Crabtree, Kenneth S.: my Army recollections (August 24, 1982)
PublicABSTRACT: Maj. Kenneth S. Crabtree The Canadian Scottish Regiment Crabtree_K_0043_01.mp3 (Side 1) Born the son of a professional soldier on March 30, 1909 in Oldham, Lancashire (d. 1985?) The family emigrated to Victoria in 1913. Recounts early family life, schooling, etc. (10:00) Left school at an early age to work at the Union Club as a bellboy for a period of three or four years. Considers this to have been a social education in itself. Became a draftsman for Sam Maclure, the well-known architect. Later employed by the provincial civil service as a craftsman-technician in the Highways Department. Joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment (C.S.R.) in 1929, rising to the rank of sergeant in four years. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1935. Qualified as a lieutenant after six weeks summer training with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Discusses customs, uniforms (the cost of which was entirely his responsibility), the considerable demarcation between officers and men, etc. (30:00) Battalion personnel were all very keen: a point of pride that they always turned out a one hundred man Guard of Honour in full dress at the opening of the provincial legislature. On Aug. 26, 1939 three platoons, including himself, were called out for duty. (40:00) Crabtree_K_0043_02.mp3 Took over the guard at the Joint Services Magazine in Colwood. At the time an exciting, but basically routine operation. Comments on mess conventions, feelings toward the war. Despite being totally deaf in one ear he had no trouble carrying out his duties. Sent to Bamfield Cable Station, on guard for three months. Rejoined the battalion at Otter Point Camp. Appointed mortar officer, but no mortars, so made their own for training. Then to Debert, N.S., and overseas. Immediately sent on mortar course. (20:00) Afraid of being left behind in Victoria, he had earlier conned his way past a medical board with a certificate stating that he did not have any infection in his ear! In England the mortar platoon was brought up to equipment strength. Attended both a British and a Canadian battle school, becoming a mortar instructor in the latter. (30:00) Crabtree_K_0043_03.mp3 (Side 2) Promoted to captain. Eventually returned to the C.S.R. as second-in-command of a company. Assault training on the Isle of Wight, 1943. (11:00) Appointed to command infantry reinforcements for the 7th Brigade during the Normandy landings. Sailed from London, landing almost dry-footed on D+1. Posted to the North Nova Scotia Highlanders for two or three weeks, took over the mortar platoon, but eventually returned to the C.S.R. Lost his hearing in his one good ear due to the close explosion of an enemy shell. Returned to England. Hearing recovered, but not allowed to return to action as complete lack of hearing discovered in the other ear. Promoted to major and company commander in a training battalion. Returned to Canada in March 1946. (39:00) Crabtree_K_0043_04.mp3 Rejoined the C.S.R. (militia) in the same year as a company commander. Comments on postwar militia life (45:00) and on the current (1982) situation which, he acknowledged, is quite different from his day, but still as effective. Employed by the provincial Department of Mines, staying until retirement. (05:00)
Interviewee: Crabtree, Kenneth S., b. 1909
Rank: Major.
An interview/narrative of Kenneth S. Crabtree's experiences during World War II. Major Crabtree served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment. Interview took place on August 24, 1982.
Interviewer: Bell, Chris
- In Collection:
- Military training camps
- Canada--Canadian Army--Reserves
- Camp Debert (N.S.)
- World War, 1939-1945--Medical care
- Crabtree, Kenneth S., 1909-1984--Interviews
- Victoria (B.C.)--Social life and customs--20th cent.
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, Canadian
- Maclure, Samuel, 1860-1929
- D-Day, 1944 (Normandy invasion)
- Canada--Canadian Army--Military life
- Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Scottish Regiment.
- Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Infantry Brigade, 7th
- Canada--Canadian Army--Uniforms
- Canada--Canadian Army--Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
- Canada--Canadian Army--Canadian Infantry Division, 3rd
- Canada--Canadian Army Overseas
- Defenses--Canada
- Mortars (Ordnance)
- Canada--Canadian Army--North Nova Scotia Highlanders
- World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--France--Normandy
- 4 sound recordings (MP3)
- 60.10867, -113.64258
- 49, 0
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 120 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- CKS_043
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- May 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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