Childerhose, Gary: my armed forces recollections (November 8, 2008)
PublicInterviewer: Anderson, Dana
An interview/narrative of Gary Childerhose's experiences in Bosnia and Croatia. Interview took place on November 8, 2008.
Interviewee: Childerhose, Gary
ABSTRACT: Gary Childerhose Childerhose_G_0560_01.mp3 Grew up in North Bay Ontario. Went to University at Nippissing University in North Bay. Received an Honours History BA.. Joined Algonquin regiment in June 1992. [2:35] Received call, reg force officer application was not accepted, offered position in Royal Canadian Regiment, decided to go as NCO. [3:10] At the end of 1994, he was sent to Gagetown and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment. [4:30] Moved over to TOW platoon which was getting ready to deploy. TOW platoon had been deployed to Bosnia three times before that. [6:25] Left for Bosnia on the 4th Feb 1996. [14:45] When preparing for Afghanistan they do much more cultural awareness training than they did in 1996. [17:00] It makes a big difference knowing more about their culture [20:35] His experience with Bosnians was favourable, they were hospitable. They would put coffee on, and would welcome you in. The kids were always curious. [21:25] They had one on one interaction with the locals during vehicle checkpoints. [2430] People would try to bribe them with food or beer. People would go back with livestock in their backseat. But the soldiers couldn't accept anything, and the people were surprised when they didn't. [25:45] Worst experience was a body exchange at a checkpoint between the Bosnians and the Serbs [32:25] To keep up morale they would have movie nights in the mess. They received 15 minutes of phone time a week. [34:00] His tour in 1996 was "dry," they were not allowed to drink except when they were on leave. [37:25] In 1996 their tour had no combat deaths, until just before they left. A British unit hit a mine and Canadian engineers responded, but lost control of their vehicle. A young sapper named Jalapeno died. [42:00] SFOR and IFOR were "quiet". [49:25] They did a lot of patrolling, his TOW section was assigned the Zenica Valley for patrolling. They patrolled the zone of separation. [45:10] There was a flare up when they first got there. Riding in AVGPs living with Queens Royal Hussars who were having difficulty in Kulen Vakuf. The Croatian military was encroaching into Bosnia. Only way to get there was a single bridge, they had to secure bridge. There were talks on both sides. Went into Croatia to find was in charge. "A little hairy" [47:00] "I just didn't feel comfortable, and a lot of us didn't" During patrolling in winter in Zenica Valley, stopped and found burnt out van. One side had set up an ambush, they weren't sure which. Partial spinal column hanging out side of van. Sitting and eating lunch one day. One guy noticed a shadow underneath. Clearing snow over top. They were parked on a corpse, had been there for over a year, just skeletal remains. [49:00] "Kind of morbid, but his name became ace" Referenced as pogo point on map. Pre known point on map for giving location. [49:50] "It's a morbid sense of humour, it's what you need to do to cope at the time, so that you aren't dwelling on it." [50:25] Media: never saw them, never had any interaction with them. Satellite dish in mess in Zagon. Would see what Skynews was reporting. Not a whole lot of satellite at the time. A BBC channel as well. [51:25] Not a whole lot being reported. Talking about high level strategic stuff, not like today when reporters are imbedded. [52:10] My friends understood, they were military. Parents never liked idea that he joined military. Didn't like his choice but supported him. [53:10] Ethnic cleansing: On large scale didn't see evidence. But did saw disrespect for other side. Muslims don't eat pork. Serbs like pork. In a valley south of Lusci Palanka there were Bosnian Serb farmers. Bosnian Muslims pushed east towards Republic of Srpska. Slaughtered all the pigs in valley. He was there during spring thaw. Could smell it. Could see bloated carcasses of pigs. [56:25] Lot of new graves in graveyards. New headstones. Obvious that there was cleansing, but he didn't have firsthand knowledge. [56:55] Effectiveness of IFOR and SFOR: The mandate was good, it separated the parties. Took as many weapons as possible away from them. [57:40] Differences between 1996 and 1999. In 1996, piles of smouldering garbage. Later, regular garbage pickup, replacement of hydro lines and light standards. There was a huge difference, people wanted to move on. But also wanted to go back to where they were. [58:45] Their house may not there, or somebody may be living there. [59:30] Handling of returning soldiers: In 1996 when he returned, got off plane in Moncton. Signed leave passes. [1:01:00] Changed in 2002. Decompression zone, then had to work half days. Tried to tone things down, had to go see medics and psychiatrist. [1:01:50] "A lot of army guys won't say anything" When he came back from Afghanistan had to do 3-4 half days of work. [1:02:50] He thinks it is beneficial to do so. He knew he was OK, but it allows people. He didn't do decompression, but now they do. Boys get into trouble, hit booze, get into fights. [1:04:00] Then come home and have half days. it allows superiors to see if they are coping. [1:07:40] Canada has learned, try to move forward. Not there yet. They are trying. In the States they have Walter Reid medical facility. for the wounded. They have infrastructure, we don't. [1:08:30] In Petawawa, they set up the Warrior Building. Marriage counseling, personal counseling. Councilors are civilian, don't understand the highs and lows go through.. [1:09:30] Guys are benefitting. They are allowing people to go home if there is suitable medical facility. Ship them to home area. Making attempt to facilitate reintegrate people. [1:13:25] Very old couple. Living in split log home with no chinking. Hadn't seen anyone since November, was march. They adopted the couple. Called them Ma and Pa Kettle. Had so little, throughout tour. Would go to CIMIC, get them clothes, raided kitchen. [1:15:05] "Cow and chicken days" through NGOs and charities. Would give out livestock. and would make sure this couple 1st in line. [1:16:10] The lady made slivovitz, a watered down liquor. Would have shots with her. Her way, to show appreciation. [1:17:00] Dropped wood off for them. [1:20:00] Lot more NGO activities in 1999. UN, World Food Program. [1:20:40] No dead bodies anymore, no remains unless it was a mined area. Still many mined areas. [1:21:20] There was a poor gentleman raising three children. He had a huge facial tumour. They got him in contact with people so he could get surgery. Adopted his kids, got them toys.
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 44.25, 17.83333
- 46.3168, -79.46633
- Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- CG_560
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- November 24, 2009
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Digitized by JF, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. 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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