Yas, Max: my wartime experiences (February 26, 2007)
ABSTRACT: Max Yas Max was born in 1922 in Poland. He and his parents came to Canada in 1934 and settled in Granby, Quebec. They soon moved to Montreal where Max attended Baron Byng and Sir George Williams High Schools. In 1942, at age 20, Max joined the Army General Service because 'it was the right thing to do'. Because Max had completed high school and could type (slowly, by his report) he was selected at Longueuil to work in the recruiting centre to process new recruits. His initial training was done in St Jean, followed by advanced training at Ipperwash. At that time, the system was not prepared to deal with the numbers of volunteers. His initiative and leadership skills greatly enhanced the intake process. His work was greatly appreciated, as it improved the recruiting system. In 1945, as a corporal with a wife and a child, and with hostilities having ended, Max was discharged. After his service, Max became a successful businessman. His fondest memory of the war was 'meeting his wife who was in the Air Force'. Max and Jacqueline retired to Victoria about 15 years ago. One day in 1944 the Air Force recruiters in Max's office decided to interview each recruit who qualified for service in the Army. Max's Captain informed him that his duties would include receiving the documents from the successful candidates and taking them over to the Air Force desk. The next day an Air force officer and his assistant arrived and Max carried out his orders by handing over the documents to them. The assistant was the only female in the large office. Max felt the right thing to do was to invite her out for coffee. This went on for some time until they married. As Max stated, 'She got her man, the only one from the Army'.
Interviewer: Fitch, Edward and Sharon
Interviewee: Yas, Max
An interview/narrative of Max Yas's experiences during World War II. Yas served with the Army General Service. Interview took place on February 26, 2007.
- In Collection:
- 1 sound recording (MP3)
- 45.50884, -73.58781
- 48.4359, -123.35155
- Original sound recording (DVF) also available.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- YM_556
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/edward-fitch-collection
- August 28, 2012
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 24 kHz. Interview recorded in digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2012. 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
