Nation, Madeleine: my Army recollections (June 5, 1980)
ABSTRACT: Major Madeleine Nation (Mrs. Arthur F.) British Columbia Women's Service Corps Canadian Women's Army Corps Nation_M_0110_01.mp3 In 1939 Mrs. Nation was asked by Mrs. John Harker to join the British Columbia Women's Service Corps, a volunteer organization established in Victoria in 1938. The object was to prepare women for service in the armed forces in case they were needed. Eventually they received training assistance from the army. In due course Mrs. Nation rose to command the Vancouver detachment. Accompanied Joan Kennedy, senior officer of the Corps, on a cross-Canada tour of similar organizations (1940). Briefed the federal government on their purpose and provided them with a copy of the regulations covering the British women's organization, the A.T.S. Their plans received a setback when the Minister of National Defence was killed in an air crash. However, in July 1941 the Canadian Women's Army Corps came into being. Her daughter, Barbara Nation, enlisted. The British Columbia Women's Service Corps became part of the Canadian Red Cross. Not an entirely satisfactory experience. Mrs. Nation was asked to join the C.W.A.C. as there was a need for French-speaking officers. Joined in 1942 and was posted, coincidently with her daughter, to the officer training unit at Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que. This she found to be a demanding course. Appointed recruiting officer in Montreal, then a staff officer (captain) at Military District No. 3 at Kingston. This headquarters commanded a large number of C.W.A.C. personnel including those in Ottawa. Promoted to major and sent to Pacific Command, Vancouver. Travelled throughout B.C. as a liaison officer. Notes that the C.W.A.C. eventually began to work in operations rooms which, on the Pacific coast, Mrs. Nation feels was very dull work. C.W.A.C. headquarters was in the old Vancouver Hotel where members worked and lived. Great admirer of Gen. Pearkes. Retired from the army when her husband became ill in summer 1945. Comments on some senior C.W.A.C. officers. Nation_M_0110_02.mp3 Returns to a short discussion of the British Columbia Women's Service Corps, the beginnings, personalities, training as cooks, military stenographers, nurses' aides, etc. (32:00)
An interview/narrative of Madeleine Nation's experiences during World War II. Major Nation served with the British Columbia Women's Service Corps and the Canadian Women's Army Corps. Interview took place on June 5, 1980.
Rank: Major.
Interviewee: Nation, Madeleine
Interviewer: Thackray, William S.
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- 45.50884, -73.58781
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 32 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette copy : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- NM_110
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- July 13, 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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