Shaw, Colin, H. P.: my Navy recollections (June 27, and August 22, 1978)
PublicRank: Captain.
Interviewee: Shaw, Colin, H. P., b. 1925
An interview/narrative of Colin H. P. Shaw's experiences during World War II. Captain Shaw served with the Royal Canadian Navy. Interview took place on June 27 and August 22, 1978.
ABSTRACT: Capt. Colin H.P. Shaw Royal Canadian Navy Shaw_C_0131_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born on Apr. 8, 1925 in Portsmouth, England. Came from a Royal Navy family. Attended Westminster Abbey Choir School for four years and sang at the Coronation of George VI. In 1940 he was sent to Ottawa, Ont. to finish his schooling (Lisgar Collegiate). In Sept. 1942 entered the Royal Canadian Naval College, H.M.C.S. Royal Roads as a member of the junior term. Both terms lived in the "Castle". Capt. John Grant was a firm, strict, disciplinarian (20:00). Heavy course load: about a dozen academic and naval courses, compulsory sports. Rose at 6:30 A.M., lights out at 9:30 P.M., with little free time available. Discusses leave "ashore", pocket money, fees of $250 per annum paid by parents, occasional cruise. Finished training in 1944, disappointed that the class missed D-Day. Shaw_C_0131_02.mp3 Promoted to midshipman. Explains that permanent force officer training proceeded almost without any influence being exerted by the war. About half the class went to H.M.C.S. Uganda (cruiser), but he was sent to England in Aug. 1944. An aside here about the unification of the Canadian Forces. Minimum effect upon him. In England appointed to H.M.S. Norfolk (cruiser), but as she was in refit he served for two months in motor torpedo boats on east coast convoys. Returned to H.M.S. Norfolk which patrolled the Norwegian coast. Liberation force at Bergen, Norway. Returned the King and Queen of Norway to Oslo in June 1945. Explains some duties of midshipmen. Spent six months in minesweepers in the Far East. standard promotion pattern. In 1947, as a lieutenant, he returned to the R.C.N. By 1948 began to show some changes from the Royal Navy method of organization. Comments on the expansion of the R.C.N. at the time of the Korean War. (45:00) Shaw_C_0131_03.mp3 (Side 2) Appointed to H.M.C.S. Micmac (Tribal class destroyer), but almost immediately a collision at sea put her in dry dock. Posted to H.M.C.S. Warrior (light fleet carrier) where he obtained his carrier watchkeeping ticket. In due course H.M.C.S. Warrior, which was not winterized was exchanged for another carrier, H.M.C.S. Magnificent. In their day the carriers were effective anti-submarine vessels, but perhaps not so much so today as new weapons and technology come into service. (25:00) Appointed a squadron commander at the Royal Military College, Kingston. Feels that the course now, with more emphasis on academics, might turn out better future senior officers, but to the detriment of the "man management" side which was an extremely beneficial facet of the midshipman's experience. (35:00) Air operation control course in England. Posted to H.M.C.S. Shearwater (naval air station) as an air controller. Comments on present day manning situation and the responsibilities of officers and men. (45:00) Shaw_C_0131_04.mp3 Posted to H.M.C.S. Algonquin (destroyer) in the reactivated 1st Canadian Escort Squadron. Lieutenant commander in the navigation directorate in Ottawa. Changing role of maritime forces; problematic economy of keeping old ships operational. Canadian Joint Staff in Washington, D.C. (30:00) Excellent Canadian-American relationship. Appointed captain of H.M.C.S. Lanark (frigate). Advantages of having a good executive officer. First command is always a special case. Later commanded larger vessels. General comment on satisfactory naval career. Integration and unification took up a great deal of time and work. Personally felt able to reduce the emotionalism factor which was prevalent. (48:00)
Interviewer: Main, Chris D.
- In Collection:
- 4 sound recordings (MP3)
- 36.5, 127.75
- 40, 127
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 180 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- SC_131
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- July 24, 2007
- 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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Shaw_C_0131_02.mp3 | Public |
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Shaw_C_0131_04.mp3 | Public |
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