Green, Eric Peter: my Northern Ireland experiences (February 25, 2016)
ABSTRACT: Military Oral History Project Interview Summary Narrator: Green, Eric Peter; 1944- Title: An Outsider’s Understanding of the Northern Ireland Conflict Interviewer: Interviewed by Kate Riordon Extent 1 sound recording (MP3) 57:45, 79.3MG Interview Date and Location 25 February, 2016; Cordova Bay, Victoria BC Synopsis: Peter Green joined the British Army while attending medical school in London largely on issues of money and stayed on with the Medical Core (first in Britain and then Canada) until his retirement. He served 2 tours with the 7th Armoured Division in Belfast in the early 1970s and acted as the sole Medical Officer for his entire Battalion, but his responsibilities also brought him into contact with other Companies, local hospitals, and civilians during house calls. While on duty he worked with 4 other men who had all trained together and had developed a great working relationship; they knew how to work perfectly together in extremely high-stress situations. As a Battalion doctor in Belfast, Green witnessed a huge amount of combat, specifically the aftermaths. Life was not easy in Northern Ireland at the time, but there was a strong sense of community among the soldiers that helped to make the situation more bearable. Green’s service in Northern Ireland helped prepare him for conflicts he was involved in later in his career, and is especially pleased with the kind of education he received with the Army. 0:40 – 3:30 – Growing up in south of England; going to medical school and joining the Army in London. 3:31 – 8:03 – Training in Europe & GB prior to going to Northern Ireland. 8:04 – 13:51 – Initial reactions during first tour. 13:52 – 15:16 – Description of Med Core responsibilities. 15:17 – 18:53 – Returning to Belfast for second tour. 18:54 – 22:22 – Working in Lisburn on a special assignment. 22:23 – 23:46 – Anecdote about the loss of the Battalion’s first man. 23:47 – 28:47 – Details of medical responsibilities and reactions to/from locals. 28:48 – 33:25 – Description of life in the barracks/with Battalion. 33:26 – 38:27 – Nature of patrols & anecdote about a hospital trip. 38:28 – 41:05 – Comments on local hospitals & their ability to quickly learn to adapt. 41:06 – 45:54 – Observations on the nature of British Infantry Divisions & loyalty. 45:55 – 48:36 – Description of follow-up visits to Northern Ireland; court appearances. 48:37 – 53:09 – Comparison of Northern Ireland to other deployments. 53:10 – 57:45 – Follow-up questions and closing remarks. Suggested Clip(s) for Archive: 7:30 – 11:44 – Comments on the quickly-changing nature of the Troubles and reactions to that by a Battalion. 18:54 – 20:23 – Description of how Med Core was used for specialty purposes by HQ. 22:44 – 23:47 – Quote about the Battalion’s first death. 25:29 – 26:36 – Explanation of the relationship between Infantrymen and Med Core. 31:16 – 32:25 – Quote about the reactions to attacks on the base. 35:38 – 38:27 – Comment on the nature of memory & anecdote about a hospital trip. 44:05 - 45:54 – Anecdote about the working relationship between different levels of the military in times of stress. Subject Key Words Regular Force, Reserve Army; Med Core training; 7th Armoured Division, Belfast; increased religious tensions; urban guerrilla war; Internment, 1971; Battalion reorganization; Flax Street Mill; Regimental Aid Post; Ardoyne, Belfast; Andersonstown, Belfast; intelligence database project, 1972; interview/interrogation; PIRA; house visits; uncomfortable living situation; armed rover, armoured ambulance; 1st Battalion Green Howards, tradition; court trials, war crimes; Irish problem.
Interviewee: Green, Eric Peter, 1944-
Interviewer: Riordon, Kate
An interview/narrative of Peter Green's experiences in Northern Ireland. Green served with the British Army. Interview took place on February 25, 2016.
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 54.5, -6.5
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recording (MP3) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- GEP_833
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/military-oral-history-collection
- February 25, 2016
- Digital sound recording in .mp3 format at 192 kbps. Recorded in digital format by interviewer, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2016. 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
