Coulter, James R. B.: my Navy recollections (May 14, 1980)

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An interview/narrative of James R. B. Coulter's experiences during World War II. Commander Coulter served with the Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on May 14, 1980.

Rank: Commander.

ABSTRACT: Cdr. James R.B. Coulter Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Canadian Navy Coulter_J_0042_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born on May 16, ca. 1920. Brought up in Montreal, attended McGill University, joined the Canadian Officers Training Corps and the 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars. Spent much time during 1939-1940 grooming horses. Friends promoted the attractiveness of the Navy, so he transferred to the naval reserve. Appointed to the second class (1941) at Royal Roads for officer training. (10:00) Accommodated in a large room in the "Castle" with about forty other acting temporary probationary sub-lieutenants where he graduated, after sixteen weeks, as a full-fledged sub-lieutenant and appointed to Windsor, Ont. as training officer in H.M.C.S. Hunter. Posted to H.M.C.S. Algoma (corvette) on the east coast in 1942. (20:00) As gunnery officer and part of a very green crew he sailed on the Halifax, Boston, Newfoundland run. Discusses corvettes, crew, sea-keeping qualities, etc. Sailed for Londonderry in late 1942 as part of the ill-fated convoy SC.107. (30:00) Describes some convoy conditions. They were then especially equipped for the Murmansk run, but instead found themselves part of Operation Torch in North Africa. (40:00) Comments on Gibraltar and watchkeeping in the Mediterranean. (45:00) Returned to the North Atlantic, then to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Quebec City to Goose Bay. Much experience with fog and icebergs. On course at Halifax in torpedo and anti-submarine warfare (T.A.S.), then to that directorate in Ottawa. In 1944 appointed to be term lieutenant to the junior class at Royal Roads. Transferred to the R.C.N. (30:00) In 1945 to England on course and finally a year and a half on a T.A.S. long course. Appointed to the Naval Staff in London. Very hard living conditions in England in the winter of 1947. Returned to Halifax as a T.A.S. training officer. (45:00) Coulter_J_0042_02.mp3 (Side 2) Anecdote re depth charge exercise with United States submarine. Heavy Canadian explosions unexpected. Appointed to H.M.C.S. Ontario (cruiser) in 1949. Comments on several cruises. Posted to command H.M.C.S. Swansea (frigate), despite never actually handling a ship in harbour! In 1951 appointed to captain of H.M.C.S. Crescent ("C" Class destroyer) as a lieutenant-commander. T.A.S. Warfare Directorate in Ottawa for two years. Greenwich, England on course. Promoted in 1955 to commander. (20:00) Captain of the T.A.S. School, Halifax. In command, H.M.C.S. Assiniboine II in 1958. Anecdote re high speed docking in Quebec. Comments on navigation on the St. Lawrence River. (30:00) Commanded the 3rd Escort Squadron off Newfoundland and Labrador coasts. Encounters with Russian trawlers (spy ships). Commanded 7th Escort Squadron of six frigates. (45:00) Appointed to Defence Research Establishment. Commanded Maritime Warfare School. In 1964 he felt that integration of the forces was not to his liking, so he requested his release, which was granted after a posting as naval attache in Washington, D.C. Some comments on the political overtones involved in equipment purchases. The Navy, as he knew it, seemed to be disappearing. Worked as a civil servant for fifteen years, including four for the United Nations which entailed considerable travelling. (14:00)

Interviewee: Coulter, James R. B., b. 1920

Interviewer: Thackray, William S.

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Keyword Date created Relation
  • Part of the Reginald H. Roy collection of interviews.
Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 2 sound recordings (MP3)
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 54.75844, -2.69531
  • 60.10867, -113.64258
Additional physical characteristics
  • One original sound tape reel (ca. 150 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
Physical repository Collection
  • Canadian Military Oral History Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • CJRB_042
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • May 28, 2007
Technical note
  • Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 22 kHz. In .mp3 format at 64 kbps and 22 kHz. Digitized by AN, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2007. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
Rights
  • 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
DOI

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file details Coulter_J_0042_01.mp3 Public
file details Coulter_J_0042_02.mp3 Public