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)
461. Huber, David H.: my armed forces recollections (October 18, 2008)
- Title:
- Huber, David H.: my armed forces recollections (October 18, 2008)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Huber, David H., b. 1964, ABSTRACT: Dave Huber Huber_D_0575_01.mp3 - Family Tradition in the army, specific to fathers involvement - First tour in Iran, 1988 - Why Huber joined the military? (Medical reasons) - Training received as a medic and solider - Tent fire experience - Green Beret comparison - 1980's - crumble in Canadian Military (Specific to budget) (10-minute mark) - - Canadian listening devices since the 1970's involved Northern Canada - Weather conditions in the north - Receiving and using locals for assistance - Transition to Iraq - Story of a soldier refusing to jump - 1988 - Lost five fellow soldiers in car accident and lose of Hercules plane - Keeping the peace in Iraq and Iran (450 mile patrol line) - Conditions of lifestyle of soldiers in Iraq - Story of children being used as tools to remove mine fields - Lack of United Nations support - Attempt to help injured local children (30-minute mark) - Experience of other nation's military forces - Discussion of Kyle Brown, and Huber's relationship with the men who served in Somalia - Scapegoat (novel) - Huber's thoughts on Brown's situation and how he was unfairly blamed for situation - Inexperience of soldiers and Commanding Officer in Somalia - Matchee discussed and charges pressed on Brown - What was positively done in Somalia and how Canadians never knew about it - Leadership issues surrounding Somalia - (40-minute mark) - Zulu Warrior hazing tradition - Feelings surrounding disbandment - Huber's military tattoos - Training techniques in regards to Officer Kenward - Discussion of books about Somalia (50-minute mark) - Trophy photos taken by soldiers - Current soldiers being in Afghanistan and Iraq - End of Interview 0:55:21, An interview/narrative of David Huber's experiences during the Canadian Airborne Regiment's deployment to Somalia. Interview took place on October 18, 2008., and Interviewer: Gillam, Nicola
- Keyword:
- Tattooing, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Airborne Regiment, Parachuting, Hazing, Peacekeeping forces, Canadian, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness, Border patrols--Iraq, Matchee, Clayton, Multinational armed forces, Somalis, Soldiers--Conduct of life, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Somalia, Border patrols--Iran, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Military life, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Parachute troops, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Iran, United Nations--Peacekeeping forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Finance, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Iraq, United States--Army--Special Forces, Somalia Affair, 1992-1997, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Land mines, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Officers, Brown, Kyle, 1969-, Somalia--History--1991-, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Airborne Regiment Battle Group, United Nations--Armed Forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Yukon, and Huber, David--Interviews
- Subject:
- Soldiers, Afghan Wars, Somalia Affair (1992-1997), Military history, and Canada. Canadian Armed Forces
- Contributor:
- Gillam, Nicola and Huber, David H., b. 1964
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-18
- 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:
- Canada and United States
- Coordinates:
- 39.76, -98.5 and 60.10867, -113.64258
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording (MP3) 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), reminiscences, interviews, and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- HD_575
- 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:
- 2009-10-01
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
462. Kempling, Jim: my armed forces recollections (October 18, 2008)
- Title:
- Kempling, Jim: my armed forces recollections (October 18, 2008)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Kempling, Jim, Interviewer: Gillam, Nicola, Rank: Colonel. , An interview/narrative of Colonel Jim Kempling's experiences during the Canadian Airborne Regiment's deployment to Cyprus and Somalia. Interview took place on October 18, 2008., and ABSTRACT: Jim Kempling Kempling_J_0576_01.mp3 - Motivation for joining the army - Reputation of the airborne - Training techniques - Service in Edmonton and Petawawa - Specific tasks in Petawawa - Harper government and current situation in Afghanistan - Geographic support of troops - (10-minute mark) - First overseas experiences - Turks invasion of Cyprus - United Nations involvement - Comparison to other troops in Cyprus - Administrative work - Senior Staff of Operations - (20-minute mark) - Canada's tendency to over promise and under deliver - Political issues of Canada with the military - NATO's and Canada's involvement in Afghanistan - Training in Cyprus - Bond and relationships with soldiers - Current family members involved in the army - Why soldiers were commonly sent to military jail cell (30-minute mark) - Discussion of Officer Tony Seaward - Orders given in Somalia, - Discussion of rules of engagement enforced in Somalia - Prisoner of War Cage training technique - Reaction to Somalia (40-minute mark) - Personal experiences with Tony Seaward - Video footage of Somalia - Thoughts on disbandment - Recreation of regiment with Special Operations Regiment - Canada exercising sovereignty Experiences jumping out of planes - Reputation of Canadian Airborne Regiment - Culprits and those guilty of charges in Somalia - Investigation and the way Brown was sentenced - Lousy rules of engagement as the main issue of Somalia (50-minute mark) - History of Canadian Military and the Canadian Airborne Regiment - Reputation of Commanding Officers in Canadian history - Discussion when looking over Kempling's personal airplane jumping logs - Types and techniques of jumps - Injuries witnessed during his time - Fatality of Corporal from parachuting accident - Restoring confidence of soldiers after fatality or Corporal - Military judges and young boy in Guantanamo, how he knew a judge involved - End of interview 1:07:29
- Keyword:
- Kempling, James S. (Jim)--Interviews, Command of troops, Somalia--Politics and government--1991-, Cyprus--Politics and government--1960-2004, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Airborne Regiment Battle Group, Matchee, Clayton, Cyprus--History--Turkish Invasion, 1974, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Officers, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Airborne Regiment, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry--Commando, 2, Seaward, Anthony, Leadership, Brown, Kyle, 1969-, Parachuting, Harper, Stephen, 1959-, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--History, Civil defense, Cyprus--History--Cyprus Crisis, 1963, Civil-military relations, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Afghanistan, Canada--Politics and government--21st century, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Edmonton, Alta.), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Drill and tactics, United Nations Operation in Somalia, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Regulations, United Nations--Peacekeeping forces, Geneva Conventions (1949), Somalia--History--1991-, Afghan War, 2001-, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Non-commissioned officers, Rules of engagement, Humanitarian law, Somalia Affair, 1992-1997, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Peacekeeping forces, Canadian, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Petawawa, Ont.), Canada--Military policy, United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), and Military discipline
- Subject:
- Somalia Affair (1992-1997), Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Turkish Invasion of Cyprus (Cyprus : 1974), Afghan War (2001-2021), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Gillam, Nicola and Kempling, Jim
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-18
- 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:
- Cyprus and Canada
- Coordinates:
- 60.10867, -113.64258 and 35, 33
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
- 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:
- KJ_576
- 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:
- 2009-10-01
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
463. Hryhoryshen, Gord: my armed forces recollections (October 22, 2008)
- Title:
- Hryhoryshen, Gord: my armed forces recollections (October 22, 2008)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Reumkens, Brock, An interview/narrative of Gord Hryhoryshen's experiences during the Korean War. Interview took place on October 22, 2008., Rank: Sergeant. , Interviewee: Hryhoryshen, Gord, and ABSTRACT: Sergeant Gord Hryhoryshen Hryhoryshen_G_0586_01.mp3 - Platoon Sergeant Gord Hryhoryshen. Born 1931. Arran, Saskatchewan. 2nd Battalion, Queen's Own Rifles of Canada - (1:20) Felt Canadian Army was trimmed too thin prior to the Korean War - (2:45) Had training as part of 27th Brigade in Germany prior to being sent to Korea. - (4:40) Did some of his training at Valcartier before being sent to Germany. - (7:45) Colonel Bill Matthews. Had prior experience in Second World War. Possibly with Canadian Scottish Regiment. - (8:20) Trained with Lee-Enfield and Sten guns. Found it an easy weapon. No jamming like the semi-automatic Garand rifle. Easy to clean. Did not have access to American weapons. - (13:25) Was happy with the training he had received. - (14:15) Sent to Korea in October 1954. - (15:40) Stationed North of the Imjin River. Across the Teal Bridge. Manned the OPs. - (18:40) Located in a place called Maple Leaf Park. Only one small town nearby. Mentions acts of robbery against the soldiers while they slept. - (21:20) The area around the Imjin River was not untouched by the war. - (22:20) 2nd Battalion was stationed at Maple Leaf Park. Could watch movies or entertainment shows there. Quarters big enough to hold platoon of thirty people. Comfortable living in huts. - (25:00) Get up at six or seven in the morning. Had breakfast. Eight o'clock had inspections. Training happened many times during the day. One of his jobs was looking after fire equipment. Mentions that one of the huts burned down and an officer died. - (26:40) Saw some Australian shows at Maple Leaf Park. Had shows every ten days or once every month. Watched old movies. Never had to battle boredom. - (29:10) Was happy with the cooking. Meat, potatoes, chicken etc. - (30:40) Wore the combat cap more than the Mark II helmet. Did not encounter any problems with the wool battle dress. Kept heat very well. - (32:15) 14 months spent in Korea. 1954-1955. Landed in Seattle on his way back. Was on an American troopship. Encountered many Americans returning home with wives they met in Asia. Journey took ten days. - (34:55) Went on holidays back to Saskatchewan to visit his family after returning from Korea. - (45:20) Talked about some of the training activities at Maple Leaf Park. Road runs, working in the gym, playing sports.
- Keyword:
- Canada--Canadian Army--Recreation, Lee-Enfield rifle, Canada--Canadian Army--Leaves and furloughs, Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Infantry Brigade, 27th, Korean Demilitarized Zone (Korea), Canada--Canadian Army--Equipment, Garand rifle, Imjin River (Korea), Canada--Canadian Army--Uniforms, Canada--Canadian Army--History, Basic training (Military education), Military supplies, Sten machine carbine, Hryhoryshen, Gordon (Gord), 1931- --Interviews, Canada--Canadian Army--Queen's Own Rifles of Canada--Battalion, 2nd, Artillery, Armistices, Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, Canadian, Canada--Canadian Army--Military life, Military education, Bridges--Korea (South)--Imjin River, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Valcartier, Que?bec), and Maple Leaf Park (Military Camp : Korea (South))
- Subject:
- Korean War (1950-1953), Military history, and Canada. Canadian Army
- Contributor:
- Hryhoryshen, Gord and Reumkens, Brock
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-22
- 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:
- Korea (North), Canada, and Korea (South)
- Coordinates:
- 60.10867, -113.64258, 40, 127, and 36.5, 127.75
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording (MP3) 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, oral histories (literary genre), and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- HG_586
- 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:
- 2009-09-28
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
464. Walton, Thomas: my armed forces recollections (October 22, 2008)
- Title:
- Walton, Thomas: my armed forces recollections (October 22, 2008)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Walton, Thomas, ABSTRACT: Tom Walton Walton_T_0562_01.mp3 Born in Winnipeg, raised in Vancouver. Joined reserves in 1959. Transferred to regular forces in 1960. Joined Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Transferred to Royal Canadian Engineers in 1963. Retired in September 1994. Acting Troop commander of heavy equipment troop in Chilliwack during 7 months of training. Became Regimental Sergeant Major of Engineer Regiment. A combat engineer, did demolitions, road and bridge building, water purification, they no longer do minefields. Came back from Kuwait 11 months before leaving for Croatia. [2:45] Before they left not very much preparation. [2:55] Went over to Croatia on reconnaissance first. There for a week and a half. Then in September went over with 175-200 officers and men. Did not pick up mines. Built foundations for accommodations of various national contingents. [4:30] Women: No separate accommodations. In bunk beds and would hang blankets down the side for privacy. For showers, women given specific of their own. Mess: big tent. [5:25] Get up at 530-600 in morning. Eat breakfast. Do PT. Then out to field to visit different units. They were spread out from sector East to Sector South (a distance of 800-900km) [6:00] Contact with the locals: 42 civilians worked for them. Stayed in Daruvar 1 hr 45 min east of Zagreb. Staying in Croatian village. [6:25] Serb houses had been blown up in this village. [7:00] Locals, mainly Croatians working for them. [7:16] Had a civilian appreciation night [8:15] Still gets Christmas cards from Vitica and her [12:40] Canadians superior to other contingents. African countries showed up unprepared. Often unprepared to deal with cold. Ineffective. [14:30] Rules of engagement were different at different times, always went out with their weapons loaded even if they weren't supposed to. Never knew what would happen. [15:10] Glad to leave, felt like both sides didn't want them unless it was convenient for their position [15:37] When asked if ROE were stretched, denies, but finishes with "They looked after themselves." [17:45] "UNPROFOR did not work" Hostility shown to them when they tried to do their Job. [1848] Response was inadequate, especially to situation in Sarajevo [19:40] If he was in charge "I would have put in a lot more forces, maybe a lot sooner" [21:10] Diplomats don't understand the situation. "It's like they've never been there" [21:05] Had satellite phones to phone home, "like phoning your next-door neighbour" Wouldn't tell people at home about dangerous stuff, didn't want them to worry [22:20] Got the newspapers, thought they reported well on what was happening [22:45] 7 or 8 reporters came to stay with them, went out with them. [23:15] Not a big fan of media, they assassinated airborne regiment, regiment cleaned up by time it was disbanded. [24:45] Gave stuff to locals unofficially when they left. Cheaper to leave it there. [2545] Mike Ralph was killed shortly before he got there. Remote IED? [27:00] Young boy stepped on mine came to thank Canadians for taking him to the hospital [27:25] Farmer was shot close to ceasefire line. Lot of alcohol involved. [27:55] Town called Knin, in sector south. Occupied by Croatians. Two Serbian soldiers tried to visit Croatian friends there and were shot on sight. Hauled to main square. [29:30] Deserted, burnt villages. Blew up tourist hotels. Blow up church or mosque first. [30:50] Soldiers were allowed to go into town, there for 3-4 week. His driver was run over by a drunken police officer in uniform. [33:35] In Daruvar, guy threw a grenade into pub. Ex-girlfriend in pub with new boyfriend. [34:00] Had to put town out of bounds because of this. Instead on Saturday nights, had to come up with entertainment, invited locals too. [34:45] 48 Mounties belonged to mess, many on Serb side of line. Would watch hockey game on Mondays, place would be packed [35:00] [35:30] Jim Gilderstone and another helped out two sisters at a school in Packrac; they wanted to see what was left of their home. Provided an escort for Mounties and girls. Everyone came out, hugging and kissing. Parents had been killed for speaking to a Serb, bomb thrown through window and killed all three. [37:00] Youngest girl was bitter, pointed at man down street who had done it. Had snuck out into Croatia earlier. [37:25] Not supposed to do stuff like that, but felt good about it [39:00] Medications left when shutting camp down. Delivered to women [39:50] Before he went over Kiwanis club gave him $2000 dollars to distribute. Two Serb widows and two Croatians widows were given $500 dollars each. [41:55] Morale: Had a rink there. Gym in town, played basketball. Tried to do PT every day. [47:50] Came back to Canada in February. After that he had 14 months leave. Retired after this. Served for 34 years. Didn't want to be posted to Cold Lake. [49:00] Army was best thing that ever happened to him. [50:40] Then he started driving a school bus [50:50] Had to stop driving school bus because he was diagnosed with PTSD. He noticed he was losing his concentration. Lot of anxiety. Doctor had been at Medak Pocket. Doctor asked him if he was having problems. Yes, I pulled a guys leg off in Cyprus, thought it was broken, put traction on it, came off in his hands. Dreaming about it, covered in sweat, then cried. [52:00] Was missing kids at their stop and forgetting to let them off. "My mind wasn't there" Civilians didn't think they should be allowed to work because they were getting a pension. [53:00] "My wife has a hard time understanding" Built up "big macho thing" [56:35] In Cyprus, you would see babies that were killed. Some unofficial shooting going on when you saw stuff like that. In Yugoslavia, they would kill women and the kids first, when they saw real soldiers they wouldn't stick around [57:15] The ROE wouldn't let them help people "We could have saved all kinds of people" [58:00] When they came back from Kuwait they had an evaluation, he lied. [59:50] No evaluation until Gulf War, none after Cyprus Wasn't affected by it until 10 year ago. [1:00:00] Only sleeps 3-4 hours a night. Has trouble sleeping. Doctor gives him sleep pills., An interview/narrative of Thomas Walton's experiences in Bosnia and Croatia. Interview took place on October 22, 2008., and Interviewer: Anderson, Dana
- Subject:
- United Nations Protection Force, Military history, Canada. Canadian Army. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and Persian Gulf War (1991)
- Contributor:
- Anderson, Dana and Walton, Thomas
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-22
- 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:
- Yugoslavia and Bosnia and Herzegovina--Sarajevo
- Coordinates:
- 44, 19.75 and 43.84864, 18.35644
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- sound recordings, interviews, reminiscences, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- WT_562
- 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:
- 2009-11-24
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
465. Lund, Wilfred G. D.: my Navy recollections (October 24, 2008)
- Title:
- Lund, Wilfred G. D.: my Navy recollections (October 24, 2008)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Wilfred G .D. Lund's experiences during the Cold War. Captain Lund served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on October 24, 2008., Interviewer: Leitch, Quinn, ABSTRACT: Captain Wilfred G.D Lund Royal Canadian Navy Lund_W_0581_01.mp3 SUMMARY (02:28:30) (00:01:03) - Narrator discusses where/when/ why he joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He also discusses his training prior to becoming a submariner. (00:07:15) - Narrator discusses how he became a submariner. (00:09:10) - Narrator discusses how the Royal Canadian Navy acquired 3 Oberon Class Submarines from the British Royal Navy. (00:10:30) - Narrator discusses how to become a submariner further. He also talks about submarine training. (00:18:00) - Narrator discusses how to become a submarine commander with both the USN and RN streams and discusses their pros and cons. (00:21:20) - Narrator discusses what it's like to serve aboard a submarine. (00:26:50) - Narrator discusses what his family thought of him serving in submarines. (00:31:49) - Narrator discusses his experiences at the submarine commanding officer's course (Perisher). He also explains the course in detail. (01:12:30) - Narrator discusses the structure of the submarine force. (01:19:50) - Narrator discusses how submarines were refitted on the east and west coast of Canada (submarine support system). (01:22:17) - Narrator discusses the Oberon Class Submarine. (01:32:35) - Narrator discusses the submarines he served in. (01:35:00) - Narrator discusses Canadian submarine refits and work-ups with the Royal Navy. He also discusses the refit exercises. (01:39:10) - Narrator discusses how to insert and recover marine commandos at sea. (01:45:50) - Narrator discusses submarine operations while he was on exchange with the British Royal Navy. (01:58:00) - Narrator discusses what could be told to family and friends regarding submarine operations. (01:59:35) - Narrator discusses his experiences with training exercises with the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy. (02:11:35) - Narrator discusses media attention regarding Canadian submarines. (02:15:20) - Narrator discusses a situation where HMCS Okanagan had a collision with a surface ship (02:28:30) - END OF TAPE, Interviewee: Lund, Wilfred G. D., and Rank: Captain.
- Keyword:
- Grilse (Submarine : SS-71), Canada--Dept. of National Defence--Headquarters, United States--Navy, Official secrets--Canada, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Undercover operations, Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--H.M.C.S. Venture , Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Sea life, Electronic countermeasures, Submarines (Ships)--Equipment, Electronic counter-countermeasures, Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--Submarine Service, Victoria Class (Submarines), Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--Sea life, Submarine combat, Submarine warfare, Submarine captains, Submarines (Ships)--Safety, NATO Headquarters--Naval Forces Baltic Approaches, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Drill and tactics, Hardhead (Submarine : SS-365), Nuclear submarines, Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--Personal narratives, Cold War, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Submarine Service, Assiniboine II (Destroyer), Anti-submarine warfare, Submariners--Training of, Defense information, Classified, Naval art and science, Anti-submarine warfare--Equipment and supplies, Submarines (Ships)--Soviet Union, Onodaga (Submarine : SS-73), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Naval tactics, Commando troops, Commando operations, Stettler (Frigate), Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--Officers, Submarines (Ships)--Canada, Nipigon II (Destroyer), Oberon Class (Submarines), Submarines (Ships)--Electronic equipment, Lund, Wilfred Gourlay Dolphin, 1941- --Interviews, Venture (Training Schooner), Canada--Royal Canadian Navy--H.M.C.S. Stadacona., Nautical training schools, Amphibious warfare, War games, Naval, Naval maneuvers, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Officers, Great Britain--Royal Navy--Submarine Service, Okanagan (Submarine : SS-74), and National Defence College (Canada)
- Subject:
- Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Cold War (1945-1989), Military history, and Canada. Royal Canadian Navy
- Contributor:
- Leitch, Quinn and Lund, Wilfred G. D.
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-24
- 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:
- United States, Canada, and Great Britain
- Coordinates:
- 54.75844, -2.69531, 60.10867, -113.64258, and 39.76, -98.5
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording (MP3) 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, sound recordings, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- LWGD_581
- 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:
- 2009-10-01
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
466. Hassett, Tom: my armed forces recollections (October 25, 2008)
- Title:
- Hassett, Tom: my armed forces recollections (October 25, 2008)
- Description:
- Rank: Captain. , Interviewer: Gillam, Nicola, ABSTRACT: Tom Hasset Hasset_T_0574_01.mp3 - Details of first joining the airborne - Family involvement in the military - Army as tool for travel - Training techniques - Stressing of maximum flexibility within airborne - Use of weapons in training activities - (Conversation with exchange student - unrelated to interview) - First travel experiences with army (10-minute mark) - Experience in Yukon for training - Geography of Yukon - Experience in Jamaica for training - Commanding Officer experiences in Jamaica - Isolation in Jamaica - Encounters with Jamaican civilians - Travels to Cyprus - Encounters with Inuit and other northern locals - Reaction to Inuit lifestyle (20-minute mark) - Armed combat 'play' for Inuit's set up by soldiers - Discussions of plane jumping experiences - Important of journal articles he wrote - Common practice of writing journal articles while on leave - Hardest aspect of travel - Adapting to other communities and forming relationships with them (30-minute mark) - Possible sense of abandonment by locals - Lack of choices for northern community - Reputation of Canadian Airborne Regiment - Combination of variety of regiments all put in one - Rugged and tough training techniques - Relations with other soldiers in different regiments - Family relationship among troops - Punishment for rude behavior towards Officers (40-minute mark) - Why only in airborne for 2 years - Movement of Chaplains within army - Chaplains controlled by French Canadian military beliefs - Disagreements over Chaplains position among bases - Chaplain in Cyprus with army 45 minute mark - personal phone call 47 minute mark - end of part 1 0:47:27 Hasset_T_0574_02.mp3 - Beginning of part 2 - personal phone call continued until 2 minute mark - Airborne continued… - Years in airborne - Discussion about Somalia incident 7 minute mark - personal phone call until 8 minute mark - Personal opinions on Somalia incident - Discussion of Francophone and Anglophone issues among Canadian military (10-minute mark) - Statistics of Francophone's and Anglophones in Canadian military - Opinions surrounding leading Officers in Somalia - How regiment cannot be judged by what two men did - Family member involvement once Hasset was out of uniform - Airborne reunions - Death of son during a routine swimming exercise in Trenton, Ontario (20 minute mark) - End of interview part 2 0:27:00 minute mark., An interview/narrative of Captain Tom Hassett's experiences during the Canadian Airborne Regiment's deployment to Cyprus and Somalia. Interview took place on October 25, 2008., and Interviewee: Hassett, Tom
- Keyword:
- Civil-military relations, Military chaplains--Canada, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Airborne Regiment Battle Group, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Jamaica, Somalia--History--1991-, United Nations--Peacekeeping forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Chaplains, Somalis, Hassett, Tom--Interviews, Soldiers--Conduct of life, Military training camps--Jamaica, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Cyprus, Somalia Affair, 1992-1997, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Organization, Cypriots, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Officers, Armed Forces--Conduct of life, Parachuting, Cyprus--Politics and government--1960-2004, United Nations--Armed Forces, Peacekeeping forces, Canadian, Families of military personnel, Cyprus--History--Cyprus Crisis, 1974-, Military training camps--Yukon, Inuit--Canada, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Parachute troops, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Airborne Regiment, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Yukon, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Military life, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Chaplaincy Service, Cyprus--History--Turkish Invasion, 1974, and Conduct of life
- Subject:
- Turkish Invasion of Cyprus (Cyprus : 1974), Soldiers, Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Military history, and Somalia Affair (1992-1997)
- Contributor:
- Hassett, Tom and Gillam, Nicola
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-25
- 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:
- Cyprus and Canada
- Coordinates:
- 60.10867, -113.64258 and 35, 33
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recordings (MP3) 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), reminiscences, sound recordings, and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- HT_574
- 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:
- 2009-10-01
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
467. Sherritt, J. K. H.: my armed forces recollections (October 26, 2008)
- Title:
- Sherritt, J. K. H.: my armed forces recollections (October 26, 2008)
- Description:
- Rank: Gunner. , Interviewee: Sherritt, J. K. H., ABSTRACT: Gunner John Keith Harvey Sherritt Sherritt_J_0587_01.mp3, Sherritt_J_0587_02.mp3 PART ONE - Gunner John Keith Harvey Sherritt. "A" Battery, 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. Born in London, Ontario. 5 July 1929. - Enlisted in RCHA in 1951. - (1:00) Wanted to join infantry and instead got recruited into artillery - Was in the regular force and not the Special Force. - (2:00) Did jump training in Manitoba - (3:00) Boarded USS Black and sailed to Yokohama, Japan - Talks about his arrival in Korea - (5:00) Talks about his switching of uniform with soldiers coming off the line - (6:00) Talks about being sent to Hill 355 and his role as artillery relayer. - (8:20) Discusses the Battle of Hill 355. - Says the Chinese attacked 1100 at a time and the Bren gun barrels melted because they were fired so much. - (11:00) Discusses how he was better off in the army. Discipline, fighting for the guy next to him. PART TWO - Parachute training in Manitoba discussed. Did not jump anymore after training. - (1:20) Discusses the government of St.-Laurent and lack of respect for Canadian soldiers who fought and died in the Korean War - (2:45) Felt training was sufficient and made him a better person and helped him to join the Air Force after the war. - (3:50) Talk about training in Shilo - (4:20) Talk about his training in the Air Force after the Korean War and how he skipped rifle training - (6:15) Mentions a situation where he detained his Commanding Officer to halt during a training exercise while in the Air Force - (7:30) His artillery training took two-three months. Trained separately. - (8:15) Talks about training to repair broken communication wire. - (9:32) Talks a bit about using the wireless sets (Radio 19). - (10:00) Discuss training practices at Shilo, Manitoba such as laying wire and digging the guns in. Was very satisfied with training. - (11:30) Discusses relations with his fellow artillerymen and the rations he had to eat. - (13:30) Tells story about how he and his friends stole items from an American unit including a jeep. - (15:50) His commanding officer was McNaughton. Captain was McDonnel. - (16:50) Talk about the 25 pounder gun. Rate of fire, accuracy etc. Duke was happy with the weapon. Discusses the process of loading and firing the gun. - (20:20) Talks about the accuracy of the Chinese and North Korean mortars and captured artillery pieces. - (22:15) Discusses training with A Battery and how he chose to do radio training. No regrets with choosing the radio. - (23:00) Trained with small arms. Enjoyed that part of training. Did not feel weapons were obsolete. Did not have to use his weapon during time on the front line. - (25:00) Discusses where got the nickname "Duke" after a patrol. - (26:30) Lists some of the different equipment he used during his training as a relayer. - (27:00) Talks about his remote control he used while away from the radio. - (29:00) Does not recall difficult times during training. - (29:50) Deployed to Korea in December 1951. - (30:30) Discusses arriving in Korea just behind Hill 355. - (31:45) Talks about his assistance of a wounded man just as he arrived on the front and its impact on him. - (35:30) Mentions some of his chores such as the charging of batteries. - (36:55) Got letters from home and surrounded himself with candles in order to read them. - (37:30) His mother had a stroke and when Duke was interviewed for CBC TV she got out of bed to see him. - (39:00) Not happy with the food like powdered milk and potatoes, but came home weighing more than before he went to war. Always got ham chunks and lima beans for rations. - (40:45) Waiting in line for his rations, he forgot his mess tin, but a mortar landed in the line he had been standing in. - (42:00) Talks about the process of R&R. In Inchon, got to sleep in bed with sheets. There were huge tents with warm showers. Clothes got put in barrels for washing and given soap. Tokyo R&R also discussed. - (47:30) Uniforms were bad early on in the war. Got proper equipment in winter. Winter mittens were better than gloves and had an open finger so a rifle could be fired. - (49:00) Talks about his encounter with a mole while in the latrine. - (50:15) Mentions American supply problems. Mosquito nets in winter time. - (50:30) Built bunkers out of ammunition tins filled with dirt. Topped off with sandbags and mortar tins. Turned mortar tin into a chimney. - (52:20) Saw an old lady get caught with a cart full of ammunition in Seoul. - (52:30) Had to switch helmets with Americans on Hill 355 in order to fool Chinese. Did not wear helmets that much. Was not confident with helmet. - (54:30) RCHA put on Hill 355 to replace previous units. Brings out book on RCHA and reads. Called Little Gibraltar because it was a key point. - (56:50) Was buried after a mortar hit near the trench he was running through and the trench wall fell on top of him. - (58:20) A Battery did not suffer many casualties. - (59:00) Had to go through medical checks and shots in Japan before going home. - (1:00:10) Went on a patrol. Never ran into any enemies. Fifteen men on patrol. Had to see if the Chinese had moved in new troops. Didn't hear anything on patrol. - (1:01:00) Left Korea in 1952. - (1:01:30) Felt Canada was needed in Korea. Their presence prevented the spread of communism. - (1:04:00) Talks about his recent visit to Korea and the appreciation of the Canadians. - (1:06:10) Does not feel the Korean War should be forgotten. Mentions the Special Force and how they were forgotten. The war was not forgotten for him. - (1:08:20) Disagrees with the title of "police action" or "conflict" being given to the Korean War., Interviewer: Reumkens, Brock, and An interview/narrative of J. K. H. Sherritt's experiences during the Korean War. Interview took place on October 26, 2008.
- Keyword:
- Artillery drill and tactics, Artillery, Field and mountain, Artillery, Self-propelled, Bren machine gun, Canada--Canadian Army--Ordnance and ordnance stores, Black (Destroyer), Korean War, 1950-1953--Personal narratives, Canadian, Canada--Canadian Army--Equipment, United Nations Command, Korean War, 1950-1953--Artillery operations, Canadian, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force, United States--Army--Supplies and stores, Canada--Politics and government--1945-1980, United Nations Command--Commonwealth Division, 1st, St. Laurent, Louis S. (Louis Stephen), 1882-1973, Hill 355, Battle of, Korea (South), 1951, Communications, Military, Canada--Canadian Army--Parachute troops, Tokyo (Japan), Radio operators, Canada--Canadian Army--Recreation, Canada--Canadian Army--Uniforms, Canada--Canadian Army--Commissariat, Sherritt, John Keith Harvey (Duke), 1929- --Interviews, Combat patrols, Inch'o?n (Korea), Canada--Canadian Army--Military life, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Shilo, Man.), Parachute jumping, Radio, Military, Hill 355, Battle of, Korea (South), 1952, Fletcher Class (Destroyers), Canada--Canadian Army--Supplies and stores, Canada--Canadian Army--Royal Canadian Horse Artillery--Regiment, 1st, Operational rations (Military supplies), Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Infantry Brigade, 25th, Canada--Canadian Army--Leaves and furloughs, and Korean War, 1950-1953--Medical care
- Subject:
- Korean War (1950-1953), United Nations, Military history, and Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force
- Contributor:
- Sherritt, J. K. H. and Reumkens, Brock
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-26
- 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:
- United States, Korea (South), Korea (North), and Canada
- Coordinates:
- 39.76, -98.5 and 60.10867, -113.64258
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recordings (MP3) 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, oral histories (literary genre), interviews, and sound recordings
- Archival Item Identifier:
- SJKH_587
- 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:
- 2009-09-28
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
468. Eichel, Scott: my armed forces recollections (October 28, 2008)
- Title:
- Eichel, Scott: my armed forces recollections (October 28, 2008)
- Description:
- ABSTRACT: Scott Eichel Eichel_S_0571_01.mp3 6:10min Saddam had to be removed from Kuwait - overall mission Had to support the logistics of the operation 5 sea kings - attached to navy - in place properly equipped The fighter organization started off being combat air support for the naval task organization in the upper part of the gulf - initially confined to protecting the ships and ground assets that may have come under attack - did eventually move to sweep and escort mission - made sure they were equipped for what they were doing Fighters moving exclusively from combat to sweep and escort -led inevitably to air to ground -limited air to ground firing 9:50min "Initially, T couldn't formulate in my head what the outcome of this would be, but I was anxious." 13:50min From NDHQ it appeared to be running smoothly Seemed to be quite satisfactory in the air forces "The cooperation and coordination at the lower operational levels ... to the point that there was all kinds of equipment being swapped around and as far as I know, there was no paper trail. no invoices." It was excellent - mostly pretty good Communication was good 21 :00min Were as prepared as we could have been Everyone was caught off guard "We were not as prepared than we could have been, but no less than we ought to have been ... It took almost no time to reconfigure." It evolved to the point when they were fairly well equipped 23:30min "Given the focus of the Canadian public on its concerns we were under-funded for the job we were supposed to be doing, let alone going to the Middle East. We probably could have used more money quicker, but in the end it got done and the money was found." The military is always under-funded, but we made do There was equipment being shuffled/traded amongst troops 27: 10min We were under fire, not to an extent as the British or the Americans Our mission was tailored to the Canadian troops strengths Not until after January 16 30:15min Breathing/respiratory problems Not aware of the ptsd, although there have been reports Stress, medications, environment 32:15min The navy would have applied some lessons The army - would speculate that some of the lessons learned would have been taken from Iraq 34:IOmin The first duty of a government is the physical security of its people - the second is the economic security No strategic importance for us to invade in Rwanda, but there was for the Persian Gulf The UN is predicated on a collection of people getting together trying to do the right thing, but it end up being a group of competing interests 41 :45min -'For anybody who has been in the business, they will tell you that you can't be an effective peacekeeper unless you have got the kind of training that enables you to go to war:', Interviewer: Disher, Courtney, Interviewee: Eichel, Scott, Rank: Major General. , and An interview/narrative of Major General Scott Eichel's experiences during the Gulf War. Interview took place on October 28, 2008.
- Keyword:
- Fighter plane combat, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Finance, Persian Gulf War, 1991, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Organization, United Nations--Armed forces, Peacekeeping forces, Canadian, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Communication systems, Operation Desert Shield, 1990-1991, Persian Gulf syndrome, Psychology, Military, Eichel, Scott--Interviews, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Hussein, Saddam, 1937-2006, Precision guided munitions, Persian Gulf War, 1991--Personal narratives, Canadian, Surface-to-air missiles, Canada--Royal Canadian Navy, Persian Gulf War, 1991--Logistics, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness, Attack helicopters, Combat liaison airplanes, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Equipment, Transportation, Military, Sea King (Helicopter), Persian Gulf War, 1991--Health aspects, Persian Gulf War, 1991--Blockades, Rwanda--History--Civil War, 1994, Iraq-Kuwait Crisis, 1990-1991, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Blockades, Military morale, United Nations--Peacekeeping forces, Persian Gulf, and Persian Gulf War, 1991--Aerial operations, Canadian
- Subject:
- Rwandan Civil War (Rwanda : 1994), Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Persian Gulf War (1991), Iraq-Kuwait Crisis (1990-1991), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Eichel, Scott and Disher, Courtney
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-28
- 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 and Middle East
- Coordinates:
- 33.13906, 35.85869 and 60.10867, -113.64258
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording (MP3) 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:
- ES_571
- 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:
- 2009-10-06
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
469. Yanow, Robert: my Navy recollections (October 28, 2008)
- Title:
- Yanow, Robert: my Navy recollections (October 28, 2008)
- Description:
- ABSTRACT: Rear Admiral Robert Yanow Yanow_R_0565_01.mp3 0:10 Introduction of Robert Yanow. 0:25 1966 Yanow was the FO2FEF as Seagoing officer. Did not participate in the "Fermenting of issue of unification." Amalgamation rather than Unification; possibly a good thing from an economic point of view. Not combat arms; not to be touched. Landymore hesitant, no one really knew what it would all look like. Once they did know "their backs went up." The Air force was happy with the process. Army worried about losing regimental consciousness. Hellyer "bought" as many Sr. Jobs as possible; with support of Air Force. 5:06 Pearson Accepting this: 6:00 So did Mountbatten and McNamara - Use Canada as an example Knowledge of other countries "laughing at" 7:31 Landymore fired; A martyr for the Navy 8:08 Knowledge that officers were retiring. 8:58 Officers became more political then military. 10:04 "It felt like the People of Canada didn't care". A loss of public support. No one cared. Military was not supported by public and political authorities. "that's a dastardly thing" 11:30 Halifax meeting with Hellyer "Not a nice thing". 12:56 O'Brien took over as Maritime Command. A good appointment. "He sloughed off the political stuff". 13:33 XO of Terra Nova; Knowledge of Green uniforms meant that old uniforms were ignored. Dress and deportment was a shame. Stayed that way to 1972. 14:56 Terra Nova was undergoing a major refit. New technologies meant new younger tech savvy people. They cared more. 15:20 Personnel training issue difficult because of lack of education for most sailors. It was a hard transformation to digital from analogue. Many sailors could not make it work. Not until 1970 did higher education requirements (grade 10-12) mean improvements. 17:04 1970 last time he could wear his blue uniform. Posted to fleet school and new training establishment and newer younger students. Things started to turn around for technological services. 18:00 1972 DDH Athabaskan commissioned. Douglas S. Boyle took over Maritime command: Not well liked but very welcomed. He was "hard driving". Turned the bad uniform, haircuts etc around. Within six months things turned around. 19:57 Unification completely implemented but "burning fire" was still felt by Navy and was until 1985 when got back distinctive uniforms. 20:20 Navy refused to use army ranks. Continued to fight to present time. Now there is a reversion, with Canadianisation, to old Navy customs and tradition 21:10 "with a little forethought this could have happened in 1966-67 under a term called amalgamation. Instead we had to get though all this purgatory before we went all round this circle to where we are today. 21:40 Story about wearing green uniform as Naval Attaché in Washington. Complained to Adm Falls; nothing could be done. 22:35 US Navy knew that Canadian Navy was not comfortable in green and they made sure Canada was not a laughing stock. Not very comfortable 23:30 Uniform for the first time, thoughts and feelings. Came in the mail 1970; it was "hart-breaking". 24;25 "no one wear a green uniform… we were a pariah" 24:58 Hellyer didn't care: Interview question with him. Hellyer 'lied' about what he wanted for uniforms. 26: 25 Mess dress was kept: "we wouldn't do it… they (DND) couldn't make us". 27:15 NDHQ and politicalisation of military 28:18 "I found it difficult" more political then military. 28:35 1979 Deputy-Minister Buzz Nixon though newly elected conservative would be out and "our guys" will be back in soon. "politics played a great part in HQ. Sr. Officers were very careful" 29:50 competition and integration between civilian (DND) and military (CF). DND won. 31:54 Were there changes in daily jobs? No "That was the nice thing about being in the navy and being on ships. They couldn't put their fingers on you and make you do what they want. 33: 30 That was a gift to the Navy; Army and Air force not so lucky. 33:45 Mission first. Just get on with it. 34:57 "Unless otherwise directed; intend…" Do then ask. 35:29 Unsure if money was saved. Did not transfer into equipment. What equipment? J5 jet; useless. DDH 280s; "very good indeed" 37:09 Did unification help the professionalism/ tech improvements taking place? Didn't matter; it would have happened anyways. 38:20 Not a fan of the system Regret that no one was strong enough to ask to take a second look at unification. Landymore did and was fired; made the Navy angry. 39:30 Keeping the "buttons and bows" and customs would have gone a long way to help the forces and could have saved money. 40:38 People didn't care. 41:22 Some people didn't mind unification. Profit off of it. 41:51 Sr. Officers profited off of it. The promotions to fill holes helped. 42:52 Retired in Navy Blues., Interviewee: Yanow, Robert, An interview/narrative of Robert Yanow's recollections on the formation of the Canadian Armed Forces. Interview took place on October 28, 2008., Rank: Rear-Admiral. , and Interviewer: Bienvenu, Kyle
- Subject:
- United States. Navy, Military history, Naval history, and Armed Forces--Officers
- Contributor:
- Bienvenu, Kyle and Yanow, Robert
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-28
- 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:
- Washington (D.C.)
- Coordinates:
- 38.89511, -77.03637
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording (WMA) 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, oral histories (literary genre), sound recordings, and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- YR_565
- 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:
- 2009-11-24
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
470. Veronneau, Jean: my armed forces recollections (October 29, 2008)
- Title:
- Veronneau, Jean: my armed forces recollections (October 29, 2008)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Jean Veronneau's recollections on the formation of the Canadian Armed Forces. Interview took place on October 29, 2008., ABSTRACT: Brigadier General Jean Veronneau Veronneau_J_0564_01.mp3 0:05 Introduction of interviewee "Only Unified Officer." Served in all three elements. 1:03 Unique perspective on Unification. 2:08 Canadian Forces were not developing a unified product. 2:24 Anybody who agreed with Unification was a threat to those who did not. 2:45 Joined the Navy. History of naval career. 5:30 Happy in the navy. "Best flying I ever did; most demanding but also the most rewarding." 5:58 By 1968 unification was a "fait acomplie", "we were aware that we were going to become… we were going to be transferred to the pilots list. Many of us were looking forward to that." 6:25 The Carrier was going to be scrapped. 6:41 The naval aviation would be strictly destroyer. That would considerably cut down the quality of aviation. 7:10 Change from a/c carrier to destroyer aviation tactics. 8:40 Anti-Submarine tactics. 9:40 Aware of changes to capabilities. As an LCdr, was too high in rank to qualify for interesting jobs. 10:25 Options of choosing another naval job or remaining a pilot. 10:40 A product of decommissioning Bonaventure not of unification. 10:52 "People, like me, who wanted to stay in aviation, then unification was a godsend." 11:35 Isolation from other naval officers. 12:15 People were very fearful Competition between Naval aviation and Air Force. 13:00 The dangers and difficulty of Naval Aviation. 14:04 Army Staff College. 14:30 Awareness that army had planned to create an aviation group. 15:20 Makeup of Naval Aviation groups. Army's aviation make up. (Armour and Artillery; L19s) Type of use and training. 17:35 Army had no aviation structure. Were hoping to make one like the Americans Not said but realized. 18:20 Army Staff College class. What took place in school. Aimed at strategic "war schooling". 20:17 Only two Naval Officers; Transport and Pilot Only two Air Force Officers; Fighter pilots 21:18 Navy had a surplus of pilots, maintenance crews; could fill Army vacancies. 21:51 "There was a job for me". 21:16 "I could be a part of that new direction". 23:20 "the army was paying attention" 23:38 Cleared up his Navy-Army-Air force transformation. 24:45 When did all aviation become Air force? Gradually 25:05 10 Tactical Air Group (10 TAG). Army aviation air group, filled with airmen, but an army formation. 25:20 10 TAG make up, Veronneau's involvement and creation. 29:01 Unification happened but not enough uniforms. Stayed in Blues until 1970. Phase in process. 30:00 Working with Army and associated as Army Pilot. 31:29 10 TAG transferred to Air force, 1970(?) 32:00 No inkling to have an air command: Individual element would have control over their own aviation group. 32:50 LGen Carr persuaded (1969?1970) the CDS that the air force needed its own grouping. The Air force would be better to control all air groups. The CDS agreed. 33:51 Air Command would be formed in Winnipeg. "It would be responsible for all aviation in Canada". Other air organizations would come under the Air force. 34:40 10 TAG would be transferred too. 35:15 "The Army made me responsible to protect their interests" "Now loyalty had shifted" 36:17 Maintenance of identities still existed. 37:50 1980: Task Force on Review of Unification of the Canadian Forces 39:20 Review group. Asked to serve on group. (Veronneau showed interviewer a picture of the group.) Review report in three months. 40:25 He was aware of task group. Did not report, knew of other people who testified to the committee. No one was aware of their conclusion. 41:50 If you had been asked to testify what would you have said? What were your feelings? "I was a Sr. officer by then. I knew about budgets". 42:58 "I knew we were straining our recourses; we were absolutely running on a dime. We were rusting out." 43:57 Would you have reported that the budget problems were a product of Unification? " I would have reported that we had no choice." Unification was needed. 44:44 "The idea that we could go back to three services; the idea that we could have survived without creating a infrastructure that could be sustained at less cost […] there was no more discussion. This doesn't mean that there wasn't people who wanted to argue." 45:24 "To me I had long come to the conclusion that we were stuck with Unification." "I'm not saying unification, per se, was a good thing". The reality of the size of the Canadian Forces, however, demanded it. 48:20 How were you selected for the review group? Bilingual. Air Force member . A 'unified" officer. Gen Withers (?) was CDS and knew Veronneau's work or remembered him. 51:50 A good reputation. 52:10 Review group. Not there to write a report or to be impartial. 52:20 Author of "Identity" Section of Review Group on The Report of the Task Force on Unification of the Canadian Forces. (This is the document he refers to on tape- also he has answered some questions via email prior to this interview, which were submitted to Special Collections with the interview.) 55:22 Did not recommend reverting to distinct uniforms. (There is an elephant analogy. Veronneau is holding a poster with an Elephant and his recommendations on it. This is also submitted with the interview.) 57:00 Not separate elements. The majority of CF members are support trades which work in any situation. If they were dressed in a uniform but working with members of another they will be "ostracized". 59:15 "We were convinced that unification would succeed better more quickly and the links that would be formed would be more tenacious if we were all in the same colour of uniform." "we could do all kinds of things with that uniform" such as badges but the core of the uniform 1:00:00 "I am convinced that because we went to three uniforms that today we have to pay thousands of dollars to ask people to reenlist." 1:01:00 Education of sailors and soldiers. 1:01:48 I have a gut feeling that I have been proven right in the long run." 1:02:00 Loss of team cohesion 1:02:37 Post-Report (1985) ostracizeation of Veronnneau 1:04:17 Navy and Air force determination to remove Unification. "They were determined to colour the Navy dark blue". 1:05:14 Exiled to Washington for three years. Colleagues (points to a picture of the Review Group) are promoted, but his career end at BGen. Not because people were unhappy with the report, but rather a dissatisfaction with Veronneau's stance on "identity" and Unification especially from his Superiors in the Air force. 1:07:05 "A lot of people spoke as if they were supporting Unification, but they conducted themselves, and a day to day basis, to the detriment of Unification." 1:07:10 Command and Control of Navy and Army means they have control of all assets including aviation. The Air force lacks the strategic control; it only has a "mission". "It is a support organization […] meant to support the Navy the Army and NORAD." 1:09:57 Except Air transport and training facilities. "Like a landlord providing facilities." 1:10:17 "So if there is one organization that should develop officers that are adequate and involved and committed to working with the navy and to working with the army and the Americans with NORAD[…] it should be the air force. Because that is their 'raison d'etre'… but there is nothing in the air force structure that allows that." No Command and Control No High level school 1:12:45 Management schools but no command schools. 1:13:40 nothing at the Maj, LCol, Col and Gen level. 1:14:00 Therefore the Air force's General staff are lacking a strategic skill set. They rise through ranks in only once service. They do not have the necessary experience to command at the highest levels. 1:15:00 At the Col level "that's where the buck stops". 1:15:40 above that only ignorance to conditions, demands and difficulties. 1:16:45 "what they [Air force staff] wanted to do was isolate themselves, to pursue there own interests in area which were of minimal, minimal, resource for the Armed Forces. It might have looked good to them for the Air force […] but for their colleagues in the Army and the Navy who had helicopters falling out of the sky [it was of no use]. Results of this are the current affairs of the Canadian Forces. Including air transport in Afghanistan. 1:19:35 Not fair to just blame the government. You need a staff that is able to know the conditions and is supportive of the Navy and the Army rather then just selfish interests. To not means you do not get "Sea King" Helicopters. 1:21:18 If the Armed Forces had made a virtue of unity as opposed to an exception" then Unification would have been more successful. 1:22:01 Praise for Gen Hiller. Description of the responsibilities of the CDS 1:22:41 The 'civilianization' of HQ. "People may be in uniform, but they are thinking like civilians. They are forgetting that what it is all about is war preparation." 1:22:30 Veronneau offers his strategic viewpoint of war and Iraq situation. (Interviewers note: As Veronneau was concluding and was packing up he began discussing his work on the "Identity" section of the Review Group on The Report of the Task Force on Unification of the Canadian Forces. He began again talking about the report and how its release affected his career. He ask that the tape be shut off so that he might speak more candidly and off the record. The recorded interview ends there.), Interviewee: Veronneau, Jean, Rank: Brigadier-General. , and Interviewer: Bienvenu, Kyle
- Subject:
- Armed Forces--Officers, Naval history, Military history, North American Aerospace Defense Command, and Afghan Wars
- Contributor:
- Bienvenu, Kyle and Veronneau, Jean
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2008-10-29
- 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 Washington (D.C.)
- Coordinates:
- 38.89511, -77.03637 and 33, 66
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recording (MP3) 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:
- VJ_564
- 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:
- 2009-11-24
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.