Donaldson, Bill: my service in 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (March 15, 2017)
Interviewee: Donaldson, Bill
An interview/narrative of Bill Donaldson's experiences in 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. Interview took place on March 15, 2017 in Victoria, B.C.
ABSTRACT: Bill Donaldson was a trooper that served in West Germany between 1962 and 1965. In the interview, he speaks of his beginning in the army, and his eventual deployment with the Fort Garry Horse to West Germany in 1962. Speaking of his time in Germany, he relays what the quarters were like, and what daily life looked like for a trooper. He talks about the travel that he would do while on leave, as well as how the troops entertained themselves nightly (hockey and beer). He also talks about his time as part of the Armed Forces back in Canada, particularly during the 1968 election of Pierre Trudeau, and the negative reactions to his review. 0:21-1:38 Growing up and interest in the military, joining of the militia, then regular force. 1:38-2:45 Joining of the Armoured Corps, joining of the Fort Garry Horse, deployment to Germany. 2:45-3:30 Deployment to Germany via ships 3:30-4:00 Arrival in Germany in 1962, talks of the living conditions/ morale of troops 4:00- 5:09Talks about the 4 CIBG (4 CMBG) and the British Army on the Rhine (BAOR), daily life over the next 4 years. 5:09- 6:25 Talks of the exercises the Brigade took part in on all levels, Soviet numbers (i.e. FALLEX). 6:25- 7:32 Return home to Canada, German citizen’s attitudes while they were living there. 7:32-8:16 Service in tank regiments and use of Centurion tanks, transport troops service. 8:16-9:35 More of the return home to Calgary, replacement with the Lord Strathcona’s Horse, training in Camp Borden. Switch to Part 2 file 0:08- 2:40 Armoured Regiments personnel and equipment, changing role in Europe in the 70s, move South, the Trudeau years. 2:40- 4:23 Reduction of the Armed Forces, Fort Garry Horse disbandment, remainder of career in logistics, Army Service Corps. 4:23- 6:22 Job in Reserves, Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, wife’s military career, move to Victoria BC, retirement. 6:22-10:40 Wife’s posting to Norway, further military career, daily life in Germany, tank maintenance. 10:40-17:52 Move to regimental headquarters, Trudeau election, military cuts, unification. 17:52-28:17 FLQ Crisis, Service Battalion time, impact of 4 CMBG gutting, pay for service. 28:18-34:40CMBG contribution to NATO, asset to the BAOR, anecdote about Golan Heights. Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 10:40-17:52- A description of the1968, and how troops reacted back in Canada.
Interviewer: Young, Mary
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 51.5, 10.5
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recordings (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- DB_857
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- March 15, 2017
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2017. 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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