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

Resource type

Collection

Subject

Genre

Location

Canada, , Canada

Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/4a7eade6-d0b7-4807-8cd2-6eb9c5a66937

Collection Details

: Items 789
: Last Updated 2025-04-01

Parent Collections (1)

Military History Collection

Works (789)

621. Mitchell, Edward Gerard: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 17, 2012)

Title:: Mitchell, Edward Gerard: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 17, 2012)
Description:: ABSTRACT: Lieutenant Colonel Ed Mitchell, spent his career conducting maintenance for the Canadian Forces as an aerospace engineer. Not only did he command the maintenance detachment at CFB Shearwater in the 1990s, but he also spent time in the civilian sector as the General Manager of Coulson Aeronautics. Our discussions focused largely on base organization and maintenance practices regarding the Sea King. Part 1 0.00-5.55 Biographical Information 5.55-14.06 AMMIS (Initial Digitization of Maintenance Records) Part 2 0.00-13.05 Organization of Maintenance Personnel (AERE) 4.17 Description of Base (423/443 at Shearwater) 7.08 Composition of HELAIRDET Maintenance 9.41 Responsibilities at Sea 11.48 Gulf War Maintenance Detachment 13.05-33.26 1st Line, 2nd Line, 3rd Line Maintenance 24.32 Different Periodicities of Equipment 30.5 Importance of Pre-Deployment Check of Helicopters 33.26-1.00.05 Issues in Sea King Maintenance 37.31 Bogus Parts 41.09 Lack of Money for the Sea King 48.28 Issues of Maintenance in the Gulf 56.21 Short Tail Rotor Blades in the 1980s 1.00.05 Anecdote of Ocean Ranger (1982) 1.04.30 3rd Line Maintenance – Numbers 1.06.01 Painting Shop (Political Angle) 1.08.38-1:18:10 Civilian Sea Kings vs. Military Sea King 1.18.10-126:21 NSA Requirements Part 3 0 Description of 12 AMS 3.55 Complication with Maintenance across Canada 11.28 Operations with HOTEF 13:43 Recovering from the NSA, Interviewer: Ayers, Caylan, An interview/narrative of Lieutenant-Colonel Ed Mitchell's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces. Interview took place on March 17, 2012., Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel. Medals and Honours: Commander's Commendation Award; Canadian Forces Decoration; Order of Military Merit, and Interviewee: Mitchell, Edward Gerard, b. 1951
Keyword:: Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Maritime Helicopter Squadron, 443, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Maritime Helicopter Squadron, 423, Anti-submarine warfare--Equipment and supplies, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Shearwater, N.S.)--History, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Finance, Oil well drilling rigs, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter Squadron, 423, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Weapons systems, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Equipment--Testing, Aviation mechanics (Persons), Sea King (Helicopter)--Maintenance and repair, Sea King (Helicopter)--Modification, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Military life, Sikorsky H-92 (Helicopter), Sea King (Helicopter), Sea King (Helicopter)--Parts, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Shearwater, N.S.)--Organization, Canada--Dept. of National Defence--New Shipboard Aircraft Project, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Equipment and supplies, Mitchell, Edward Gerard, 1951- --Interviews, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Wing, 12, Ocean Ranger (Drilling rig), Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Shearwater, N.S.)--Helicopter Operational Test and Evaluation Facility (HOTEF), Sikorsky helicopters, Antisubmarine warfare, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Organization, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Procurement, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Sea King Omnibus Modification Program (SKOMP), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Air Maintenance Squadron, 12, Antisubmarine aircraft, and Aerospace engineers
Subject:: Persian Gulf War (1991), Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, and Military history
Contributor:: Ayers, Caylan and Mitchell, Edward Gerard, b. 1951
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-17
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 3 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Middle East and Canada
Coordinates:: 60.10867, -113.64258 and 33.13906, 35.85869
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:: interviews, sound recordings, reminiscences, and oral histories (literary genre)
Archival Item Identifier:: ME_703
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-17
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

622. Soley, Mike: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 17, 2012)

Title:: Soley, Mike: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 17, 2012)
Description:: ABSTRACT: First I started my interview with the date and the person that I was interviewing, in this case Mike Soley. After, I asked his permission to record the interview and I asked him to give me a basic introduction about himself and his military career. First told me that he was part of Princes Patricia Battalion as corporal. He continued to tell me about the Yugoslavian war, and his pre-deployment in Yugoslavia. According to him, he felt prepared after he arrived in Yugoslavia, and the rules of engagement were clear. He felt safe most of the times, and on occasion he was allowed to leave the camp, as long he had a pistol with him. He told me that the main objective was to maintain the peace in the area, remove the mines that were still dangerous, and confiscate left-over weapons from civilians. He did not encounter any dangerous situations, and he was never fired upon while he was in Yugoslavia. At the end of the interview I asked him . about his trip to Republika Srpska and according to him, the situation was stable there as well. On his last days in Yugoslavia, he was not necessarily relieved, but he was definitely happy to go back home. 0:00-01:09 - Military Background, Princess Patricia Battalion 01:09-03:37 - Beginning of Yugoslavian War and pre-deployment in Yugoslavia. 03:37-06:50 - Rules of engagement and the difference from NATO to UN 06:50-07:56 - Felt prepared for the mission in former Yugoslavia 07:56-11:23 - Everyday life in the former Yugoslavia was fairly safe . 11 :23-13:16 - Felt well equipped for missions. 13:16-14:33 - Mine marking and removal 14:33-17:08 - Confiscation of illegal weapons for population 17:08-18:26 - Good relation with civilians 18:26-27:29 - 2002 Yugoslavian tour 27:29-28:10 - No casualties for the UN soldiers beside traffic accidents. 28: 10-35:43 - In the rest of the tour, no specific events happened., Interviewee: Soley, Mike, b. 1977, Interviewer: Ratiu, Ovidiu, An interview/narrative of Captain Mike Soley's experiences during the Yugoslav wars. Interview took place on March 17, 2012., and Rank: Captain. Medals and Honours: Campaign Star; NATO medal for the former Yugoslavia
Keyword:: Bosnia and Hercegovina--Realtions--Croatia, Bosnians, Bosnia--History--1992-, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Organization, SFOR (Organization), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Officers, Training of, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Croatia--Politics and government--1990-, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Non-commissioned officers, Civil-military relations, IFOR (Organization), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry--Battalion, 3rd, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Reserves, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Equipment, Mines (Military explosives)--Detection, Mines (Military explosives), Land mines, Bosnia and Hercegovina--Social life and customs, Bosnia--Politics and government--1992-, Balkan Peninsula--Ethnic relations, Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Scottish Regiment, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Edmonton, Alta.), Soley, Mike, 1977- --Interviews, Peacekeeping forces, Canadian, Rules of engagement, Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Hercegovina), Croatia--Social life and customs, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Bosnia and Hercegovina--Politics and Government--1992-, Croatia--Realtions--Serbia, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Wainwright, Alta.), Croats, Croatia--Relations--Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia--History--1990-, Bosnia and Hercegovina--History--1992-, United Nations--Armed Forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, Bosnia and Hercegovina--Ethnic relations, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Drill and tactics, Military morale, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Military life, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Leaves and furloughs, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Demobilization, United Nations--Peacekeeping forces, Military education, and Infantry drill and tactics
Subject:: Military history, Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Siege of Sarajevo (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina : 1992-1996), and United Nations
Contributor:: Soley, Mike, b. 1977 and Ratiu, Ovidiu
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-17
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 Yugoslavia
Coordinates:: 44, 19.75 and 60.10867, -113.64258
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, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and reminiscences
Archival Item Identifier:: SM_725
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-17
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

623. Acton, Richard Keith: my Air Force recollections (March 20, 2012)

Title:: Acton, Richard Keith: my Air Force recollections (March 20, 2012)
Description:: An interview/narrative of Flight Lieutenant Richard Acton's experiences whilst serving with 408 Squadron. Interview took place on March 20, 2012., Interviewee: Acton, Richard Keith, b. 1931, Interviewer: Schade, Dan, ABSTRACT: Flight Lieutenant Acton’s interview focussed exclusively on his time with 408 Squadron, beginning in early 1954. F/L Action flew aboard the Lancaster Mark x as a navigator during the SHORAN survey of Northern Canada. With great detail, he discusses his time on this survey, while also detailing how the survey worked as a system. The narrative also includes a number of detailed recollections on life in the R.C.A.F. at the time; for ground and air crew. While still flying with 408 Squadron F/L Acton then transferred into the reconnaissance unit within the squadron; flying covert flights over the Arctic in search of Soviet drift stations. Track one 0:00 Introduction 0:30 Joining the R.C.A.F 2:34 Posting to 408 Squadron 5:50 Flying the Dakota and Canso 7:10 SHORAN work and the summer of 1955 11:50 The installation of a SHORAN site. 14:20 Discussion of the SHORAN survey itself 19:00 Dry bulb and wet bulb temperature measurements 19:30 Reflection on SHORAN station personnel 22:10 Acton’s role in the SHORAN survey 23:15 Normal Wells in the Northwest Territories, Ken Brown, and the Dew Line 24:45 Clinton Point DEW Line station, and the USAF 28:30 The Whitehorse detachments and the mid-Canada Line 29:45 Fox Main Dew Line site 32:45 Flying the Lancaster in Cambridge Bay – Crash 35:10 The Final year of SHORAN, a Detachment out of Resolute and THULE Anti-aircraft radar lock. 37:05 Ken Brown and the Recce Flight. Cadanov Mckulskly (sp?) Track two 0:00 The Air Romp flight 1:00 The Apex Rocket flight 2:30 Soviet Ice Islands 4:00 The First Apex rocket Flight of 408 4:30 F/L Acton’s own Apex Rocket Flight and Drift Station #7 9:20 Ken Brown in the Lancaster 11:20 408 Squadron flying Filter Flights 16:30 NCBC, and National film Board crew members on board over the Nahanni Valley 18:40 Air Romp flights or Ice Recce’s where other Federal employee’s were aboard. 20:10 The smell of the greenery over Ottawa and the return of darkness for crews. 21:15 The end of the SHORAN survey and the creation of maps 22:10 The end of the Lancaster’s engines and the aircraft itself 22:45 A scary flight with multiple engine failures 25:00 The Packard Merlin engine in the Lancaster 25:40 In Flight Conditions in the Lancaster 26:50 Ground Crews 28:00 The dress of air crew 29:10 The impact of the Cold War on the Squadron 31:00 Mapping during the cold war and Canadian Sovereignty in the North 34:00 The perception of 408 in the R.C.A.F. 37:00 The Historiography of 408 sw 39:10 F/L Acton’s fondest memories and the cohesion in 408 39:50 Defeating the mess committee and life in Ottawa 43:00 No. 1 Photographic Establishment, Rockcliffe 3D imaging 44:50 Angus Hamilton and the Geodetic Department in Whitehorse 47:00 Flying the geodetic survey 50:00 The Location of Ice Islands 50:30 Conclusion, and Rank: Flight Lieutenant. Medals and Honours: Canadian Forces Decoration
Keyword:: Consolidated aircraft, Sovereignty--Canada, Clinton Point (Nunavut)(PIN-1 : Auxiliary DEW Line station), Radar in navigation, Canso (Seaplane), Air-to-air missiles, Airplanes--Motors, Aerial photogrammetry, Flight navigators, Acton, Richard Keith, 1931- --Interviews, Aeronautics, Military--Communication systems, Aerial photography, Airborne warning and control systems, Surveying, Airplanes, Military--Maintenance and repair, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Squadron, 408, Arctic regions--Maps, Drifting ice stations--Arctic Ocean, Air defenses--Canada, Thule Air Base (Greenland), Pinetree Line, Meteorological stations--Nunavut--Cornwallis Island, Photographic surveying, Ballistic missile early warning system, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Personal narratives, Canadian, Lancaster (Bomber)--Modifications, Radar defense networks--Canada, Airplanes, Military--Modification, Aviation ground crews, Aids to air navigation, Cold War, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Aerial reconnaissance, Canada, Northern--Maps, Geological Survey of Canada, Norman Wells (N.W.T.), Brown, Kenneth William (Ken), 1920-2002, Whitehorse (Yukon), Airplanes, Military--Radar equipment, Tracking radar, Canada--Surveys, United States--Air Force, Canada--RCAF Station (Rockcliffe, Ont.), Flight crews, Arctic Coast (Canada)--Maps, Altitude, Influence of, Cambridge Bay (Nunavut), Canada--RCAF Station (Resolute Bay, Nunavut), Reconnaissance aircraft, Geodesy--Observations, Douglas DC-3 (Transport plane), Lancaster (Bomber), Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Squadron, 408--History, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Military life, Mid-Canada Line, Photographic reconnaissance systems, Dakota (Transport plane), Hamilton, Angus C., DEW Line, Electronics in navigation, Geographical positions, Ice islands, Night flying, North American Air Defense Command, Airplanes--Cold weather operation, Catalina (Seaplane), Air defenses--United States, Hall Beach(Nunavut) (Fox : Main DEW Line station), Landing aids (Aeronautics), Merlin engines, and Shoran
Subject:: Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, Cold War (1945-1989), Military history, and United States. Air Force
Contributor:: Acton, Richard Keith, b. 1931 and Schade, Dan
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-20
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:: 2 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Canada and United States
Coordinates:: 60.10867, -113.64258 and 39.76, -98.5
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:: interviews, reminiscences, sound recordings, and oral histories (literary genre)
Archival Item Identifier:: AR_727
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-20
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

624. Baker, George Malcolm: my Air Force recollections (March 20, 2012)

Title:: Baker, George Malcolm: my Air Force recollections (March 20, 2012)
Description:: Interviewer: Schade, Dan, ABSTRACT: Lieutenant Colonel Baker’s Interview focussed exclusively on 408 Squadron’s work in the SHORAN survey of the North an sub-arctic up until 1957. The discussion covers many of the technical details of the survey from a Navigator’s perspective, as well as various other important details about the survey itself. LCol Baker (then a Flying Officer) flew as a navigator aboard the Canso flying boat, and many of his recollections are of these flights. Finally, Baker offers a very thorough analysis of what life was like in 408 Squadron during the survey work, including the feeling of institutional neglect from the rest of the Air Force at the time. 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Joining the R.C.A.F 4:00 Navigator training at the time 8:10 Entrance to 408 Squadron 11:10 Learning of his role in the Arctic 13:10 Flying the Canso and installing SHORAN ground stations 15:35 Ken Brown and the division between senior and junior officers 18:15 Common perceptions of 408’s work at the time 18:50 Challenges of Navigating in the North 23:30 Thule, the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys and Operation Pillow 29:00 The use and difficulties surrounding SHORAN on the survey 34:00 The Korean war’s impact on the Survey 34:30 The Rockcliffe Mess and a new member’s responsibilities upon joining the squadron 37:45 Feelings of neglect by the R.C.A.F., and hardships of life for family members 42:00 The Dew Line sites 51:00 The Lancaster 57:10 A Canso Navigator’s responsibilities during the Survey 60:00 The end of the Shoradetic Survey and Lt. Col Baker’s trip to Egypt in 1957 67:00 American involvement with 408 Squadron in Egypt. 68:00 Reflecting on the historiography of the Survey 69:00 Perceptions on the impact of the Cold War on 408 76:00 The large number of commonwealth personnel on training 82:30 The culture of aviation during 408’s survey work. 83:45 Unification 87:20 Conclusion, Rank: Lieutenant Colonel. Medals and Honours: Canadian Forces Decoration; General Service Medal; Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal; United Nations Emergency Force Medal, An interview/narrative of Lieutenant Colonel George Baker's experiences whilst serving with 408 Squadron. Interview took place on March 20, 2012., and Interviewee: Baker, George Malcolm, b. 1933
Keyword:: Canada, Northern--Maps, Reconnaissance aircraft, Air defenses--Canada, Airplanes, Military--Maintenance and repair, Air-to-air missiles, Baker, George Malcolm, 1933- --Interviews, Consolidated aircraft, Lancaster (Bomber)--Modifications, Douglas DC-3 (Transport plane), Aerial photography, Airborne warning and control systems, DEW Line, Canso (Seaplane), North American Air Defense Command, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Squadron, 408, Meteorological stations, Sovereignty--Canada, Cold War, Airplanes, Military--Radar equipment, Altitude, Influence of, Electronics in navigation, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Squadron, 408--History, Radar defense networks--Canada, Ballistic missile early warning system, Geographical positions, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Military life, Airplanes--Motors, Photographic surveying, Canada--Dept. of Mines and Technical Surveys, Canada--Surveys, Canada--RCAF Station (Rockcliffe, Ont.), Tracking radar, Thule Air Base (Greenland), Aviation ground crews, United States--Air Force, Airplanes, Military--Modification, Pinetree Line, Whitehorse (Yukon), Photographic reconnaissance systems, Flight navigators, Geological Survey of Canada, Korean War, 1950-1953--Influence, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Aerial reconnaissance, Dakota (Transport plane), Mid-Canada Line, Aerial photogrammetry, Aids to air navigation, Geodesy--Observations, Shoran, Surveying, Brown, Kenneth William (Ken), 1920-2002, Airplanes--Cold weather operation, Night flying, Air defenses--United States, Radar in navigation, Canada--Royal Canadian Air Force--Personal narratives, Canadian, Drifting ice stations--Arctic Ocean, Aeronautics, Military--Communication systems, Lancaster (Bomber), Arctic regions--Maps, Ice islands, Arctic Coast (Canada)--Maps, Flight crews, and Catalina (Seaplane)
Subject:: Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, United States. Air Force, Korean War (1950-1953), Cold War (1945-1989), Military history, and United Nations Emergency Force
Contributor:: Baker, George Malcolm, b. 1933 and Schade, Dan
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-20
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:: United States, Canada, Korea (South), and Korea (North)
Coordinates:: 40, 127, 36.5, 127.75, 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:: reminiscences, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and interviews
Archival Item Identifier:: BG_728
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-20
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

625. Parkinson, Stewart Ronald: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 22, 2012)

Title:: Parkinson, Stewart Ronald: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 22, 2012)
Description:: Interviewer: Balfour, Jimmy, An interview/narrative of Major Stewart Parkinson's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces during the Cold War and the First Gulf War. Interview took place on March 22, 2012., ABSTRACT: Major Parkinson talks first about his rise to Major in the Canadian Forces, which began in 1972 and included extensive training, many posts in Canada, multiple trips to Germany and Cyprus. He then goes on to talk about his year in Iraq as a UN International Observer: Arriving in Baghdad, inspecting Iranian complaints about Iraqi defence positions, and dealing with Iraqi Liaison Officers, and injuries in his hand, cheek, and torso from a landmine while out on patrol. He also discusses the intricacies of the UN, and the divide between Muslim and non-Muslim troops. He describes the logistical shift that was undertaken immediately preceding the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait that started the Gulf War. Recording 1 0:00 – 17:00 - Major Parkinson introduction, background, and career summary, including postings in Germany, Cyprus, Canada, and Iraq. 17:00 -23:00 - Working as a UN Military Observer in Iraq; Training; Medical preparation. 23:00 - 33:30 - Arriving in Iraq in 1989: first impressions; UN wages; troop diversity. 33:30 - 36:00 - Perception of UN posting in the Canadian Forces. 36:00 - 40:00 - First patrol in Northern Iraq; UN rules: No markings on maps in field. 42:00- 45:00 - Lasting impressions of terrible Iraqi drivers. 45:00 - 47:00 - Job dealings with Iraqi Liaison Officers; international tension. 47:00 - 51:30 - Tension and dispute with an Iraqi Liaison Officer. 51:30 - 59:56 - Description of routine of the 42nd Division in Northern Iraq: Stew is injured by shrapnel from a landmine. Recording 2 0:00 - 7:30- Landmine injury and treatment; Iraqi hospitals. 7:30 - 10:00 - Wife's notification of injury; leave in Canada. 10:00 - 12:00 - Leave policies in the UN; 5 leave trips. 12:30 - 16:00 - Religion, outlawed atheism, and UN troops from communist countries. 16:00 - 19:00 - Returning to Northern Iraq from leave; patrol descriptions; Iraqi TV. 19:00 - 20:00 - Reflecting of the wall coming down; reaction of communist troops. 20:00 - 23:00 - The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait; war-gaming the invasion. 23:00 - 27:00 - Iran-Iraq War; Lack of quality of Iraqi and Iranian soldiers; atrocities. 27:00 - 30:00 - Iraqi preparation for invasion of Kuwait; car accident. 30:00 - 38:00 - Division between Muslim and non-Muslim troops within the UN; UN troops spying for Iraq; emergency escape plans. 38:00 - 41:30 - Iraq under Saddam Hussein's reign: authoritarian rule. 41:30 - 48:00 - Changes in Iraq after the Kuwait invasion. 48:00 - 56:00 - Interacting with Iraqis; Differences between Iraqi and US military. 56:00 - 58:00 - Brief description of the last two months of Iraqi posting. 59:00 - 1:08:00 - UN mission observations; conclusion., Rank: Major. Medals and Honours: Special Service Medal; Canadian Forces Decoration; Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal; United Nations IranIraq Military Observer Group Medal; United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus Medal, and Interviewee: Parkinson, Stewart Ronald, b. 1953
Keyword:: Iraq-Kuwait Crisis, 1990-1991, Islam, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Leaves and furloughs, Iraq--Jaysh--Liaison officers, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry--Battalion, 3rd, United States--Army, Combat patrol, Kurds--Iraq, Peacekeeping forces, Canadian, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 3, Automobile drivers--Iraq, Artish-i A?za?di?bakhsh-i Milli?-i I?ra?n, Cyprus--History--Cyprus Crisis, 1974-, United Nations--Peacekeeping forces, War--Religious aspects, Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's). , Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988--Kurds, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Royal Canadian Regiment--Battalion, 1st, Turkey--Ordu, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Medical care, Cold War, Operation Desert Shield, 1990-1991, Iraqi Liaison Officers, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Reserves, Parkinson, Stewart Ronald, 1953- --Interviews, United Nations--Armed Forces, Muslim soldiers, War games, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Baden-Soellingen, Germany), Kuwait, United Nations--Cyprus, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Royal Westminster Regiment, Persian Gulf War, 1991, War wounds, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Iran-Iraq War, 1980-1988, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Wainwright, Alta.), Green Line (Cyprus), Basic training (Military education), Iran, Greece--Stratos, United Nations--Iran Iraq Military Observer Group, Hussein, Saddam, 1937-2006, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Cornwallis, N.S.), Land mines, Cyprus--History--Turkish Invasion, 1974, United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Cyprus--Politics and government--1960-2004, and Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Petawawa, Ont.)
Subject:: Turkish Invasion of Cyprus (Cyprus : 1974), Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Military history, Iraq-Kuwait Crisis (1990-1991), Soldiers, and Persian Gulf War (1991)
Contributor:: Balfour, Jimmy and Parkinson, Stewart Ronald, b. 1953
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-22
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 2 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: United States, Cyprus, and Canada
Coordinates:: 39.76, -98.5, 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), sound recordings, reminiscences, and interviews
Archival Item Identifier:: PS_707
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-22
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 160 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

626. Evans, Scott William: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 23, 2012)

Title:: Evans, Scott William: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 23, 2012)
Description:: Interviewer: Conquist, Stefan, Rank: Corporal. Medals and Honours: General Campaign Star, Interviewee: Evans, Scott William, b. 1984, An interview/narrative of Corporal Scott Evan's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. Interview took place on March 23, 2012., and ABSTRACT: Begins with introductions and his reasons for joining the Army Reserves in 2003. The unit he joined, the military trade he chose, and the nature of armoured reconnaissance are discussed. The training Mr. Evans engaged in before going overseas was at Shilo, Edmonton, and Wainwright. Weapons skills, cultural awareness, and vehicular training were all covered. Evans' job on both tours was in the Force Protection Platoon for the National Support Element. He trained closely with other reservists in this platoon as well as the Supply and Transportation company which they escorted. He describes the kind of duties his first tour (Roto 5) covered, both as gate guards and convoy escorts. His second tour (Roto 8) consisted entirely of convoy duties. He describes how he felt about the atmosphere of both Force Protection Platoons. The narrative then progresses towards Kandahar itself with the description of Kandahar Airfield (KAF) and what the trip from Canada to Afghanistan was like. Guarding the base was described along with working alongside local Afghans. For half of Roto 5, and the entirety of Roto 8, he was a vehicle driver and later gunner escorting convoys. These formations were widespread, as far east as Spin Boldak, to police substations in Ghorak (north), and as far west as Camp Pegasus. Personal protective equipment, most notably the deficiencies of the standard Tactical Vest, are explored in depth. Vehicles are discussed as well, namely the RG-31 “Nyala' mine-resistant armored vehicle and the LAV III RWS (Remote Weapon Station). Weapons employed are also an important consideration for the Force Protection Platoon. Issues with the newer 'Nanuk' remote-weapon station were a serious concern during the Roto 8 tour. After this, he described both HLTAs (home leave travel assistance) during his tours. Roto 5 he went to the United Kingdom, with a family member, and on Roto 8 he went to Australia. HLTA helped Evans cope with the constant exposure and lack of privacy overseas. The psychological strain of working with the same group of people for so long was alleviated with the arrival of new soldiers to take over the platoon's positions. Leaving the theatre and going to decompression was another point of contention on Roto 5, especially returning to the BCRs. Despite this experience, he decided to go again afterwards for Roto 8. The narrative is concluded with some final thoughts about his motivations for going overseas, as well as some thoughts regarding Afghanistan in general. 0:00 – 10:40 – Reasons for joining the reserves, initial and pre-deployment training. 11:10 – 14:35 – Arriving in Kandahar and a description of Kandahar Airfield (KAF) 14:35 – 18:40 – Gate guard and convoy escort duties overseas. 18:44 – 36:54 – Personal equipment, vehicles, and the Remote Weapon Systems. 36:55 – 44:50 – HLTA after living with the Force Protection Platoon. 44:50 – 48:37 – Training compared to the tour and the arrival of replacement members. 48:38 – 53:00 – Leaving Kandahar, decompression, and arriving back in Canada. 53:01 – 55:37 – Motivations for the tour and some views on the mission in Afghanistan.
Keyword:: Gunnery, Kandaha?r (Afghanistan), Cultural awareness, Armored vehicles, Military, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--National Support Element--Force Protection Platoon, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--British Columbia Regiment, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Leaves and furloughs, Body armor, RG-31 Nyala (Armored personnel carrier), Afghanistan--History--2001-, Spi?n Bu?ldak (Afghanistan), Afghan War, 2001- --Personal narratives, Canadian, Machine guns, Afghanistan National Security Forces, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Military convoys, Civil-military relations--Afghanistan, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Battle Group TF 1-08 (Operation Athena Rotation 5), Afghanistan--Afghan National Army, War--Psychological aspects, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Equipment, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry--Battalion, 1st, Operation Athena (2003-2011), Armored personnel carriers, Basic training (Military education), Kandaha?r (Afghanistan : Province), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Uniforms, Afghan War, 2001- --Reconnaissance operations, Canadian, Evans, Scott William, 1984- --Interviews, Afghan War, 2001- , Afghans, Improvised explosive device, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Shilo, Man.), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry--Battalion, 2nd, International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan), Culture conflict, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 2, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Wainwright, Alta.), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 5, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Reserves, Kandahar Airfield (Afghanistan), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Medical care, Ghorak (Afghanistan--Kandaha?r (Province) : District), Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Edmonton, Alta.), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Battle Group TF 3-09 (Operation Athena Rotation 8), M151 Protector (Remote Weapon Station), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Firearms , Camp Pegasus (Afghanistan : Military base), Race relations, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Afghanistan--Afghan National Police, Afghanistan--Politics and government--2001-, Guard duty, Weapons systems, and Nanuk (Remote Weapon Station)
Subject:: Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Military history, Afghan War (2001-2021), and Afghan Wars
Contributor:: Evans, Scott William, b. 1984 and Conquist, Stefan
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-23
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 Afghanistan
Coordinates:: 33, 66 and 60.10867, -113.64258
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:: oral histories (literary genre), reminiscences, interviews, and sound recordings
Archival Item Identifier:: ES_709
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-23
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 22 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

627. Clews, Stephen Raymond Rex: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 24, 2012)

Title:: Clews, Stephen Raymond Rex: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 24, 2012)
Description:: An interview/narrative of Corporal Stephen Clews's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. Interview took place on March 24, 2012., ABSTRACT: Reasons for joining the British Columbia Regiment in September 2003 are covered first, followed by a description of his trade in armoured reconnaissance. Stephen Clews has done two tours total, the earlier being one of the first Canadian Leopard 2A6M drivers (Battlegroup Roto 4) and the second as a crew commander for the NSE's Force Protection platoon (Roto 8). He describes training with the Lord Strathcona's Horse Regular Force unit for his first tour and training with 1 Service Battalion for his tour as a crew commander. Some friction was initially encountered during his first workup training with the regular force, but this had smoothed out somewhat during the predeployment training for the second. Personal equipment, weapons, and vehicles for the job are described in some depth. After arriving in the country for Roto 4, he describes the initial activity and move to the forward operating base of Ma'Sum Ghar. As an armoured soldier with tanks, he was involved in combat-oriented operations throughout the local area alongside other mechanized and dismounted elements. On his second tour, Roto 8, there was no combat and he travelled around a lot more of the country. His duties as a crew commander were different from that of a tank driver; on Roto 4, he was caught in an IED blast which was the first to disable a tank in Canada's new inventory. He goes on to describe some of the advanced medical training he received prior and how his HLTA (home leave travel assistance) went during both tours. Upon returning from the first, he was very rapidly rotated out of the country and replacements were hastily put in his place. In the second tour, there was more time to train and prepare the next crew. Decompression, his return to Canada, and some frustration at how things went are covered. His motivation for returning to Afghanistan for a second tour and his shift in attitudes afterwards are the closing sections of the interview. It concludes with a reflection on how combat operations have changed and the views on combatants in this new war. 0:00 – 03:18 – Joining the reserves, description of trade, training with the unit 03:24 – 06:29 – Training with new equipment (tanks, LAV RWS) and regular force units 06:30 – 08:30 – Initial arrival, orientation, and FOB deployment (first tour) 08:31 – 11:06 – Experience as a tank driver, NSE experience as a crew commander 11:18 – 15:42 – Combat experience with the Leopard 2A6M, equipment discussion 15:57 – 17:51 – Areas covered during both tours, medical evacuation (Bagram) in 2010 17:57 – 21:49 – Being hit by an IED during first roto 21:50 – 25:11 – Advanced medical training, home leave travel assistance. 25:24 – 29:22 – Replacements during the first and second tour, LAV vehicle description 29:29 – 33:33 – Decompression, returning to Canada, readjustment/second tour 33:55 – 34:40 – Closing thoughts on the conflict, Interviewer: Conquist, Stefan, Rank: Corporal. Medals and Honours: General Campaign Star; Governor General's Commendation, and Interviewee: Clews, Stephen Raymond Rex, b. 1985
Keyword:: Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Battle Group TF 3-07 (Operation Athena Rotation 4), Basic training (Military education), Afghanistan--Politics and government--2001-, Air bases, American--Afghanistan, International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan), Nanuk (Remote Weapon Station), Tank warfare, Weapons systems, Clews, Stephen Raymond Rex, 1985- --Interviews, M151 Protector (Remote Weapon Station), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Reserves, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Wainwright, Alta.), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 2, Kandahar Airfield (Afghanistan), North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Ma'Sum Ghar (Afghanistan : Military base), Leopard 1 (Tank), Improvised explosive device, Afghan War, 2001- --Personal narratives, Canadian, Afghanistan--History--2001-, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Procurement, Afghanistan--Afghan National Police, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Royal Regiment, 22e--Battalion, 3rd, Afghanistan--Afghan National Army, Armored vehicles, Military, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Medical care, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Edmonton, Alta.), RG-31 Nyala (Armored personnel carrier), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry--Battalion, 1st, Operation Athena (2003-2005), Kandaha?r (Afghanistan : Province), Bagram Airfield (Afghanistan), Military bases--Afghanistan, War wounds, Afghan War, 2001- , Tanks (Military science), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Battle Group TF 3-09 (Operation Athena Rotation 8), Kandaha?r (Afghanistan), Armored personnel carriers, Canada--Canadian Army--Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Leaves and furloughs, Afghanistan National Security Forces, Leopard 2 (Tank), Military reconnaissance , Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 5, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--British Columbia Regiment, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 1, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--National Support Element--Force Protection Platoon, Civil-military relations--Afghanistan, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Shilo, Man.), and Afghan War, 2001- --Reconnaissance operations, Canadian
Subject:: Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Afghan War (2001-2021), Afghan Wars, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians), and Military history
Contributor:: Conquist, Stefan and Clews, Stephen Raymond Rex, b. 1985
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-24
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:: Afghanistan and Canada
Coordinates:: 33, 66 and 60.10867, -113.64258
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:: oral histories (literary genre), reminiscences, sound recordings, and interviews
Archival Item Identifier:: CS_708
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-24
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 22 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

628. Bissley, Giselle: my French Red Cross recollections (March 25, 2012)

Title:: Bissley, Giselle: my French Red Cross recollections (March 25, 2012)
Description:: ABSTRACT: At the outbreak of the Second World War Giselle Bissley volunteered as a nurse for the French Red Cross. She was trained mainly in battle field wounds and was one of the few French citizens allowed to travel freely between the Vichy and occupied zones. She was involved in evacuating children from France. She worked as a nurse for the First Special Service Force during the liberation of Southern France and later joined the regular French Army. 0:00 – 2:17 – Early work with the Red Cross 2:32 – 3:14 – Working with the Germans, Nazi hardliners vs. regular soldiers 3:14 – 5:00 – Work with Red Cross in Southern France, hopes for liberation 5:00 –12:00– Problems with the resistance, first meeting with FSSF, lack of food and potable water in France at the time, curfews 12:00 –17:50-First work with FSSF, first impressions, esprit de corps within the unit 17:50- 21:00 – Lasting friendships within the Force 21:00- 26:57- Vehement disagreement with the question of poor discipline in the last months of the force’s existence 26:57- 28:44- Disbandment of the force, the last supper 28:45 – 36: 45- Work with the American army, whirlwind wedding services, secret meeting in England, suspicions of being a German spy 36: 45 – 39:37- First Special Service reunions 39:37- 43:15- Meeting members of the force back in England 43:15- 46:23-Transfer from Red Cross to the French Army, work with the US Army 46:23- 50: 54- last description of the FSSF, conclusio, Interviewee: Bissley, Giselle, b. 1920, An interview/narrative of Giselle Bissley's experiences whilst serving with the French Red Cross. Interview took place on March 25, 2012., and Interviewer: Lundeberg, Faelan
Keyword:: World War, 1939-1945--France, Red Cross and Red Crescent, Women in war, Liaisons, Allied Forces--Special Service Force, 1st--Reunions, World War, 1939-1945--France--Red Cross, Allied Forces--Special Service Force, 1st--Canadian Special Service Battalion, 1st, Negotiation, Allied Forces--Special Service Force, 1st--Nurses, Jews--France, Prisoners of war--Germany, Evacuation of civilians, Castillon-du-Gard (France), Ambulance service, World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue--France, Nurses, France--History--German occupation, 1940-1945, World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--France--Normandy, Sospel (France), World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, Canadian, V-E Day, 1945, Allied Forces--Special Service Force, 1st, World War, 1939-1945--Armistices--France, Civil-military relations, Waffen-SS, World War, 1939-1945--Children--France, World War, 1939-1945--Evacuation of civilians--France, World War, 1939-1945--War work--Red Cross, France--Colonies--Africa, Marseille (France), World War, 1939-1945--Underground movements--France, Armistices, Military attache?s, World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Africa, North, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei--Schutzstaffel, Croix-Rouge franc?aise, Menton (France), Ambulance drivers, Prisoners of war--France, World War, 1939-1945--Medical care, Children and war, Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter-Partei, D-Day, 1944 (Normandy invasion), Jewish children in the Holocaust--France, Women spies, Soldiers, German, World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, Hidden children (Holocaust), Frederick, Robert Tryon, 1907-1970, Operation Dragoon, 1944, France--Politics and government--1940-1945, War wounds, and World War, 1939-1945--Atrocities--Germany
Subject:: Soldiers, Military history, World War (1939-1945), and Operation Overlord
Contributor:: Bissley, Giselle, b. 1920 and Bissley, Giselle
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-25
Rights Statement:: In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
License:: This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
Resource Type:: http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
Extent:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: England, France--Normandy, and France--Marseille
Coordinates:: 52.16045, -0.70312 and 49, 0
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, reminiscences, sound recordings, and oral histories (literary genre)
Archival Item Identifier:: BG_715
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-25
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 52 kbps and 22 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

629. Giesbrecht, John Albert: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 26, 2012)

Title:: Giesbrecht, John Albert: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 26, 2012)
Description:: An interview/narrative of Captain Al Giesbrecht's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. Interview took place on March 26, 2012., Interviewee: Giesbrecht, John Albert, b. 1953, ABSTRACT: Captain Giesbrecht talks about his deployment in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan as the Officer in Command of the Fusion Cell in TF 3-09 from October 2009 to April 2010. He discusses how his background in criminal intelligence with the RCMP helped him gather intelligence, mapping the infrastructure and complex relations of Afghans in Kandahar Province to create a database for NATO operations in the area. The type of work he was doing, usually called "White Situational Awareness," entailed that he document the social hierarchy and relationships of villages, gather financial, business, and property information on the major players within Afghan society. He worked in conjunction with CIDA, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and PRTs in the region with coordinating, debriefing, and collecting information in the area. 0:00 – 6:00 - Introduction; Training in Shilo, Manitoba and becoming OC of Fusion Cell. 6:00 - 10:00 - Basic job description: building a database with mapping; village structure. 10:00 - 17:00 - Local economy: Basic index; village markets; infrastructure projects. 17:00 - 19:00 - Working with NGOs: filling them in on situational location. 19:00 - 21:30 - Working with different CF bases; collecting intelligence; debriefing. 21:30 - 23:30 - Comparison of deployment with RCMP criminal intelligence job. 23:30 - 27:00 - Job description: daily schedule; living conditions/facilities; food. 27:00 - 28:00 - Christmas in Kandahar. 28:00 - 28:00 - Politics of picking when to take leave time. 29:00 - 31:00 - Security and security risks in and around Camp Nathan Smith. 31:00 - 34:00 - The diverse composition of his Situational Awareness Team. 34:00 - 35:20 - Working with US Liaison Officers; comradely; June handover to US. 35:20 - 37:00 - More Christmas day description. 37:00 - 38:00 - Local Muslim bemusement to Christmas celebration. 38:00 - 40:30 - CF's cultural advisors 40:30 - 45:00 - Which information is important and how to use it; village profiles; 45:00 - 47:00 - Training in winter in Shilo, Manitoba. 47:00 - 50:30 - IEDs: attacks and casualties; training; danger areas. 50:30 - 52:30 - Impression of the ANA and RCMP training them. 52:30 - 56:30 - Tribal life and complications of working with different tribes. 56:30 - 57:20 - Basic consumer price index. 57:20 - 1:00:00 - Agriculture in Southern Afghanistan: drugs and corruption. 1:00:00 - 1:04:36 - Conclusion: effective things; challenges; overall feeling., Interviewer: Balfour, Jimmy, and Rank: Captain. Medals and Honours: Afghanistan Campaign Star
Keyword:: Camp Nathan Smith (Afghanistan : Military base), Marijuana--Afghanistan, Tribes, Culture conflict, Afghan War, 2001- --Personal narratives, Canadian, Situational awareness, Afghanistan--History--2001-, Giesbrecht, John Albert, 1953- --Interviews, Kandaha?r (Afghanistan), Intelligence officers, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Recreation, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Leaves and furloughs, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 1, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Shilo, Man.), Multinational armed forces, Military intelligence, Non-governmental organizations, Social structure--Afghanistan, Drug traffic--Afghanistan, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry--Battalion, 1st, Integrated operations (Military science)., Race relations, Cultural intelligence, Taliban, Improvised explosive devices, Opium trade--Afghanistan, Afghan War, 2001- , Civil-military relations--Afghanistan, Ethnic relations--Political aspects, Ethnic conflict, Canada--Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Military occupation, Agriculture--Afghanistan, Kandahar Airfield (Afghanistan), Afghanistan--Afghan National Army, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Military life, Cultural awareness, Communications, Military, Panjwa?ii (Afghanistan : District), Afghan War 2001- --Military intelligence, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Operation Athena (2003-2005), Land mines, Canadian International Development Agency, Tactics, Afghanistan--Politics and government--2001-, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Translators, Afghanistan--Afghan National Police, Afghanistan National Security Forces, Liaison Officers--United States, Peacekeeping Forces, Canadian, Muslims--Afghanistan, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Commissariat, United States--Army, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 2, Christmas--Afghanistan, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Battle Group TF 3-09 (Operation Athena Rotation 8), Provincial Reconstruction Team, Royal Canadian Mounted Police--Personal narratives,Canadian, Domestic intelligence, Kandaha?r (Afghanistan : Province), and Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Barracks and quarters
Subject:: Afghan Wars, Military history, Afghan War (2001-2021), and Canada. Canadian Armed Forces
Contributor:: Giesbrecht, John Albert, b. 1953 and Balfour, Jimmy
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-26
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:: 1 sound recording (MP3)
Geographic Coverage:: Canada and United States
Coordinates:: 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:: oral histories (literary genre), reminiscences, sound recordings, and interviews
Archival Item Identifier:: GA_705
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-26
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 160 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.

630. Lerch, Slade Gestur John: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 26, 2012)

Title:: Lerch, Slade Gestur John: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 26, 2012)
Description:: An interview/narrative of Captain Slade Lerch's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. Interview took place on March 26, 2012., ABSTRACT: Captain Lerch talks about his third deployment in Afghanistan in Kandahar working at the Operational Coordination Centre Regional- Regional Control South HQ, located in the Joint Regional Afghan Army Center. He explains the complexities of ISAF structure in dealing with different organizations, like the US Army, the Canadian Forces, the Afghan Army, and the Afghan Police. Bridging the cultural differences, Lerch was an official Mentor to the Afghan Brigadier-General in charge of coordinating the Afghan response to the abundance of domestic problems happening in Afghanistan. He discusses the challenges and successes of his last deployment before a brief discussion on the trends of the war in Afghanistan. Recording 1 0:00 – 6:00 - Personal and deployment introduction. Break down of the ANSF. 6:00 - 10:30 - How he got his posting; Different roles of CF in Afghanistan. 10:30 - 15:00 - Command structure and being under US command. 15:00 - 17:00 - Difficulties of dealing with multiple organizations in a war zone. 17:00 - 28:00 - Location of JRAC; Friction between different Afghan Police units. 28:00 - 31:30 - Mentoring ANSF staff in the OCCR. 31:30 - 34:20 - The turmoil of selecting an Afghan to command the OCCR. 34:30 - 38:00 - Reflections on the successes of training and progress of ANSF. 38:00 - 43:00 - The problems, complications, and intricacies of being a mentor. 43:00 - 51:00 - Daily life description and Afghans using computers. 51:00 - 57:33 - Afghan treatment of foreigners and the importance of respect. Recording 2 0:00 - 4:00- Importance of respect and coalition forces dealing with Afghan demands. 4:00 - 11:00 - Training and working with American forces. 11:00 - 15:00 - Interpreters: importance of; politics. 15:00 - 18:00 - Civilians; security around Camp Lindsey and JRAC; interpreters. 18:00 - 20:00 - Coalition attitude to Canadians; living amenities at Camp Lindsey. 20:00 - 24:00 - ANA, ANP drug use and corruption. 24:00 - 29:00 - ANSF equipment, desertion; Improvement over deployment. 29:00 - 35:00 - Themes over deployments: Resurgence of the Taliban. 35:00 - 39:30 - Description of contact on second tour. 39:30 - 41:00 - IEDs: Trends, nature of. 41:00 - 43:00 - Brief summary of second tour. 43:00 - 44:00 - Afghan treatment of women in daily life. 44:00 - 51:00 - Opium farmers and PRTs; Validation Transition Teams; Summary., Rank: Captain. , Interviewee: Lerch, Slade Gestur John, b. 1969, and Interviewer: Balfour, Jimmy
Keyword:: Kabul (Afghanistan), Camp Lindsey (Afghanistan : Military base), Afghanistan--Politics and government--2001-, Kandahar Airfield (Afghanistan), Counterinsurgency, Women--Afghanistan, Afghanistan National Security Forces, Culture conflict, Multinational armed forces, Afghanistan--Afghan National Army, International Security Assistance Force (Afghanistan), Provincial Reconstruction Team, Drug traffic--Afghanistan, Lerch, Slade G. J. (Gestur John), 1969- --Interviews, Tactics, Kandaha?r (Afghanistan), Special forces (Military science), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Mentoring, Civil-military relations--Afghanistan, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Joint Task Force Two, Afghanistan--History--2001-, Mentoring, Taliban, Panjwa?ii (Afghanistan : District), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry--Battalion, 3rd, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team, Translators, Afghanistan--Afghan National Police, Improvised explosive devices, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Soldiers--Recreation, Afghan War, 2001- --Personal narratives, Canadian, Integrated operations (Military science)., and Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Barracks and quarters
Subject:: Soldiers, Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Afghan Wars, Afghan War (2001-2021), and Military history
Contributor:: Lerch, Slade Gestur John, b. 1969 and Balfour, Jimmy
Language:: eng
Date Created:: 2012-03-26
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:: Canada and Afghanistan
Coordinates:: 33, 66 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:: oral histories (literary genre), sound recordings, interviews, and reminiscences
Archival Item Identifier:: LS_706
Fonds Title:: Military oral history collection
Fonds Identifier:: SC141
Is_referenced_by:: Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
Date Digitized:: 2012-03-26
Technical Note:: Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 160 kbps and 44 kHz. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. Migration metadata by KD and MT.