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)
631. Paquet, Charles Pierre: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 27, 2012)
- Title:
- Paquet, Charles Pierre: my Canadian Forces recollections (March 27, 2012)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Conquist, Stefan, An interview/narrative of Bombardier Charles Paquet's experiences whilst serving with the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan. Interview took place on March 27, 2012., Rank: Bombardier. Medals and Honours: General Campaign Star, ABSTRACT: Charles Paquet, a Reservist with the rank of Bombardier, joined the 5th Field Regiment in 2007 and volunteered in 2009 for OP ATHENA ROTO 10 (tour date Nov 2010 – Jun 2011). He performed workup training as part of the TAC P (tactical air control party) in a French-Canadian battlegroup headed by the Royal 22e Regiment. His task was to maintain a variety of technical devices used to coordinate and designate air strikes by fixed-wing and rotorcraft in-country. His training, with the 1st Battalion, was conducted largely in Valcartier but also included field time in Wainwright. Paquet was deployed to KAF and immediately moved to FOB Zangabad in the west of Kandahar's Panjwayi district. Mounted in Coyote armored vehicles, he assisted the battlegroup as part of the FOO (Forward Observation Officer) and FAC (Forward Air Controller) team during combat with the enemy. He describes the air attacks from various allied aircraft, largely American, and later covers other kinds of assets such as unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters. Part way through the tour, Paquet took his HLTA leave to France. Afterwards, building new paved infrastructure in Kandahar is discussed. There's also a review of the workup training compared to the actual operations. After further discussion of fire support assets – fast aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and artillery – Paquet talks about the handover to American forces at the end of his tour. Decompression was in Cyprus and he returned home to Victoria, Canada, in 2011. 0:42 – 02:04 – Becoming a reservist, description of artillery, training with 5th Fd Regt. 02:15 – 05:04 – Predeployment training with R22e regiment in Alberta and Quebec 05:09 – 06:37 – Description of duties as a TAC P (Tactical Air Control Party) 06:44 – 09:50 – Landing in KAF, initial deployment, activities as part of the Battlegroup 09:57 – 13:55 – Working with American allied air assets, TAC P equipment 14:04 – 15:08 – Home Leave Travel Assistance in France, length of tour 15:09 – 17:08 – Repaving Route Hyena to PBSG, workup training review 17:26 – 20:00 – Allied fixed-wing aircraft in theatre 20:16 – 26:43 – Operations with the forward observation party, helicopters/UAVs 26:55 – 29:01 – Handover to the Americans, departure from Kandahar, decompression 29:03 – 30:55 – Return to Canada, and Interviewee: Paquet, Charles Pierre, b. 1991
- Keyword:
- Operation Enduring Freedom, 2001-, Multinational armed forces, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Field Regiment, 5th, Military engineering, Operation Athena (2003-2011), Taliban, Basic training (Military education), Military helicopters, Drone aircraft, Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Valcartier, Que?bec), Paquet, Charles Pierre, 1991- -- Interviews, Civil-military relations--Afghanistan, Operational readiness (Military science), Military education, Bombing, Aerial, Communications, Military, Afghan War, 2001- --Aerial operations, Canadian, Operation Archer (2005-), Coyote (Armored military vehicle), United States--Army, Combat--Psychological aspects, Afghanistan--Politics and government--2001-, Kandaha?r (Afghanistan), Route Hyena (Afghanistan : Panjwaii (District)), United States--Combined Joint Task Force-82, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Battle Group TF 3-10 (Operation Athena Rotation 10), Soldiers--Recreation, United States--Air Force, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Personal narratives, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Equipment, Chinook (Military transport helicopter), Panjwa?ii (Afghanistan : District), Tanks (Military science), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Operational readiness, Kandahar Airfield (Afghanistan), Afghan War, 2001- --Personal narratives, Canadian, Zangabad (Afghanistan : Forward Operating Base), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Leaves and furloughs, Afghanistan--History--2001-, Kandaha?r (Afghanistan : Province), Canada--Canadian Forces Base (Wainwright, Alta.), Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Reserves, Afghan War, 2001- --Reconnaissance operations, Canadian, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, Afghanistan--Roads--Design and construction, Improvised explosive device, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, Canada--Canadian Armed Forces--Royal Regiment, 22e--Battalion, 1st, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Airplanes, Military, Tank warfare , and Combat
- Subject:
- Afghan War (2001-2021), Canada. Canadian Armed Forces, Soldiers, United States. Air Force, and Military history
- Contributor:
- Paquet, Charles Pierre, b. 1991 and Conquist, Stefan
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2012-03-27
- 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 (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, reminiscences, and oral histories (literary genre)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- PC_710
- 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:
- 2012-03-27
- 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.
632. Chalmers, Peggy: my British Intelligence recollections (January 14, 2013)
- Title:
- Chalmers, Peggy: my British Intelligence recollections (January 14, 2013)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Peggy Chalmers's experiences during World War II. Chalmers served with British Intelligence. Interview took place on January 14, 2013., Interviewer: Stewart, Meghan, Interviewee: Chalmers, Marguerite Agnes, and ABSTRACT: Mrs. Chalmers was hired in 1940 to work under William Stephenson, aka "A Man Called Intrepid". She worked in the office in Rockefeller Center, New York which was responsible for the decoding and re-encoding of all the messages that were coming from overseas. Her specific duties included monitoring and graphing how many messages came in on each shift. Working in shift work, Mrs. Chalmers was also able to experience New York at the time, and gives an in-depth picture of what it was like to work and socialize in New York at this time. 00:00-04:49 - Background and how Mrs. Chalmers ended up working in New York 04:49-11:01 - Secrecy 11:01-16:14 -Working in the office and finding out after the War 16:14-24:24 - Social Life 24:24-27:34 - Impressions of William Stephenson and the post-War 27:34-40:28 - Social Life, getting married, the security risk of being married 40:28-43:03 - Being in New York at the end of the War, Pearl Harbour 43:03-48:36 - Other women in the office, the post-War return to Canada 48:36-50:37 - Signing the release form/discussion of archival material
- Subject:
- Military history, World War (1939-1945), World War (1914-1918), and Personal narratives--Canadian
- Contributor:
- Stewart, Meghan and Chalmers, Marguerite Agnes
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2013-01-14
- 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:
- New York (State)--New York
- Coordinates:
- 40.71427, -74.00597
- 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, oral histories (literary genre), and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- CP_770
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-08-04
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
633. Gerrard, Horace: my Second World War recollections (February 1, 2013)
- Title:
- Gerrard, Horace: my Second World War recollections (February 1, 2013)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Stewart, Meghan, An interview/narrative of Horace Gerrard's experiences during World War II. Interview took place on February 1, 2013., ABSTRACT: No summary available., and Interviewee: Gerrad, Horace
- Subject:
- World War (1939-1945), Personal narratives--Canadian, World War (1914-1918), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Stewart, Meghan and Gerrad, Horace
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2013-02-01
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Canada
- Coordinates:
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original 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, oral histories (literary genre), and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- GH_771
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-08-10
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
634. Crober, Francis Paul: my United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus recollections (March 8, 2013)
- Title:
- Crober, Francis Paul: my United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus recollections (March 8, 2013)
- Description:
- ABSTRACT: Colonel Paul Crober describes his experiences in Cyprus as an Infantry Transport Officer in Cyprus in 1974/1975. He begins with his family history and explains his training and education in various places. He had gone over to Cyprus with training as a lieutenant in armored and received a different job that he was trained for. He details the different brigades and platoons and what certain jobs entailed. He explains the need for peacekeepers to be combat ready through a variety of situations and events that took place in Cyprus. He details the events of the February 1975 Nicosia Airport conflict. He also speaks about his time in Bosnia and its relations to Cyprus. He ends with an evaluation of the Cyprus Peacekeeping mission and other UN missions. 00.00-01.26: Introduction and Family Background 01.26-02.04: Education and Cadets 02.04-02.41: Family in World War Two and the Military 02.41-03.52: Joining the Reserve 03.53-04.17: Royal Roads and Education 04.17-04.39: Meeting his future wife 04.39-05.18: Mother's side of the family 05.18-06.50: Father's side of the family 06.50-08.36: Education and Choosing the Army/Armored 08.36-10.38: Brigades 10.38-12.42: Armed Forces Downsized 12.42-17.38: Places Served and Education/Training 17.38-18.06: Joining the Regiment in 1974 18.06-20.18: Being Told about Cyprus 20.18-21.50: Finn's being strafed 21.50-22.55: Importance of being a soldier 22.55-28.19: Background of 1974 Invasion and History 28.19-32.45: Infantry Transport Officer for the Battalion 32.45-35.01: Explanation of the Situation in Cyprus and Preparation 35.01-36.33: Initial Thoughts on Cyprus and Greetings 36.33-42.06-: Setting up Camp and Different Contingents 42.06-43.24: Turkish Side of Cyprus vs Greek Side of Cyprus 43.24-43.54: Relations with Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots 43.54-44.19: Lieutenants crossing the Green Line 44.19-44.37: Omar the Tentmaker 44.37-45.14: Women having to cover their heads 45.14-45.54: Incident in Bosnia 45.54-46.20: Contact with the Turks 46.20-47.02: Solidifying the Green Line 47.02-47.56: Relations with the locals, meeting at Ledra Palace Hotel 47.56-48.43: Most important duty as platoon commander 48.43-49.21: Playing Highland Laddie 49.21-50.50: Duties, looking after the transport platoon, providing aid 50.50-52.02: Rules of Engagement and Bosnia 52.02-54.13: Preventing violence between the two sides 54.13-55.42: Losing Captain Patton during a firefight 55.42-57.04: Mitigating Violence and Captain Patton 57.04-57.35: Ledra Palace Hotel 57.35-59.42: Training in Canada while Invasion of 1974 was ongoing/ Serge Labbe 59.42-1.06.13.: Events at Nicosia International Airport (February 1975) 1.06.13-1.07.22: Bosnia and Importance of Combat Training 1.07.22-1.09.00: The Green Line, Patrolling, Outposts 1.09.00-1.12.18: Success of the Mandate, other mandates in Croatia and Bosnia 1.12.18-1.13.21: Experience in Bosnia and Comparison to Cyprus 1.13.21-1.17.17: Evaluation of Peacekeeping Mission and Canadian Participation 1.17.17-1.17.54: Evaluation of Training Received 1.17.54-1.32.23: Conclusion and End of Career Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 18.06-20.18: Being told at a mall about the situation in Cyprus and finding out that he would later be going over to Cyprus. 20.18-22.55: The Finns had used the box of a dump truck to hide under when being strafed and this caused them multiple losses. Colonel Paul Crober stresses the importance of having combat training. 59.42-1.06.13: Events at the Nicosia International Airport in February 1975. The Turks had prepared to take the airport and a UN battalion was assembled to defend it. The Chief of Staff Canadian Colonel Beattie explained to the Turks that they would not stand down. This clip details the contingents that were present at the airport. It details the hostilities between the two sides and showing a show of force. Highlights importance of military training. 1.13.21-1.17.17: Evaluating the peacekeeping mission in Cyprus and debating about the amount of time that a country should stay in and help. Explains how the mission was successful but that Canada should not have stayed in Cyprus for so long., Interviewee: Crober, Francis Paul, 1951-, An interview/narrative of Paul Crober's experiences whilst serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. Interview took place on March 8, 2013., Interviewer: Dunn, Kymberly, and Rank: Colonel.
- Subject:
- United Nations, Military cadets, Military history, United Nations. Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus, and Armed Forces--Officers
- Contributor:
- Dunn, Kymberly and Crober, Francis Paul, 1951-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2013-03-08
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Coordinates:
- 44.25, 17.83333
- 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), sound recordings, reminiscences, and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- CP_776
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-03-08
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
635. Mills, William: my Royal Canadian Air Force recollections (March 8, 2013)
- Title:
- Mills, William: my Royal Canadian Air Force recollections (March 8, 2013)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Bill James's experiences whilst serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on March 8, 2013., Rank: Flight Officer. Medals and Honours: Canadian Forces Decoration; NATO Medal, Interviewee: Mills, William James, 1934-, ABSTRACT: 0-3.08 Born on the 20th of November, 1934 in Winnipeg to James Mills from Warsaw England, and Olive Mildred Mills from Manitoba. Had an older brother, Keith, an older sister, Donna, and a younger brother, David; both brothers have since died. Father had a job during the Great Depression, they were not well off, but had a job as a clerk while many people were unemployed. 3.08-5.05 Married 3 times. The first, a woman in Denmark (1957), they had four children together, one died due to heart issues at age 2, the others are still alive. The second marriage was an English woman (1991), and the third was in Victoria, BC; all resulted in divorce. 5.05-8.38 Went to school in Winnipeg until the end of grade 11 when he joined the RCAF (1952). Keith was a navigator for the Air Force; Bill had applied to the military and air force, but got the air force acceptance letter first. Was trained in London, Ontario then officer selection school where recruits were divided into navigators, pilots, and radio officers. He became a flight cadet and went to Calgary to do basic flight training. Was posted in Winnipeg. 8.39-11.21 Went to France in 1955 as they needed people to fly Sabers. There was great comradeship with the other pilots regardless of ethnicity, all working to the same end. Tells about the importance of Sabers, which were Canadian made. Was in France for 3 years, got married for the first time to a nurse from Denmark, had son Cameron (in October) after returning to Canada in September, 1958. 11.22-13.28 Was going to become a doctor, one-up his nurse wife. 1961 he joined the Auxiliary force, sailing beach craft. RAF was in need of pilots, joined that for 5 years as a lieutenant (1961-65). He liked flying, but was not a fighter, did not want to go to war. 13.29-15.12 His son Kevin at age 2 was taken to Hammersmith hospital and died due to a heart defect and had unsuccessful open heart surgery. 15.13-17.34 Family returned to Edmonton, and Bill went to fly in the Antarctic for 20months flying a single engine Otter for the RAF. Base was Deception island, which was volcanic and exploded 5 years after he had left. 17.35-18.28 Returned to Canada flew the Otter commercially during the summer and went to university (1966-67). 18.29-24.44 In 1967 he joined the Reserve in Edmonton, the 418 Squadron (this was the most decorated squadron from the war). He was a member of the Auxiliary until 1975. Bill went on to teach after finishing university for two years, teaching at Alberta College in Edmonton for adults. Wrote the LSAT, took a semester of law and hated it. Got a job as a payroll clerk for the Federal government, promoted to the Department of Supply and Services auditor. Describes going back to the room where all the computers were (the room we were sitting in was approximately 11 feet by 9 feet). Worked in personnel for a few years, internal auditor for other offices. Went back to school and got his MBa to continue auditing and worked there until 1991. He was very involved in his work when changes began to happen to the Reserves (1975) so he left. Reserves had been Wednesday night, weekend day(s), and two weeks of summer camp. These days would be flying practice, catching up with the other Reservists, and practicing routines. 24.45-27.55 Summer camp at Tofino in 1973: the British SAS (Special Air Services), among the best trained guys in the world were to be dropped on the island and capture the air base from the Reservists. However, the SAS was defeated by the terrain. Other Reservists were Regular Military, mostly post-war, few war-time men, but not many. Anecdotal story about Bener, a Turkish Reservist struggling to land his Saber with a fire in the turbine. 27.56-36.39 Photos of his squadrons, fellow Air Force men, and planes, etc. 36.40-40.03 Tells a story about being a young looking lieutenant as he was immediately promoted, met Bill Shakespeare who was of the same rank and much older. Little more discussion on training and the planes he was flying. 40.04-41.28 Did not get a permanent position as he never took the Air Force too seriously. After WWII there were not many pilots needed, beginning of the Cold War meant more demand. 41.29-end Tells of nicknames for some of the other pilots, he never had one. Then about the Reservists duty to be a search and rescue force. George Hickson (also interviewed), and a man, Beedy were flying Otters in the North. American fighters are also going there, one loses an engine and falls, George is right there, having heard about it on the radio. Bailed the man who had only just fallen, returns to the base, Americans were quite impressed with the Canadian Air Force. Another search and rescue mission had them find a man frozen solid outside of his plane, struggled to get him into the rescue aircraft. Final comments and release form signing., and Interviewer: Noon, Cheryl
- Subject:
- Cold War (1945-1989), Operation Overlord, Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, and Military history
- Contributor:
- Mills, William James, 1934- and Noon, Cheryl
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2013-03-08
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- British Columbia--Victoria and England
- Coordinates:
- 52.16045, -0.70312 and 48.4359, -123.35155
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recordings (MOV) 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:
- MW_792
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-04-19
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
636. Spratt, Richard: my Air Force recollections (March 9, 2013)
- Title:
- Spratt, Richard: my Air Force recollections (March 9, 2013)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Richard Spratt's experiences whilst serving with the Air Force. Interview took place on March 9, 2013., ABSTRACT: Richard describes growing up in Manotick, Ontario with his family, his education and employment before enlistment. He enlisted at the age of eighteen in Toronto on March 1, 1949. His starting rank was a flight cadet and he finished as a flight officer. He had never been in an airplane before enlistment and was exhilarated by the experience. His first missions were surveying the land all the way up to the Arctic. Soon after, Richard was told to report to Montreal and became a part of the 426 squadron in the Korean Air Lift. He flew US combat troops into the Korean War zone and experienced flying wounded troops back to North America. He retired from the air force in March 1955 and gained employment with Bristol Aircraft as a test pilot for a year. Richard then gained employment with Canadian Pacific and worked with the airline from 1956 to 1986. He worked with many people who came from the air force at Canadian Pacific. After Canadian Pacific sold their fleet of 747s, Richard gained employment with Singapore airlines. He worked with this airline from 1986 to 1991 and was forced to retire at this point because he reached the age of sixty. He was able to see many aspects of the world through his career as a commercial pilot. Richard and his wife retired to Vancouver and eventually moved to Vancouver Island. 00:24-03:30 - Biographical information, family life, education 03:31-05:00 - Motivations to enlist in the air force 05:00-10:10 - enlistment, types of planes flown, training 10:11-12:10 - Discussion of shortages of cadets, previous skills that applied to training 12:11-19:18 - Treatment of cadets, how enlistment affected family life, relationship with superiors and instructors 19:19-27:40 - Impression of aircraft, death of his brother, relationships with other cadets 27:41-33:00 - Survey flying, joined the 426 squadron in the Korean Air Lift 33:01-48:00 - Carrying US combat troops to Korea, near-death experience, injured soldier with amputated feet 48:01-52:16 - Experiences carrying wounded troops, frequency of flying 52:17-55:03 - Medals obtained from air force 55:04-1:05:06 - Retirement from the air force, employment with Bristol aircraft,employment with Canadian Pacific, eclipse flight 1:05:07-1:19:38 - Types of planes flown with CP, left CP in 1986, joined Singapore airlines 1:19:39-1:32:40 - Influence of military career on post-military career, retirement from Singapore airlines, retirement plans, moved to Vancouver Island Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 56:12-57:00 - Eclipse Flight, Interviewee: Spratt, Richard, 1931-, and Interviewer: Hayward, Madi
- Subject:
- Military cadets, Korean War (1950-1953), and Military history
- Contributor:
- Hayward, Madi and Spratt, Richard, 1931-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2013-03-09
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Québec--Montréal
- Coordinates:
- 45.50884, -73.58781
- 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:
- SR_783
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-04-07
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
637. Edwards, Murray: my United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus recollections (March 12, 2013)
- Title:
- Edwards, Murray: my United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus recollections (March 12, 2013)
- Description:
- Interviewer: Dunn, Kymberly, ABSTRACT: Major Murray Edwards' experience in Cyprus during 1964 as first a watch-keeper and then an Economic Welfare Officer. Given literally overnight notice, he left to Cyprus as part of the first contingent. He began as a watch keeper in Cyprus and was later notified that he would be the economic welfare officer for the region. He negotiated between the two sides, Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriots. He was in charge of bringing aid to both sides. He details his experiences in trying to negotiate between the two sides and the difficulties that it brought. At the end he evaluates the success of the peacekeeping mission. 00.00-03.06: Introduction of the Cyprus conflict 03.06-03:58: Events Christmas Eve 1963 03.58-04.47: Establishment of the UN Force 04.47-05.49: Turkish Invasion and Results (Turks as a Stateless People) 05.49-06.24: Preparation for Cyprus 06.24-07.13: Canadian control of the Nicosia Area 07.13-07.31: Duty as a watchkeeper 07.31-09.41: The Van Doos finding a Turkish body and negotiating a burial 09.41-10.37: Turkish Villages being fired on for receiving supplies 10.37-13.09: Becoming Economic Welfare Officer for the Island 13.09-13.56: An Irishman making a joke 13.56-14.45: Description of some of the duties as Economic Welfare Officer 14.45-17.36: Arranging aid for a Turkish Village 17.36-18.38: Negotiations and Greek feelings 18.38-19.33: Locating artillery on a Greek farm, getting fired on, making peace 19.33-21.40: Outbreak of anthrax, getting a vaccination for a Turkish village surrounded by Greek control 21.40-22.12: Frustration between the Greeks and Turks 22.12-23.21: Greeks and Turks insulting each other, conflict and apologies 23.21-24.02: Dealing with tension and hostilities 24.02-24.52: Duties of negotiation, working alone, building up contacts. 24.53-26.01: General Tedlie's sense of humor when diffusing Turkish demonstrations 26.01-26.47: Preparedness for Economic Welfare Officer 26.47-27.24: Tragedy of the two sides being unable to communicate 27.24-28.28: Relations with the Greeks and the Turks 28.28-29.01: Necessary Aid to the Turks 29.01-30.09: Generation divide 30.09-31.10: Displaced persons 31.10-32.03: Leisure time 32.03-32.20: Full time job as Economic Welfare Officer 32.20-33.33: Cosmopolitan Headquarters and relations 33.33-33.53: Importance of duties 33.53-35.07: Extension requested by New York, Ottawa declined, reasoning explained 35.07-36.10: Replacement arrival, unable to train before abrupt departure 36.10-38.38: A Major goes missing 38.38-39.04: Violence against the peacekeepers 39.04-39.45: Ending thoughts on Cyprus at the time 39.45-41.03: Explanation of situation in Cyprus at the beginning 41.03-41.12: Peacekeeping Training or lack thereof 41.12-41.53: Evaluation of Cyprus mission 41.53-42.25: Canadian participation 42.25-42.48: Success of negotiations 42.48-48.17: Conclusion and Final thoughts Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 7.31-9.41: The Van Doo's went out and found a decomposing body that was identified as Turkish. Negotiations had to be arranged with the Greeks on burying the body. The Greeks covered the body with dirt which meant it could not be moved for 7 years. Major Edwards negotiated the removal of the body. CBC asked for permission to go with the ambulance, they were told not to, went anyway, and were fired on. 18.38-19.33: They had been searching for artillery on a farm with the aid of the RAF. The fanner decided to fire on them and when he realized what he had done he apologized profusely. In return he gave them fresh fruit. One of the medical officer sshowed the men how to get alcohol into the fruit. 24.53-26.01: General Tedlie had to diffuse a demonstration of young Turks. He showed up with everything they had and it turned out to be a bunch of Turkish women. He decided to wave a white flag and surrender, his humor diffused the situation. 36.10-38.38: A Major went missing. A tobacco seller had been ambushed, murdered and had all his money and cigarettes taken. This British major had the job of finding out who had done it. He went for lunch with Major Edwards, told them that he knew who did it but left his notes at home. Later the British Major went missing and they found him murdered. The murderers were found after because of some of the evidence left behind., Interviewee: Edwards, Murray Campbell, 1920-, An interview/narrative of Murray Edwards's whilst serving with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus. Interview took place on March 12, 2013., and Rank: Major.
- Subject:
- Cyprus Crisis (Cyprus : 1963), Military history, United Nations. Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus, and United Nations
- Contributor:
- Dunn, Kymberly and Edwards, Murray Campbell, 1920-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2013-03-12
- 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
- Coordinates:
- 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, oral histories (literary genre), and interviews
- Archival Item Identifier:
- EM_777
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-03-12
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
638. Cline, Willis: my Air Force recollections (March 13, 2013)
- Title:
- Cline, Willis: my Air Force recollections (March 13, 2013)
- Description:
- An interview/narrative of Willis Cline's experiences whilst serving with the Air Force. Interview took place on March 13, 2013., ABSTRACT: Willis grew up in Zelma, Saskatchewan and enlisted in the air force on April 6, 1951 in Hamilton, Ontario. He began as a flight cadet and finished as a flight officer. Part of his time in the air force he trained navigation students from the base in Winnipeg. He performed service flights from Montreal to Vancouver and Montreal to Resolute Bay. He retired from the air force in July 1956. He was twenty four years old when he left the air force and joined a civilian career with Trans-Canada Airlines. He explains the differences between flying in the air force and flying commercially and that some could not adapt to the idea of not being in command in the airlines. Willis was a co-pilot for TCA for thirteen years before he became captain and flew many different planes throughout his civilian career with the airline. He mainly flew passengers but had experience flying cargo to France and the Caribbean. In 1988, Willis was grounded because of heart problems but did not retire from TCA until 1991. He moved to Victoria after he retired from the airlines and joined the Victoria Flying Club for a few years. 00:23-01:33 - Biographical information, family life, life before enlistment 01:34-02:46 - Motivations to join the air force 02:47-06:56 - Enlisting with the air force, starting rank and responsibilities, flying experience 06:57-09:06 - Discussion of cadets, previous skills, how many people on the base 09:06-13:28 - The treatment of cadets, making friends in the air force, how enlistment affected his family life, relationship with superiors, transition from cadet to officer 13:29-17:00 - Types of planes flown, first missions, working with navigation students 17:01-20:52 - Communications, technical difficulties 20:53-29:22 - Service flights, flying to Hanoi, description of plane becoming stuck in snow bank at Resolute Bay 29:23-38:00 - Retirement from the air force, employment with TCA, difference between air force and civilian flying, types of planes flown at TCA 38:01-47:54 - Flying horse meat to France, flying cargo to Caribbean, grounded because of heart problems 47:55-1:00:30 - Similarities and differences between air force and civilian flying, bomb threat, retirement flying, Interviewee: Cline, Willis, 1932-, and Interviewer: Hayward, Madi
- Subject:
- Military cadets, Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, Airplanes, Military, and Military history
- Contributor:
- Cline, Willis, 1932- and Hayward, Madi
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2013-03-13
- Rights Statement:
- In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
- License:
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Sound
- Extent:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- Geographic Coverage:
- Québec--Montréal, British Columbia--Victoria, and Ontario--Hamilton
- Coordinates:
- 43.25011, -79.84963, 45.50884, -73.58781, and 48.4359, -123.35155
- 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, sound recordings, oral histories (literary genre), and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- CW_781
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-04-07
- Technical Note:
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 128 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
639. Edwards, Murray: my Korean War recollections (March 13, 2013)
- Title:
- Edwards, Murray: my Korean War recollections (March 13, 2013)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Edwards, Murray Campbell, 1920-, Interviewer: Fish, Cameron, Rank: Major. , ABSTRACT: Family background; father's service in World War I in Canadian Railway Forestry Corps. Maj. Edward's birth. (00:56-4:02). World War II: Pearl Harbor 1941. Elder brothers drafted, Maj. Edwards classified 4C (Friendly Alien) as a result of his birth in England. Waited for call up, which never arrived. Took train to Toronto and enlisted in Queen's Own Rifles. Promoted to corporal, became assistant instructor at Officer Refresher School. Selected for Officer Training and returned to Canada. Served remainder of war as an instructor in various schools. Frustrated by continual postings in rear echelons, and wanted experience in combat. (4:04-7:35) Post-war: Immediately joined reserves, served as 'call-out' instructor during summer months. Discussed downsizing of army after war, and mandate of active force. Enrolled in job training course with Toronto Post Office. New post master forbid further call outs, so Maj. Edwards quit. Korea came along conveniently soon after. Considered joining Active Force (regular army) but was told he would only be allowed the rank of corporal. Decided to join American armed forces, but Korea allowed him an opportunity to remain with Canadians. (7:35-11:07) Outbreak of Korean War: Big news in Canada. Joins Canadian Army Special Force in August, anticipating a tour in Korea. Worked at No. 6 Personnel Depot at witnessed influx of incoming volunteers. Noted that most of the incoming privates were 'off the street'. Many turned away for physical deficiencies. Believes figure of discharges after enlistment is greatly exaggerated during training in both Canada and Korea. Comments on antagonistic relationship between Special and Active Force (2nd and 1st Battalions). Believes 1st Battalion sent poorest soldiers as replacements for 2nd Battalion in Korea. Decided to join Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry instead of Royal Canadian Regiment because of 'spit and polish' mentality in RCR. Also wanted to serve under Lt.-Col. Jim Stone (PPCLI CO). Opinion on Jim Stone: excellent and brave soldier/tactician, poor leader in some cases. Prevented Canadians from moving up to the line immediately after arriving Korea, but refused to award decorations. (11:07-19:54) Training: Feels that those men who were not discharged on physical grounds responded very well to training, and that this is reflected in their record in Korea. Believes unit cohesion on multiple levels (company, battalion) was most important aspect of training. Believes men received good training in basic skills like small arms handling and small unit tactics like patrolling. Received little training in combined arms (artillery, armour), but that this was not a hindrance as a result of the World War II experience of the officers. Comments on differences in terrain between Italy/Western Europe and Korea. Very shear valleys and hills in Korea. (19:54-23:59) Deployment: Conditions aboard troopship USS Pvt. Joe Martinez: cramped. Americans made poor traveling companions (called-up reservists as opposed to Canadian volunteers) Indoctrination on Korea: excellent. Both Chaplains had experience in Asia as missionaries in China and North Korea. Lectures given on ship concerning Korean people, culture, etc. News of Chinese offensive 1951, massive jump in moral. Previously anticipated occupation duties, now heading for full-blown war. No surprises in Korea concerning culture or conditions, but surprised to find reporters and film makers on making land. Moved up to Miryang, estimated that no more than ten troops were sent home as 'non-battle casualties' from there (official history places number at 60). (23:59-29:07) Equipment (Weapons): Lee-Enfield: Canadian pattern incorporated smaller channel for bolt, and could thus be stuck up by dirt. Sten Gun: British magazine incorporate reliable leaf springs. Canadian magazines used coil spring which could bind if the magazines were kept loaded. When Maj. Edwards became Quarter Master 2PPCLI, he traded Gin for M1 Carbines to replace the Sten Guns. He felt that Canada should have issued troops with semi-automatic rifle because there was ample time to maintain them, but not M1 Garands because they were too bulky. Doesn't buy that argument that ammunition would have been expended too quickly with a semi-automatic. Believes the Bren gun was an absolutely excellent weapon and that it served very well in Korea. Later on in his career, Maj. Edwards served in User Trial Section which tested new equipment for the military. He felt Bren was still a superior weapon at those trials. Also feels that the 2 inch mortar which was replaced with American 60mm mortar was superior as a result of its simplicity, but acknowledges that the 60mm which replaced it possessed superior range and firepower despite its complexity. (29:07- 39:24) Equipment (Other): Difference in philosophy between British and American equipment: In general, American equipment was intricate, fragile and difficult to use, but its end result was superior. Conversely, British equipment tended to be simple and easy to use, if not always as capable. Illustrates this point with comparison of American and British field cooking methods. Winter in Korea was very damp and cold. Winter gear not bad. 1937 pattern combat webbing was poor. It could not be easily adjusted or discarded, and lacked provision to carry grenades and magazines. Later during 1960s User Trial Section service, new webbing was introduced which was inferior even to 1937 pattern. Helmets were only worn during bombardments. (39:24-45:09) The Move to the Front and First Engagements: 2PPCLI encountered American corpses en route to front from Miryang, they had been massacred because they had established a poor defensive position and failed to post sufficient sentries. The Chinese silently killed the sentries, and unable to escape from their sleeping bags, the Americans were bayoneted or else ambushed as they fled. Bill Boss, a Canadian war correspondent with 2PPCLI broke the story which had been downplayed by the Americans. (45:09-48:26) First Actions: While moving up to join 27th British Brigade at a resting position, Major Edward's Baker Company was ordered (perhaps volunteered by Stone) to lead advance and reestablish contact with the Chinese. Moving along a thin ridgeline, Edward's company began taking fire from a Chinese MG. Unable to radio the Liley, company commander as a result of incorrect batteries, Edwards was forced to run back to warn the company commander. Who consolidated the company Bren guns to provide covering fire. Advancing under towards the first MG, Edward's began taking fire from a second MG on another ridge which had been reported clear. Additionally, the company's Brens began firing on Edwards' men. Edwards was forced to withdraw. Shortly afterward Edwards became quartermaster. Expressed admiration for the fighting abilities of the Chinese. Felt they were incredibly brave, and excellent at encirclement and infiltration. (48:26-56:38) Kapyong: Commentary on merits of the respective Australian and Canadian positions. Emphasis on Austrian withdrawal rather than retreat. (backtracking) 17 March alcohol poisoning incident. Death of several young troops after being encouraged to ingest 'canned heat' by a senior enlisted man. Parading dead bodies in front of battalion, enlisted man disciplined. (further backtracking) account of soldier named Blank and another who had gone with some Middlesex regiment troops to a nearby village. Blank raped the women, and tossed a grenade into the hut, wounding or killing all Koreans present. Both Canadian troops served relatively short sentences, were released on technicalities and allowed to collect back pay while remaining in army. (back to Kapyong) Explanation for retreating ROK troops at 38th parallel. Remembering the night of the 23rd when the Australians were attacked. Moral among Patricia's waiting for Chinese attack: very confident. Maj. Edwards role in battle: present at HQ with Stone, listening to radio. Remembers Stone being very cool, but emphasizes the importance of the leadership at the lower levels during the actual engagement. Remembering Mike Levy; platoon commander in Dog Company under Captain Mills. Levy responsible for calling in artillery on his own position, but Captain Mills received citation, despite Levy's initiative. This was the result of Stone's refusal to award medals. (56:38-1:11:49) Medals and the Front: Allocation of medals during Korea: almost none for 2PPCLI. Had effects on moral and post war careers of Canadian troops who had served in 2PPCLI. He expresses respect for the Korean Service Corps porters but remembers them as very stoic, and very capable, but mostly silent. Edwards believes remaining occupied at the front was not difficult; in addition to R+R in Japan, there was usually too much to do at the front for boredom. On Ottawa's reluctance to allow 2PPCLI to wear Presidential Unit Citation, Edward's chalks it up to a dislike of anything foreign in Ottawa. He recalls the Korean Service Medal which took 43 years to be issued. Edwards was amused to be addressed as 'Dear Friend' upon receipt. Edwards next describes procedure for bringing wounded back from front. He displays admiration for Indian 60th Field Hospital who provided medical aid; remembering them as being highly trained and always willing to set up camp near the front. Next he gives an anecdote concerning ammunition delivery after Kapyong. A truck driver Edwards was directing misread his map and drove right up to Chinese front line. Taking fire, Edwards directs the vehicle back to Canadian lines. One Canadian replacement is wounded before even arriving at the unit he is to join. Miraculously the Chinese stop firing, and nobody dies. Wounded fellow (Marrow(?)) was on the operating table within 15 minutes. Edwards does not recall any interactions with 1st Battalion troops. On the role of armour, Edwards remembers them being restricted to support as North Korean T-34s were out of action by this point. (1:11:49-1:27:49) Rotation and After Korea: R+R in Japan was badly timed for Edwards. Casualty kits had not been broken down, and positions had not been cataloged or returned to next of kin. Edwards arranged for these positions be be shipped to Japan, but they were looted by American troops. Edwards arrived in Japan during a Typhoon and spent most of the time sorting out the casualty kit situation. Murray feels the disdain felt by the Active Force for the Special Force never left the army. In his later career, he continued to perceive animosity between those who had served in the 1st and 2nd Battalions. Example: while forming up, 1st Battalion hoarded certain equip shipments like pocket knives. Edwards remained in the military for the rest of his career. He qualified as a paratrooper, was posted for 2 years to West Germany with NATO. Next he was in charge of reserve training in Alberta, then he was with the User Trial Section. After that he was deployed to both Cyprus and the Middle East. When returning to Canada, Edwards was struck by how little people knew of the Korean war. He blames the media, and the comparatively small scale of the Korean conflict relative to World War II for this. He believes that Korea was really not so different from World War II in a tactical sense, and thus there were no major lessons to be learned. He does mention that Canadian troops had little experience with Chinese tactics, and that accommodation had to be made for this. (backtracking) believes artillery support was key at Kapyong. Comparison of load outs between Canadians and Chinese. Readjusting to life out of the military: many men had a hard time, but Edwards believes that men who were coming of age in the 1950s had harder backgrounds than those who make up the forces today. He believes that this is one reason why reported cases of PTSD are much more common today. (1:27:49-1:41:39) Korea Today: Returned to Korea in 2009. Describes change as absolute miracle. Remembers being entertained at banquet and when delivering response to toast, noted to superhuman efforts of the South Korean government, industrialists, scientists, engineers and common people who made it happen. Finds the Koreans very grateful, especially considering their history of foreign occupation. Only bemoans the decision to partition Korea into North and South. Feels that North Korea's aggressive posturing today is at least partially the result of the Stalinist influence, but he also notes a difference between North and South Korea people from even before the partition. Industry in the North, agrarian society in South. Believes farming people are more inclined to peace than industrial people. (1:41:39-1:51:20), and An interview/narrative of Murray Edwards's experiences during the Korean War. Major Edwards served with the Canadian Army. Interview took place on March 13, 2013.
- Subject:
- Armed Forces--Officers, World War (1939-1945), World War (1914-1918), Canada. Canadian Army. Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and Military history
- Contributor:
- Edwards, Murray Campbell, 1920- and Fish, Cameron
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2013-03-13
- 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:
- Germany and England
- Coordinates:
- 51.5, 10.5 and 52.16045, -0.70312
- 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:
- EM_778
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-04-19
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
640. Hickson, George: my Royal Canadian Air Force recollections (March 13, 2013)
- Title:
- Hickson, George: my Royal Canadian Air Force recollections (March 13, 2013)
- Description:
- Interviewee: Hickson, George Edwin, 1926-, An interview/narrative of George Hickson's experiences whilst serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Interview took place on March 13, 2013., ABSTRACT: Part 1: 0-7.45 Born in Lincolnshire, England in 1926; parents Edwin and Gladis; two brothers and a sister, his brothers have both since died. His brothers were born ten years before him as his father had been injured in the First World War. His brothers also both went on to join the forces. 7.46-12.15 Education: public school until the war began. Remembers being fed at school so all the students would be healthy when it looked like war was on the horizon. Younger children were evacuated at the outbreak of war; older children remained and planted potatoes as everything in the town was shut down. 12.16-15.56 Joined the Air Training Core at age 14, volunteer cadet reserve. Joined the Air Force when he was 18. In the Air Training Core they would go on summer camps. Describes a particularly memorable one in 1943. 15.57-22.42 Went to a six months concentrated academic college to boost his education. Then went on to flight training. Some of the air bases were functioning as prisoner of war camps. He had studied German at the college, and was in charge of a group of prisoners for some time. 22.43-28.38 Back into flight training; tells of his flight training and the other people involved. 28.39-30.06 With the troubles in the Middle East, he is relocated to Yemen - describes the historical background of the struggle. It was stopped through political means before it became problematic 30.07-36.09 He goes to fly for the RAF in Iraq, to assist the Iraqi air force against the Kurts from damaging the oil pipelines. 36.10-51.35 Shipped off to Malaya in 1949. Tells of the innovative solution of settling the dispossessed Chinese people, supporting and training them for a few years before they became self-sufficient. Describes how this is the only war against communism that has been won – was not done by armed forces. 51.36-52.28 His release date came up. Previously, while he was in Iraq he was able to go back to England to see Audrey, his wife, and his newborn son. 52.29-57.58 His release date comes up, and he is not permitted to leave yet – needed for an extra year. Moves his son and wife out to Singapore to join him for a year. He went on to have two daughters as well. 57.59- He returns to England, but is posted to resupply aircraft, which he does for three months before taking a position with the civilian anti-air craft operation unit. End of Part 1. Part 2: 0-13.54 Tells of how he and the RAF flew planes to Yugoslavia, which was being pressured by the Soviet Union. Anecdotal story about his interaction with American and Canadian soldiers. He gets sick on the return journey to England and is dropped off to recovery at a military hospital in Germany, and joins in the country’s seasonal festivities. 13.55-30.11 Becomes a civilian staff pilot – flying aircraft to be shot at in training. Describes all the crashes he had been in through his Air Force career. 30.12-56.25 He and Audrey decide to move to Canada, his sister had moved over already and he was paying so much in taxes that there was no reason to stay in England. He came over, joined a reserve squadron in Edmonton, and got a clerical job assessing insurance claims. Tells of how he began to change the systems of the work place to be more personal and efficient. He became an investigator of the claims, describes a few encounters he had. Moves up the ranks of the workplace over the years. 56.26-1.05.27 Auxiliary force, worked alongside his civilian job. Recruiting, training, and benefits of the reserve. Went to staff college through the reserve, which benefitted his clerical job. He also took classes on nuclear warfare, and describes his role with nuclear testing. He had a unit that would be responsible to check how much radiation fallout there was from radiation clouds. 1.05.28-1.07.58 Function of the reserves, and how the future wars will be fought. 1.07.59-1.19.37 More on his workplace and how each incident was a person, each case mattered. He reorganizes the job, and makes it easier to assess claims. 1.19.38-1.28.12 Tells of some of his reserve missions of search and rescue, and his fellow reservists. Was in the Auxiliary for 10 years, 30 years of Air Force service in total. Shows some photos. 1.28.13-1.29.06 Signing the release forms., Rank: Colonel. Medals and Honours: War Medal 1939-1945; General Service Medal (Malaya); Canadian Centennial Medal; Canadian Forces Decoration, and Interviewer: Noon, Cheryl
- Subject:
- Armed Forces--Officers, Canada. Royal Canadian Air Force, and Military history
- Contributor:
- Noon, Cheryl and Hickson, George Edwin, 1926-
- Language:
- eng
- Date Created:
- 2013-03-13
- 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:
- Germany and Yugoslavia
- Coordinates:
- 44, 19.75 and 51.5, 10.5
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Original sound recordings (MOV) 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, oral histories (literary genre), and reminiscences
- Archival Item Identifier:
- HG_791
- Fonds Title:
- Military oral history collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC141
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/military-oral-history-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2013-04-19
- 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 2013. Migration metadata by KD and MT.