee: Patterson, Gerry
- Subject:
- Cold War (1945-1989), Military history, and North American Aerospace Defense Command
- Contributor:
- Mooney, John and Patterson, Gerry
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-15
- 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:
- British Columbia--Comox and Ontario--North Bay
- Coordinates:
- 46.3168, -79.46633 and 49.68294, -124.93613
- 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:
- reminiscences, interviews, oral histories (literary genre), and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- PG_493
- 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:
- 2013-01-23
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
393. Reid, Thomas: my Air Force recollections (November 15, 2006)
- Title:
- Reid, Thomas: my Air Force recollections (November 15, 2006)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Reid, Thomas, An interview/narrative of Colonel Thomas Reid's experiences with the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Interview took place on November 15, 2006., Rank: Colonel. , Interviewer: Mooney, John, and ABSTRACT: Colonel Thomas Reid Discusses NORAD objective of dealing with Soviet air-breathing threats. Aircrafts used and 2 minute alert. Each sector had a 2 aircraft minimum and at Duluth scrabbled fighters 2-3 times a week on unknowns, most aircrafts domestics no flight plan correlation. North Bay 1980. North Bay had become the Canadian NORAD region, area of responsibility of Canada to the DEW line. DEW line only responsible for monitoring air breathing threat. Formation of Space Command, Commander of NORAD, was CINC NORAD, was the Air Force Space Commander, and the Unified Space Commander. NORAD mission stayed with air-breathing threat. Space Command dealt with monitoring ICBMs and possible ICBM interception. CINC always American a result of the NORAD agreement. Emphasis changing on threat during Reagan's early years. NORAD part of a much world system, that provided vital information to US intelligence. NORAD received some information of world sensors, for assessment of what threat what might be, if ICBM then relied to another CINC's hat to a retaliatory system. Threat assessment on one side and retaliation on other side. World sensors not part of NORAD, only part of it would come to NORAD. Canada benefited from NORAD knowledge in time of crisis. Threat information led to appropriate posture of Canadian posture. Bombers continue to be threat, even a first wave attack. Threat for Canada never changed from NORAD's initiation in regards to Soviet bombers. BMD developed in the United States separate from NORAD. Over the horizon back scatter radar never put into operational effect. The E-3A, being deployed and manned by Canadian crews. Defensive posture weakened by E-3A, not a 24 hour system. Colorado Springs 1986-1990 in charge before Space Command came in. In charge of taking out North Dew Line sites and Pine Tree line coming out and working on the remote unmanned North Warning System. Development of FOL's, Forward Operating Locations. OTHB systems supposed to look over east and west coast, but never came in, therefore weakening the capabilities of NORAD. West Coast of Canada vulnerable. E-3 to fill gap of West Coast. NORAD has responsibility for air breathing side of NORAD. There should be no problem with Canada developing BMD on the warning and threat assessment side and not the response side.
- Subject:
- Military history, Personal narratives--Canadian, and North American Aerospace Defense Command
- Contributor:
- Reid, Thomas and Mooney, John
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-15
- 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:
- Colorado--Colorado Springs
- Coordinates:
- 38.83388, -104.82136
- 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:
- oral histories (literary genre), interviews, reminiscences, and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- RT_494
- 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:
- 2013-01-24
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
394. Scotten, Kenneth R.: my naval experiences (November 15, 2006)
- Title:
- Scotten, Kenneth R.: my naval experiences (November 15, 2006)
- Description:
- ABSTRACT: Captain Kenneth Scotten Captain Scotten interview.mp3 (0:00) High school education before joining military. University education after joined navy. Initially wanted to fly. Had not seen salt water until he joined the Navy, and decided that was the way to go. (2:30) Brief description of diplomatic mission to USSR. Preserver was one of the first ships there since 1936. Boat people were somewhat common in the 80's though a rescue operation was not expected. (4:20) Crew offered own clothes and toys to the Boat people. The government was very supportive of the operation by way of diplomatic assistance. Scotten communicated with Ambassador in Manila all the time. Tripartite group formed in Ottawa created to deal with problem. (7:40) Ship had Doctor and Dentist, though the Doctor was away during the arrival of the boat people. In the meantime Senior Medical Assistant and his assistant dealt with the sick refugees. The doctor returned with more supplies later on. (13:19) Pros and cons of the Preserver for this operation; facilities were overwhelmed yet other merchant ships couldn't have done this. Preserver had space, medical expertise, and numbers of people capable of providing care. (17:24) Explains how ship was divided up. (20:34) Explains burial at sea, which was the best option for dealing with refugee casualties. (24:45) Crew morale was huge. The crew gave toys, sang songs etc. 3 teams were formed to keep watch over refugees. Preserver was the only ship with women onboard. (28:27) Concerned with not being able to land refugees at next port, which is normally the case with rescue missions, because refugees are a chronic problem in the Philippines. Description of different communication systems. (35:59) Tropical storms Nathan and Ophelia cause problems. Ophelia causes him to go 8 hours off course and anchor for one night outside of the port in Manila. (38:30) Refugee morale is a mix of being grateful for life and apprehension. The Filipino government decides it, for the time being, will only accept the severely sick and their family members. (43:55) Description of the difficult docking process. The eventual Canada-Philippine compromise is that the Philippines will accept the Vietnamese boat people as long as Canada takes responsibly for the legitimate refugees and the repatriation of the others. Tearful departure with refugees. (50:57) Successful mission because of the lives saved. It's a good news story about the military that people like to see. Involved risky decisions. (56:07) Brief description of contact with people after 1990. There was a 1, 5, and 10 year reunion. Refugees consider the Preserver their 'mother' because she gave them a second life. (59:50) Received Meritorious Service Cross and was honoured, though he felt he received it on behalf of the entire crew. Mention of his son being on ship. (1:01:24) Concluding comments. (1:04:42), An interview/narrative of Captain Kenneth Scotten's experiences whilst serving with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on November 15, 2006., Interviewee: Scotten, Kenneth R., Rank: Captain. , and Interviewer: Perry, Marie
- Subject:
- Personal narratives--Canadian, Canada. Royal Canadian Navy, and Military history
- Contributor:
- Scotten, Kenneth R. and Perry, Marie
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-15
- 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:
- Ontario--Ottawa
- Coordinates:
- 45.41117, -75.69812
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original recording (MP3) on compact disc (CD) 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), sound recordings, interviews, and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- SKR_500
- 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:
- 2006-11-15
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 112 kbps and 44 kHz. Digitized by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2006. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
395. Leverend, Alfred: my Army recollections (November 16, 2006)
- Title:
- Leverend, Alfred: my Army recollections (November 16, 2006)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Ker, Lucas, Interviewee: Leverend, Alfred, Rank: Private. , An interview/narrative of Private Fred Leverend's experiences as a prisoner of war during World War II. Interview took place on November 16, 2006., and ABSTRACT: Private Alfred Lereverend Infantry 0:24 participation in the war. 1:25 capture, in a raid. 2:15 treatment after capture, injured and treatment in hospital. 3:30 treatment in the camp with food and heating and medical treatment. 4:30 layout of the camp. 6:25 daily routine. 8:10 work detail in salt mines. 9:00 command structure of the camp. 12:30 duties of officers. 13:50 black market. 14:40 sharing among the men. 15:00 camp formality. 15:55 escape attempts. 16:16 His own escape from the salt mines. 18:25 approaching victory and the changes within the camp. 19:25 German propaganda influence on POWs. 20:36 faith and hope. 22:00 Passive resistance in the mines, no reprisals. 23:45 German political prisoners and his contact with them. 25:10 Treatment of prisoners of other nations, mostly Russians. 26:08 Debriefing after being picked up by allies after escape. 26:58 shut off tape to cut outside noise. 27:00 reference to book and poster warning against escape, return to debriefing. 29:00 journey home and treatment along the way. 30:00 condition of homecoming camp, view on "zombies," non-combat draftees. 32:00 entertainment in the camp, orchestra, but nothing else, weekly writing, all they could do was walk. 33:12 Bonds formed in captivity.
- Subject:
- Personal narratives--Canadian, World War (1939-1945), Military history, and World War (1914-1918)
- Contributor:
- Ker, Lucas and Leverend, Alfred
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-16
- 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:
- Canada
- Coordinates:
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original recording (DVF) on compact disc (CD) 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:
- reminiscences, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- LA_486
- 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:
- 2013-01-23
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
396. Wilkes, Sylvia: my wartime experiences (November 16, 2006)
- Title:
- Wilkes, Sylvia: my wartime experiences (November 16, 2006)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Sylvia Wilkes's experiences during World War II. Wilkes served with the Womena's Land Army. Interview took place on November 16, 2006., ABSTRACT: Sylvia Wilkes (née Kegan) Mrs. Sylvia Wilkes (nee Kegan) was born in Arlington, Sussex in Britain. She was 14 years old when World War Two began, and joined the land army. She was stationed in the home town where she worked on a farm, doing typical farm work such as milking cows. She met her husband Jack when she was 16 at a railway station, and they were engaged when she was 18, married in September 1945 in Britain. He was a Canadian soldier from Nova Scotia, and went back to Canada in August 1946, and she followed in December 1946. She was delayed in her voyage when her ship, the Empire Brent (formerly the Leticia), hit a cattle ship and had to be in port for another week before embarking to Canada. The voyage took 12-13 days before arriving in Nova Scotia. Mrs. Wilkes boarded the train to Regina, where her husband was there to meet her and their son. Their son had been suffering from Tuberculosis and had to be taken to the sanatorium; soon afterwards Jack became ill as well, having to be hospitalized. Sylvia moved to Echo Lake, which was closer to the Sanatorium because he son Keith was there and begun to work there as well. Sylvia and Jack had a total of 5 children - Keith, Robert, Colin, Peter, and Joanne. For work, Jack did odd jobs, but their goal was to own a farm. The Veteran's Land Act was able to find them a farm to rent, but they were frozen out for two seasons and found it unsustainable. They continued to do farm work for others in and around Abernethy (outside of Regina). Jack died in 1980 and Sylvia was convinced by her now grown children to move out to Victoria, B.C. Here, she retired and is an active member of the War Bride Association, bowls, travels and goes to church., Interviewer: Price, Kristin, and Interviewee: Wilkes, Sylvia
- Subject:
- World War (1939-1945), Personal narratives--Canadian, World War (1914-1918), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Wilkes, Sylvia and Price, Kristin
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-16
- 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:
- British Columbia--Victoria
- Coordinates:
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- 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, reminiscences, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- WS_506
- 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:
- 2013-01-24
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
397. Berezowski, Julian Cecil: my Army recollections (November 18, 2006)
- Title:
- Berezowski, Julian Cecil: my Army recollections (November 18, 2006)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Berezowski, Julian Cecil, b. 1929, Interviewer: Pratt, Will, ABSTRACT: Lieutenant-Colonel Julian Berezowski Biographical Sketch Joined a Reserve Force field artillery battery in 1945, Kamsack, Sask. Gunner affiliation until retirement from Regular Force Nov. 1984. Trained as an officer cadet at the Royal Canadian School of Artillery at Work Point Barracks. Commissioned a Regular Force 2/lt in Victoria in195l. Served with an antiaircraft Battery in Victoria until 1955. Two years as Army Recruiting Officer on Vancouver Island. 1957 Germany First Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. 1959 artillery survey course, Royal School of Artillery in England. Return to the First Regiment in Germany promoted to captain, forward observation officer. 1961 instructor at the Royal Canadian School Artillery, Shilo, Man. Central Command Headquarters in Oakville, Ont., general staff from 1964 until 1967. United Nations in Cyprus, Canadian operations and intelligence staff officer, Aug. 1965-Feb. 1966. 1968 second in command of a Militia artillery training regiment Headquarters, Camp Borden, Ont., promoted to major. Mobile Command Headquarters at St. Hubert, P.Q. in Sept. 1970 general staff, FLQ crisis in Quebec. Staff Officer (Army Reserves), Canadian Forces Headquarters in Ottawa. United States Army Command and General Staff Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1972-73. 4 years at Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, Kingston, Ont. Promoted to LCol in 1976. Washington, DC in 1977, senior Canadian liaison officer to Headquarters, US Army Material Command. National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa 1981 until retirement in 1984, Director of Standardization Coordination. Returned to Victoria, 1985. A director with Royal United Services Institute of Victoria and the Federation of Military and United Services Institutes of Canada. Interview Summary This interview dealt primarily with Berezowski's 1965-66 posting to the United Nations Force in Cyprus as the operations and intelligence staff officer. 1:00 Artillery Training @ Shilo, 6:00 Germany and NATO, 12:30 FLQ Mobile Command HQ, 21:00 Observed Van Doo's & "Operation Snowgoose", 27:00 June 1965 learns of posting to Cyprus, 54:00 Organization of UN HQ, 1:07:00 Development of Intelligence Classification system for UN, 1:16:00 Swedish Contingent @ Famagusta, 1:27:00 Intelligence issues with UN, 1:45 Intelligence system explained, 2:00:00 Leave to Beirut, 2:05:00 Incident involving death of General Thimaya, 2:24:00 Greek Cypriot Armour and UN Recoilless Rifles, 2:31:00 Informal Cold War diplomacy, 2:43:00 Commentary on Canadian Peacekeeping, An interview/narrative of Lieutenant-Colonel Julian Berezowski's experiences whilst serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. Interview took place on November 18, 2006., and Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.
- Subject:
- United Nations, United Nations. Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus, Cold War (1945-1989), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Pratt, Will and Berezowski, Julian Cecil, b. 1929
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-18
- 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:
- British Columbia--Victoria and Germany
- Coordinates:
- 51.5, 10.5 and 48.4359, -123.35155
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original recording (WAV) on compact disc (CD) 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, reminiscences, sound recordings, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- BJC_501
- 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:
- 2006-11-21
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 8 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 44 kHz. Digitized by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2006. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
398. Mitchell, Pat J.: my Army recollections (November 20, 2006)
- Title:
- Mitchell, Pat J.: my Army recollections (November 20, 2006)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Pratt, Will, An interview/narrative of Major-General Pat Mitchell's experiences during the Korean War and whilst serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. Interview took place on November 20, 2006., ABSTRACT: Major-General Pat Mitchell Biographical Sketch Born in Montreal 23 January 1931. Awarded B.A. in Philosophy by University of Montreal 1952. Joined Canadian Officers Training Corps in 1949, Regular Army in 1951, and served 35 years in the Armoured Corps. Has filled command and staff appointments at every level from Lieutenant to Major-General. Has served in Korea, Australia, Cyprus, the U.K., Belgium, Germany and coast to coast in Canada. Command appointments of importance are CO Canadian Reconnaissance Squadron Cyprus 1968, CO 8th Canadian Hussars 1969-71 and Commander 1 Canadian Brigade Group 1977-80. Key staff appointments were brigade Major 2 Canadian Brigade Group 1968-69, COS Militia Area Atlantic 1973-76, Chief Land Doctrine and Operations NDHQ 1980-83 and Chairman Military Agency for Standardization at NATO HQ 1983-84. Attended Australian Army Staff College 1963-64, taught at Canadian Army Staff College 1971-72 and was exchange instructor at British Army Staff College 1972-73. Attended National Defence College of Canada 1976-77, Class XXX. Retired to Calgary 1985, opened Hussar Consulting Ltd. and represented the Province of Alberta and private industry in Western Canada as a defence marketing consultant for five years. Appointed Honourary Colonel of the Regiment of the 89th Canadian Hussars in 1990 and served in that capacity for four years. Has lived in Victoria since 1992. Interview Notes This interview focuses on Mitchell's 1953 Korean posting as armoured troop commander in the Lord Strathcona's Horse 'A' Squadron, and his command in Cyprus in 1968 of the Fort Gary Horse 'B' Squadron. :30 Training at the COTC, 2:40 One month's warning for 1953 Korea posting, 12:00 N. Korean tunnels, 23:20 shifted from Recce to Tank Troop, 25:40 Standardization, Relations with US, 36:00 Leave in Japan, 47:00 Centurion Tanks, 53:00 Teaching in Meaford 1958, 58:00 Posted to FGH 'B' sqdn, 59:00 Training with Ferret Scout Car in Rocky Mountain House, 1:09:00 Diplomacy with Turk Cypriot leader, 1:14:00 Convoy Incident, 1:19:00 Greek Cypriot National Guard, 1:22:00 Good Relations With Fins, 1:51:00 Reserve Force, Recoilless Rifles, 2:08:30 Commentary on Peacekeeping, 2:13:00 Train for War, Rank: Major-General. , and Interviewee: Mitchell, Pat J.
- Subject:
- Korean War (1950-1953), Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), Tanks (Military science), United Nations. Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus, and Military history
- Contributor:
- Pratt, Will and Mitchell, Pat J.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-20
- 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:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Québec--Montréal, British Columbia--Victoria, and Germany
- Coordinates:
- 51.5, 10.5, 45.50884, -73.58781, and 48.4359, -123.35155
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original recording (WAV) on compact disc (CD) 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, reminiscences, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- MPJ_502
- 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:
- 2006-11-20
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 4 bits and 8 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 44 kHz. Digitized by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2006. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
399. Peacock, Robert S.: my Army recollections (November 20, 2006)
- Title:
- Peacock, Robert S.: my Army recollections (November 20, 2006)
- Description:
- ABSTRACT: Colonel Robert Peacock Starts with background information on Col. Peacock. Born in Hamilton, Ont. Attended Canadian Services College, Royal Roads, 1948. Graduated from Royal Military College in 1952 and commissioned as a Lieutenant in 3`a Battalion PPCLI Had been a teenager in WWII, too young to enlist but wanted to, had been a part of army and air cadets Most soldiers enlisted to get away from home, have an adventure Col. Peacock understood Korean War as part of the Cold War because of how he had been educated at military college but the public barely knew where Korea was, let alone what the war was about Trained in WWII tactics - relied on many WWI tactics in Korea (trench warfare, etc.) - training for Canadian troops was inadequate Weather conditions in Korea made things difficult - very sudden changes. Monsoon season hot, humid and rainy, winters were the coldest Col. Peacock had ever experienced Always enough food for his unit, unlike some others at times - one hot meal per day carried up to the line by Korean porters Morale was high most of the time, soldiers "remarkably happy" Casualties in his unit were almost all wounds, few fatalities - soldiers joked about buddies being wounded and getting to recover in Japan or back home Very fast evacuation system for badly wounded or dead - little opportunity for fellow soldiers to get caught up with casualties rather than getting on with their jobs No Korean civilians within 10 miles of the line, those he met in rear areas were women, children and elderly as fighting age men in the army Canadians respected their Chinese opponents, those who underestimated them at first smartened up quickly Ratings of UN allies - varied from unit to unit depending on leadership and training Officer-enlisted ranks relationship, importance of good leadership on the part of officers and NCOs Canadian Army Special Force was better led than Regular Army because officers were handpicked, not shuffled up through the ranks - "mythology" of the Regular Army in Korea (hardly was such a thing, broken up and many sent to Europe) Return to Canada after Korean War was a non-event - soldiers went home expecting some recognition and got little, if any at all either officially or from society in general Korea was a "forgotten war" because Canada's military and political focus was on NATO and Europe and the Soviet threat there Korean War veterans hardly recognized until very recently, Interviewee: Peacock, Robert S., Interviewer: Murseli, Kenan, Rank: Colonel. , and An interview/narrative of Colonel Robert Peacock's experiences during the Korean War. Interview took place on November 20, 2006.
- Subject:
- Cold War (1945-1989), Military cadets, Korean War (1950-1953), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Peacock, Robert S. and Murseli, Kenan
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-20
- 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:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Japan
- Coordinates:
- 35.68536, 139.75309
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original recording (DVF) on compact disc (CD) 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, oral histories (literary genre), reminiscences, and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- PRS_496
- 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:
- 2013-01-23
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
400. Maze, Randall A.: my naval experiences (November 22, 2006)
- Title:
- Maze, Randall A.: my naval experiences (November 22, 2006)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Perry, Marie, Interviewee: Maze, Randall A., Rank: Commander. , ABSTRACT: Commander Randall Maze Commander Maze Interview.mp3 (0:00) Received university education through Regular Training Program, UVIC. His father was in the navy. Trained during summers through Venture, learning to become an officer of the watch. (1:36) Talents navy brings to warfare is that it is self-contained and moves quickly. Describes exercises and routine duties. (6:13) Left for East Timor with 10 days notice, he had only been in command for 2 weeks. Original mission was to play the role of HQ for Canadian Joint Forces, but swell came in and Protecteur ended up being the replenishment ship for all the ships in the area. (8:12) East Timor on fire when CJF arrived. Goes into history of East Timor. Describes chaotic environment in East Timor, including gutted buildings. (14:24) Duty was to replenish ships within the INTERFET operation, including supplying American, New Zealand, and Australian ships. (19:41) Training prepared him to be flexible. Describes refueling. (23:03) Describes ships shortcomings including old equipment that was sensitive to heat. Also describes medical unit. (27:57) Claims there was no aggressive danger, except for poor charting in the waters. They had to make their own charts. (30:05) carried appx 304 men of mixed gender crew. The crew had excellent morale. The crew played role of cooks, ran fuel operations, etc. Helped with reconstruction efforts. RCMP training police, put together packaged of necessities for people of East Timor. Held Christmas Eve mass. Also roofed a school. (40:25) Communication with Canada through HQ. Ability to communicate with anybody. Could communicate with home using the internet and even cell phones. (49:06) Claims it was a big thing for the Canadian public. Forces went prepared for combat because a military goes in harms way. Thoughts on Afghanistan. Comparisons with Somalia. (54:53) Internationally Canada stayed in East Timor longer than any other vessel by a month. Gained respect for that. Lots of local and Australian press, but not as much Canadian national press as he expected. Received the INTERFET medal. (58:20) Saw operation in East Timor as a rewarding experience. What they did made a difference. There were roofs on houses when they left. Still talks about it when he meets people in Costco. (1:01:52), and An interview/narrative of Commander Randall Maze's experiences whilst serving with the International Force for East Timor. Interview took place on November 22, 2006.
- Subject:
- Personal narratives--Canadian, Afghan Wars, and Military history
- Contributor:
- Perry, Marie and Maze, Randall A.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2006-11-22
- 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:
- Afghanistan and Somalia--Mogadishu
- Coordinates:
- 2.03711, 45.34375 and 33, 66
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original recording (MP3) on compact disc (CD) 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, oral histories (literary genre), reminiscences, and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- MRA_499
- 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:
- 2006-11-22
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 112 kbps and 44 kHz. Digitized by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2006. Migration metadata by KD and MT.