Walsh, Richard Norman: my Army recollections (March 8, 1985)
Interviewer: Gray, Grant
Interviewee: Walsh, Richard Norman, b. 1913
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel.
An interview/narrative of Richard Norman Walsh's experiences during World War II. Lieutenant-Colonel Walsh served with the Royal Canadian Artillery. Interview took place on March 8, 1985.
ABSTRACT: Lieut.-Col. Richard Norman Walsh Royal Canadian Artillery Walsh_R_0142_01.mp3 Born on March 28, 1913 in Imperial, Sask. Joined the militia (artillery) in Regina in 1930. Within two years qualified as a sergeant. All training done at the armouries, although they did have guns there were no horses to move them! By 1936 he was a battery sergeant-major and occupied that same post when war came in 1939. Called up on Aug. 28, 1939. Describes rations, accommodations, uniforms. Comments that for a time in the 1930's relations with civilians in Regina were not very good. The 18th Battery, R.C.A. became part of the 7th Anti-tank Regiment, R.C.A. which went into training at Shilo, Man. in 1940. The regiment had a total of four two-pounder anti-tank guns for training purposes. Proceeded overseas in 1940. (20:00) Besides training, the regiment defended an airfield and the south coast of England during 1940-41. At the end of 1942 he was sent to an O.C.T.U. and later on a four-month course in anti-tank gunnery. Trained on the six-pounder and later on the seventeen-pounder guns. Sent to a reinforcement unit as an instructor. (30:00) In Oct. 1943 he sailed for Algeria to obtain battle experience with the 6th British Armoured Division. Sent to Italy and, by good fortune, was posted to the 7th Anti-tank Regiment, part of 1st Canadian Corps Troops. Re-equipped with the American M-10 S.P. (self-propelled) anti-tank gun. Troop commander. Describes the battle at Monte Cassino. At the Gothic Line they provided close support for the infantry. Were attached to a wide variety of formations: British, Canadian, Indian, New Zealanders. Little firing against enemy armour, but much against buildings. (48:00) Walsh_R_0142_02.mp3 (Side 2) Heavy fighting before the Rimini Line; first time in action as a complete regiment. Bagnacavallo. Supported the P.P.C.L.I. (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) at the Naviglio Canal. Explains the action of German Teller mines buried in the roadway. Canadian Corps moved to North-West Europe. Exchanged their American guns for seventeen-pounders. In reserve and no real action undertaken. For a short time they acted as infantry, occupation troops in reality. War ended, repatriated to Canada, arriving in Ottawa on July 1, 1945. Remained in the army until 1947. An officer in a militia unit until 1965. (25:00)
- In Collection:
- 2 sound recordings (MP3)
- 48.69096, 9.14062
- 52.16045, -0.70312
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 75 min.) : 3 3/4 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 1 sound cassette : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- WRN_142
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- November 24, 2008
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 32 kHz. Digitized by HC and JF, 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 2008. 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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